Unit 3

Welcoming tourists and providing their transport. Dealing with customer enquiries

Accompanied Transfer

1  ________________________

Hello, everyone. I’m Simona and I'd like to welcome you all to Malta on behalf of Sky Tours. Our driver is Max Borgq a very experienced driver who has been working for our company for ten years. The bus ride to your hotel in San Julian’s will take about twenty minutes from The Malta International Airport here in Luqa. Right now I'd like to take a minute to inform you about the area and discuss some safety precautions. Please, remain seated and keep your seatbelts fastened. Also, during your holiday the temperature will be very high, so make sure that you drink enough water. We also recommend you to use sunscreen to avoid sunburn.

2 ________________________

I‘m sure you‘ll enjoy your stay in San Julian’s. This is a beautiful, lively town where you can eat out at fancy restaurants and go to exquisite nightclubs where you can enjoy entertainment and dancing. Most nightclubs are in the district of Paceville where is your hotel as well. The town is subdivided into informal districts which are Paceville, St Andrew's, and two more as well as the regions surrounding St George's Bay, Spinola Bay, Balluta Bay, and Il-Qaliet cliffs. Balluta Bay is a popular recreation spot used for swimming, diving and water sports, with a triangular pjazza surrounded by cafés and shaded by Judas trees.

3  ________________________

You are very lucky because the St Julian's feast is always held on the last Sunday of August. It coincides with your holiday and you will witness and take part in the celebrations which are absolutely spectacular. Also, Sky Tours offers a variety of special discounts depending on your travel plans. There will be a short information session in the hotel lobby at 10 am tomorrow where you can learn all about these offers. Please take my advice and allow Sky Tours to book all of your day and boat trips and activities while you are here. You’ll get the best prices and discounts possible along with the best quality of services.

4 ________________________

If you need to pay for goods and services, you can use your credit cards. If you carry cash with you, it should be in small amounts.  Also, if you want to explore the island, we recommend that you use public bus transport. The 7-Day 'Explore Card' offers the best value for you. You can use it everywhere in Malta and Gozo. The card covers unlimited travel for a week and is valid for night routes, too. For some destinations you could also take a taxi. You could also use the ferry to the capital city of Valletta. In general, the distances are short and it doesn’t take much time to go from place to place. But I don’t suggest renting a car if you aren’t an experienced driver.

5 ________________________

We'll be arriving at the hotel in just a few minutes. Dinner is at 8 pm. Please sit back and enjoy the view of the Mediterranean Sea on the left hand side of the bus as we enter the town. Please remain in your seats until we have arrived at the hotel. The porter will be meeting us to help you with your bags. Please double check to make sure your bags have been taken off the bus and your personal belongings are not left there. On behalf of Sky Tours have a wonderful holiday in Malta!

Tour guide: A                    Tourist: B

MINI-DIALOGUE 1:

A: Now, while we are waiting to be checked–in, is a good time for questions. If you have any, please don't hesitate to ask me.

B: Yes, I have one. Where can we have a drink nearby?

A: Well, that's an easy one! Apart from the two bars in the hotel, you can try Sky Bar which is a five-minute walk from here. It not only offers great cocktails but also breathtaking views of the city because it’s a rooftop bar situated on the highest floor of the shopping centre.

B: Sounds great. How do I get there?

A: When you are outside the hotel, turn left. Then you’ll see it on your right in a few minutes. You can’t miss it.

B: Thank you! I have another question. I’d like to know if there are any contemporary art galleries around here?

A: Unfortunately, the area with most art galleries is too far from here on foot but I can give you a map of the city. It shows where this area is. You can use bus number 5 to get there. Here is the timetable of the bus company. Get off at the fifth bus stop and you can visit a few good art galleries around there. Most of them are on May Street.

B: Thanks! It’s appreciated.

A: My pleasure.

Tour guide: A                    Tourist: B

B:  Excuse me, I have a question.

