Dedicated welcome for English speakers: our charter to do our utmost
This label is a quality charter which aims is to provide a welcome English-speaking visitor in their native language and provide them with specific services during their stay. Today, the welcoming community is active in the Vendée with dynamic animation by more than 200 partners and Vendée Tourism.
The "Welcome" label was created in 2014 to attract British and English speaking visitors to the regions of Brittany, Normandy, and Pays de la Loire.
The objective was to create a “welcoming community”, with the support of local Tourist Offices and tourism professionals (accommodation providers, restaurateurs, places of visits, activities etc...).
How does it work?
Tourism professionals need to sign the charter and in doing so, are committed to fulfilling various criteria laid down by their Charter. Once in place the label remains valid over a 3-year period.
Each establishment that is part of this “welcoming community” receives a pale blue panel - "Welcome".
Setting up a quality welcome, here is what’s involved
By becoming part of the label each establishment will receive its own charter. Here are some of the criteria they need to respect:
- Staff need to be able to understand, speak and communicate in English with visitors, whether it is in writing, over the phone or face to face.
• All relevant data needs to be translated into English in the Tourist Information System (S.I.T.) of the area.
• Specific information concerning the establishment is in English.
- Flyers in English,
- Signs with "English spoken here" made visible,
- Visits/guided tours in English,
- Guide tours or audio descriptions translated in English.
- Information signposts /information panels/Entrance pricing panels/ Activity instructions/ Security notices… are translated.
• Tourist documentation on the surrounding area in English (Vendée Tourisme brochures, brochures from the local Tourist Office, list of markets in English, etc.)
• Additional specific welcoming gestures that go beyond what the visitor expects to find. And which are not part of the establishment’s usual services.
- All paperwork (vouchers, booking forms, e-mails) in English,
- Rental contracts in English,
- Welcome meetings in English/ French,
- Children activities/ booklets/games are in French and English,
- Opening hours & Emergency numbers,
- Prices displayed in English,
- Restaurant Menus translated (vegetarian dishes available),
- How to obtain Wifi access,
- Welcome gift/packs,
- English newspapers.