Hosting guests from overseas has many benefits, for example, they may want to book for longer stays than someone who is just coming for a weekend away or a work event, and it's a great way to meet and learn from people from other countries. There are a few things you may need to provide and consider to give them the best possible stay.
Arrival
It may be the first time your guests have visited your country or town and so they will appreciate any directions and information on how to get to your home. Let them know which stations have a lift or escalator, as they might be travelling with big, heavy bags.
If they are self checking in, make sure you give clear instructions on how to do this.
Show them around your home. They may be tired when arriving, so don't expect them to remember everything you've said, or necessarily be very chatty. I put all the relevant information in a welcome book which they can read later and a few notes around the home so they know they are welcome to help themselves to toiletries, refreshments, etc.
Your guests may not feel like going straight back out to get food, so along with drinks such as tea and coffee, I make sure there are a few pastries, snacks and bread so they have something to eat if they are hungry.
They may have spent a long time travelling and are looking forward to a nice hot shower, so ensure the shower or bath is available for them to use on arrival.
A flexible check in, or luggage drop off, will be appreciated by guests travelling from abroad as their flights, coaches or trains could arrive any time during the day or night. They may also experience delays, resulting in checking in later than planned. A flexible check out or opportunity to leave their bags until their flight leaves later that day is also appreciated, if possible.
Feeling comfortable in your home
One of the most important things you can do for your guests is to make them feel comfortable in your home, for example, by making sure they know which rooms they are welcome to use, making things safe and accessible for them, providing things they might find useful and showing you have made an effort to make them feel welcome.
If you provide a welcome sheet or pack, write it in simple language to assist those who aren't fluent in your language and for those who want to translate it. If you're able to, you could provide it in different languages, or as an online document so they can translate it quickly into their language.
Put notes in places you want guests to do certain things, so they feel confident they are doing the right thing, for example, helping themselves to food and drink or toiletries. Let them know which taps to use for drinking water, what you can and can't put down the toilet, if you want them to leave their shoes in the hallway, whether you want them to do their own washing up or not, how to use appliances, whether you want them to lock the front door, and where to dry clothes if you don't have a dryer.
If you provide food, make sure the ingredients are listed, to avoid guests accidently eating something they dislike or are allergic to. You might want to give them a taste of your local food, for example, biscuits that were made in your local area or a cake your region is known for. I provide a range of utensils for guests, for example, forks, knives, different sizes of spoons and chopsticks.
It's advisable to provide towels in a range of sizes as guests from different countries are used to using different sizes. I provide each guest with a hand towel, bath towel and bath sheet, not only to give options but it's also useful if a guest has more than one shower a day. I also have additional spare towels should a guest require them.
I provide a Smart TV in the room, which has Netflix for guests who want some familiarity. I also provide a few suggestions of British TV programmes to watch, choosing shows that can be picked up easily (without any need for background knowledge).
It's a good idea to provide Wi-fi for your guests. Having access to the internet gives your guests a resource for looking up what to do and how to get there, buying tickets, checking in online, communicating with family back home, accessing their bank accounts, being able to work remotely, and streaming shows on their phone, etc.
Make sure there is enough space for your guests' suitcases and bags. Some people may wish to unpack so their case could be tucked away somewhere, whereas others may wish to keep their items in their bag, so a luggage rack could be useful. I provide luggage weighing scales so guests can check if their souvenirs have added any weight to their luggage.
Travelling light
Save your guests some room in their suitcase by providing essential items, such as travel adapters, adapters for electric toothbrushes, USB ports, towels, hairdryer, shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. Let them know you provide these items in advance to save them packing them.
Getting around
Give your guests all the relevant information to help them know how to get around, for example, the route from the airport or centre of town and how to get to your home from the bus stop, train or tube station. With your local knowledge you will be able to direct them to the best routes, whether it's the quickest, cheapest or giving them suggestions of things to see and do along the way. You could also send them links to any local transport apps.
