Why Tourism Translation Is Important? 2024 Comprehensive Guide
Tourism translation can be an important role in the travel industry as it can help travel agencies and hotels to reach consumers from all around the world. It can also help to boost the country economy. The target language depends on the audience they intend to target.
Nowadays, it is getting easier to book tickets and hotels as people can book online. Websites definitely need to be in a language that targeted audience understand. But it doesn’t mean traditional travel agencies can’t do anything. There may people prefer to go to them if they are travelling in a big group. Translating brochures, advertisement, and other marketing material is a way to promote themselves.
When doing tourism translation, you definitely want a maximum effect to boost your agency’s sales. You will want to get it done right. Let’s take a deep dive into what is tourism translation all about. You will get a better idea at the end of the article.
Reasons Travel Agencies Should Do Travel Translation
1. The Growing Demand In Tourism
The tourism industry is continuously growing. Malaysia has always been promoting tourism in the country. The Tourism Malaysia has launched a travel campaign called Cuti-Cuti 1Malaysia Dekat Je’ to encourage the locals to travel the places nearby them.
Malaysia is a place where there is mainly 3 races. To cater to all Malaysian, you may consider translating your marketing material may include English, Chinese, Malay, or even Hindi. It may be costly to translate into all these languages, you may include certain language depending on your target audience.
Malaysia is also promoting Malacca in 2024 to attract tourist from overseas. It is also important to translate the info to the targeted language that is required. This is to ensure tourist are able to access the information they needed.
2. Building Trust With Customers
Customers need to trust you before they purchase your travel package. Whether is original text or translated text, the information provided need to be accurate and reliable. This help to build trust with customer.
Translating the content allows tourist to read the information in their native language. It helps them to understand on what you want to express. They will have a positive experience as it helps to eliminate misunderstanding.
3. It Helps With SEO
This part will help more on translating online content. SEO refers to search engine optimization. Using SEO strategy correctly will help to rank your content higher on search engine.
When implementing SEO strategy into your translated content, it is not all about just translating the original content. This will also involve keyword research. The keyword that users will search will be different in each language.
It is not easy to get your website rank. The content should be well-translated and also using proper keyword research. Your translator should have a basic understanding of SEO.
4. Expanding Market Reach
Translating information into languages that your target audience helps you to expand market reach. English is an international language where most countries will be using, but not everyone may understand the language fluently.
Translating the information into language that your target audience understand helps them to understand more. They will feel more comfortable reading their native language. It can attract a broader audience.
Tips When Doing Travel Translation
1. Decide Words That Tourist Understand
Tourism translation may not be as easy as you think. Although there are not much technical terms needed to be use, there are certain details that you need to pay attention on.
For example, in the travel industry, they tend to use a more friendly message, they often use informal speech and native idioms. It could make the message confusing. Translators may need to understand the message before they start translating.
As tourist industry is dealing with consumers that are not familiar with the travelling industry, info that are translated need to be accessible.
2. Localisation
Localisation is important when doing translation. You can’t just translate the text and attract people from different background to visit your website or take your brochures to read. Change the wording, content or writing style for localization purpose. You wouldn’t want to drive away your target audience using the wrong word.
Localising can be converting currencies, unit of measurement, and even cultural and historical that makes you unique. Try to avoid things like religious reasons that drive people away.
4 Main Types Of Information For Tourism Translation
- Accommodation
One main area you need to do translation in the tourism industry will be the accommodations. From hotel to Airbnb, information should be translated for foreigners to read. Info should be including room description, booking info and polices. This allows international guest to understand what they will expect during their stay.
- Brochures and Guides
Brochures and guides are often taken by tourists to understand the destination they are visiting. By translating the brochures and guides, it helps tourists to understand the information and plan their trip.
- Websites and Social Media
Most travellers will do researching online before planning their trip. The main platforms includes websites, blogs, and social media. Translating the content in these platforms allows international and audiences to reach you and find useful information they need.
- Customer Support and Communication
Effective communication with customers is vital in the tourism industry. Translating customer support materials, such as FAQs, email responses, and chat support, ensures that non-native speakers can get the help they need in their language. This enhances customer satisfaction and builds loyalty, as travelers feel valued and understood.
Challenges In Tourism Translation
- Cultural Sensitivity
It is important to understand the cultural as different cultural has different values and beliefs. The message must be translated accurately or it might offense others. For example, some culture may prefer direct communication, while others may not. You need to be aware of the differences when doing the translation.
- Idiomatic Expressions and Slang
Idiomatic expressions and slang is another area that often translators will face when translating a document. This is because idiomatic expressions and slangs are often use in a specific language and culture, but not often use in other languages. It can be hard to translate accurately.
Translator will need to understand the meaning behind the idiomatic and slang before translating it. This will help the translator to be more creative and flexible when doing the translation. They will find equivalent expressions in the target language to express the meaning and tone.
Hi, I’m Joanna
All My ArticlesLiving in Malaysia as a freelance translator who translate English to Chinese and vice versa. Besides, I also provide SEO article writing to help to boost traffic to your website.