French waiters told to smile at tourists

09 April 2002 by
French waiters told to smile at tourists

France's waiters are being asked to sign a contract agreeing to smile at foreigners.

The move is part of a French government's annual "Bonjour" campaign to promote their tourism workers as people who are friendly to foreign visitors.

Everyone working in the tourism industry is being asked to sign a binding agreement pledging to give a "high-quality welcome" to tourists.

Those who agree are given a sticker to put in the window of their business featuring a smiling face and the slogan, "Bonjour. In France the smile comes from the heart!"

Similar campaigns have been run in France for the past eight years.

So far, 40,000 tourist industry professionals have agreed to be nicer to foreigners in the 2002 summer season.

Although France is the the world's top tourist destination with 75 million visitors a year, its earnings from tourists rank it only third after the USA and Spain.

French tourism spokesman Xavier Mahe said: "Tourists spend proportionally less in France that they do in other countries.

"The industry has become increasingly competitive and foreign visitors are more and more demanding.

"Little things like a friendly face and helpful staff weigh heavily on the decision of whether to return."

French tourism director Bruno Farneniaux added: "French workers must learn a different approach to foreign visitors. For instance, taxi drivers and waiters must be more aware of their role as ambassadors of French culture."

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