Everyone wants to be the perfect host when running a homestay. Good experiences will mean good reviews, which in turn encourages more visitors to choose you. These recommendations will offer would-be language learners a real insight into what the experience at your home is like.
Making a great first impression is key when making your guests feel at home. Presenting each one of your new guests with a welcome basket is a lovely touch that’s certain to be appreciated - particularly if they’ve travelled a long way to get there.
The question is, what do you include in the basket? Read on, for our welcome basket essentials.
Be more than a homestay business
The homestay differs vastly from staying at a hotel or renting an apartment. In addition to delivering an immersive environment for language learning, a homestay provides a personal cultural experience that has the potential to create memories that will last a lifetime. Starting out on a personal note by writing a welcome letter is highly recommended.
Your welcome letter can include all sorts of useful information, like directions to local amenities, wifi passwords, house rules, and contact details. Additionally, including a personal note from host to guest is a really nice idea. GuestReady offers some great welcome letter writing advice for Airbnb hosts, which works equally well for homestays:
“Try to make your welcome letter as personal as possible. Share something about yourself and why you love living where you live. Offer up ‘insider tips’ about the local neighbourhood – whether it’s your favourite green space to go for an evening stroll or the cafe that does the best coffee. If there are events happening in your city during their stay, be sure to mention them. This is a wonderful way of letting guests know that you want them to have the best stay possible and that you value them as a guest.”
Make items useful
Your welcome basket should be useful. Those taking on long journeys to stay with you will appreciate the conveniences of toiletries, particularly if they arrive late at night and can’t nip down to the shop to stock up. Think soap, shampoo and conditioner, lotion, chapstick, deodorant, and toothpaste.
The same can be said for food items, with simple teas and biscuits providing a suitable temporary cure for jet lag, tiredness, or travel-induced hunger. Tackling homesickness is another challenge faced by many homestay business hosts. Ensure your guests can stay in touch with loved ones back home by supplying them with a topped up international calling card as part of their welcome basket.
Share your culture
Your welcome basket can provide a first taste of the culture and excitement that all guests can expect from the homestay experience ahead. Include a bevy of locally sourced gifts in your welcome basket to give your homestay business an added touch of authenticity. Local markets provide plenty of food for thought.
Want more top tips for giving your guests a warm welcome? Browse this essential guide and provide the best, most authentic and a truly amazing experience to each guest who chooses your homestay business.
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