You can make things a bit easier for your guests, for example, if there is a bus stop nearby, let them know which side of the road they need to be to go in a certain direction, and tell them how the payment system works for the different types of transport, for example, if you have to buy tickets in advance.
Different climate
Guests from overseas will come from a variety of climates and a temperature difference may have an impact on how hot or cold they feel in your home. They will also be used to certain ways to cool down or warm a room, such as air conditioning or underfloor heating and so if you don't provide these, your guests may feel hotter or colder than you might anticipate.
Depending on your budget, you could provide extra heaters, cosy blankets, warm dressing gowns, cosy socks or slippers and warm drinks for guests to warm up, or fans, thin sheets and some ice cubes or ice creams in the freezer for guests to cool down.
Guests may not always think of everything they need to bring for your climate and so, for example, I provide an umbrella for my guests, just in case they haven't thought to bring one.
Different country
Everyday things for you can be the unknown for guests, for example, overseas guests in the UK wouldn't be aware that supermarkets have different prices for their items if you have a loyalty card or that you have to pay for a shopping bag if you don't bring your own.
You might want to explain in your welcome pack any things that are potentially different in your country to theirs, for example, rules about crossing roads, picking wild flowers, etc.
The nature on your doorstep might be a new experience for your overseas guests. For example, common birds to you may seem 'exotic' to them.. I provide a pictorial information sheet in my welcome pack showing guests which birds they might see whilst they are staying in my home.
Let them know the opening times for shops, public transport running times and if there's a national holiday (resulting in some things being closed), and give details for local medical and emergency services.
Even if your guest speaks the same language as you, the terminology can be different, see Different Meanings for differences in the English language with overseas guests.
You might find your overseas guests contact you sometimes whilst they are out, to ask you things, so keep your phone close by, or let them know times you're not available.
Attractions and entertainment
Your guests will probably have come with some ideas in mind of what they'd like to see or do. Let them know if there are any tips for these, for example, where to get cheap tickets, a good time of day to visit etc. You might also be able to suggest somewhere else they can go nearby that they're not aware of, for example another attraction or a good place to eat.
Put some information out for guests for local attractions and day trip ideas, including any events taking place. I provide a calendar in their room showing any events coming up. This gives them ideas of where to go (or not to go if they want to avoid busy crowds).
Patience and understanding
Visitors from overseas may have different views of the world. They may also have different customs, traits and habits to you. For example, in some countries the bathroom is a wet room and so your guests may not think twice about leaving a bathroom floor soaking wet, some guests may put toilet paper in the bin, if that's what they are used to, others will not be used to taking their shoes off in the house, so make sure there is somewhere obvious for them to put them.
Different countries have different food etiquettes, for example it could be deemed rude not to accept a drink, and leaving no food on your plate can be seen as your host didn't provide enough food in some cultures, whereas it's a sign that you enjoyed your meal in others. Similarly there are variations with eating with your hands.
Your guests may be jetlagged whilst staying with you and so have a different sleeping pattern for a while. This might mean they are wanting to put the kettle or microwave on at 3am and are fast asleep in the middle of the day.
Guests from overseas may not necessarily know your language, or be fluent in it. I feel I have had several conversations with guests that afterwards I've wondered if they've understood anything I've said, but it's good to try! If they aren't fluent then be patient when they are trying to ask something and reply as simply as you can, maybe showing them things online to illustrate what you are saying, for example attractions to see or transport routes to take. There are also apps you can use to translate what you and your guests want to say to each other. I have a white board in a communal area in which I might write a note to my guests or they can use it to write anything, giving them the option to communicate without feeling on the spot. As my guests book through Airbnb, they can also contact me via Airbnb, or you could give them your Whatsapp details.
Hosting overseas
If you're hosting in another country, try to learn the local way of doing things as you may get guests book from the country you're hosting in and they might have expectations that your home will follow their customs, etc.
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