In this module you will find a story about the tourism industry: read the dialogue between the characters and choose which is the correct way to behave in each situation!
Adam is the president of the Hoteliers Union of a big rural region and the owner of two big hotels in the region.
Adam has been noticing during the last years, that many of the tourists were seniors, aged over 60. He has also been informed that many had expressed some complaints about their comfort staying at the hotels, regarding the accessibility conditions, about the local transport and lack of support when visiting the countryside. Adam has arranged a meeting with the tourism manager of the Prefecture to ask advice and support for improving the situation in order to satisfy the access needs of senior visitors and, hopefully, attracting more to the region.
Adam: We have reports from some hotels and also from some local businesses that many of the tourists in our region are seniors, but they are not fully satisfied with many things. In my hotels we have got some negative feedback about the limited space in guestrooms, lack of roll-in showers in the bathrooms, which are much more comfortable for them, and also lack of information and offers regarding outdoor activities and excursions. Potential visitors have been asking about wheelchair-accessible taxis or buses. Some nearby restaurants have also told us that visitors have been asking for special diet menus. We had a meeting with our Union members, and some have realised that we should make improvements, but the majority of the hoteliers are not convinced yet. I believe this is quite important for the whole region and I want to discuss with you how we can get your support for a more general plan and funding.
Manager: This is interesting information. I did not know about any complaints. I know that many seniors are visiting the region and have been asking for organised activity programmes but we have not made a start yet, as we do not have enough knowledge about this.
What should the Tourism manager of the region have done in this situation?