FRIENDLINESS INITIATIVE:RUDE SPANIARDS are being taught how to be polite to Irish holidaymakers in a desperate bid to revive the country's flagging tourism industry.
Taxi drivers, hotel receptionists and shopkeepers are having lessons in friendliness to shred their “grumpy” image among holidaymakers.
They are learning polite English phrases such as “make yourself at home” and “have a nice day”. Cabbies are also being told to ensure their taxis smell nice and not to drive too fast.
Tourism chiefs are reacting after the number of tourists visiting Spain has plummeted in recent months.
A €40,000 pilot scheme was launched this week in Lanzarote. Called Lanzarote Cordial, the project aims “to create the perception that the island is a destination of friendly and cordial people”. It also hopes “to demonstrate [to tourists] that their visit is appreciated”.
The Canary Islands, and especially Lanzarote, are traditionally Ireland’s favourite winter-sun destination. But last month 17 per cent fewer Irish tourists visited the islands compared with the figure for February 2008. Similar percentage drops were recorded for British visitors.
The figures are potentially devastating for the Canaries, where the economy is heavily dependent on tourism.
The average Irish tourist visiting the islands stays for nine days and spends €110 per day. A spokesman for the Canaries tourist board says: “We are working very hard to win the Irish market.”
If the scheme, run by Lanzarote Chamber of Commerce, is deemed a success, it is expected to be copied in other tourists hot spots around Spain.