A: No problem. That's what I'm here for.

B: Are we allowed to take photos of the exhibits inside the art museum?

A: Oh, I'm glad you asked that. I forgot to mention that taking photos inside the art museum is forbidden. You can take photos outside it, you know it’s a historic building and the architecture is really beautiful. And if you are really interested in the paintings, you could buy a catalogue at the museum shop, the smaller ones are at a reasonable price.

B: It’s a good idea. And what time will we be stopping for lunch?

A: After visiting the museum we'll have a break at 1 pm and meet back at the bus at 2.30 pm sharp.

B: Thank you.

A: No worries.

Tour guide: A                    Tourist: B

MINI-DIALOGUE 3:

A: Now we have to wait for a while here because our coach is coming in a few minutes. Is there something I can help you with?

B: Excuse me, yes, I have a question.

A: Sure, go ahead.

B: I‘d love to take a horseback riding tour. Is it possible to arrange one for two people for tomorrow?

A: Certainly, Madam. We have a two-hours tour leaving at 1 pm at Aurora Horsing Club.

B: Can you tell me how to get there?

A: Don´t you worry about that. Sky Tour provides transportation and a guide.

B: That’s great. When should I pay?

A: You can pay now and I can give you the vouchers straight away.

B: Thanks a lot.

A: My pleasure.

Tour guide: A                    Tourist: B

MINI-DIALOGUE 4:

A: The coach still hasn’t arrived here and we have a few more minutes, waiting here, at this charming square. Any other questions?

B: Excuse me, is there a way to see the wildlife around here?

A: Sure. You could go to Comino Bird Sanctuary which is a great spot for bird-watching. Comino is a small rocky island between Malta and Gozo. It has 2 small sandy beaches, cliffs and almost all the island is covered with garrigue*. Only 4 people live on Comino so the island is almost untouched. It is a bird sanctuary where hunting and trapping are prohibited all year round. Comino is very interesting for its rich fauna and flora, especially migratory birds.  Now a Bird Ringing Project is being held and during this period, large numbers of birds are being ringed and released so it’s the best time to visit it.
B: I’m really fascinated. Can’t wait to visit this island. How do I get there?

A: Catch bus number 45, stop at the Comino ferries at Cirkewwa and catch the boat to the island. Here is the timetable.

B: Thank you.

A: You’re welcome. If you’d like to spend the day bird-watching, then make sure to take a packed lunch and drink with you or book lunch at the only hotel on the island.

B: Great! Thanks for the information.

A: My pleasure.

* a low open scrubland with many evergreen shrubs, low trees, aromatic herbs, and bunchgrasses found in poor or dry soil in the Mediterranean region

A: Now, everyone, be ready for a truly idyllic experience. Punting is a really old past-time activity. It has been done for more than a century. This chauffeured punt ride on the River Cherwell is going to last for half an hour. From time to time the punt may sway a little so don’t worry about it, it’s normal.

B: This thing is safe, right?

A: Yes, of course. The chauffeur is experienced and has done hundreds of punting rides.  Actually, this service has been going on for ages without any accidents. Keep your eyes open for the famous Botanical Gardens. And to the left are Christ Church Meadows, where Lewis Carroll wrote the famous Alice Through the Looking Glass and Alice in Wonderland.

Now, if you look up straight ahead, you should be able to see the beautiful Botanic Gardens, the oldest one in the UK. It homes over 5,000 plant species, can you imagine it?

Woman: What’s that building to the right?

Guide: I’m glad you asked. That’s Magdalen College founded in 1458. Isn’t it beautiful? It is best known for its architecture and the famous Deer Park, also known as Magdalen Grove, home to a herd of deer. Oh, look everyone. This is the iconic Great Tower, Magdalen’s bell tower. It is the tallest medieval tower in Oxford. Can everyone see it there?

B: Thanks! That should be a great photo!

A: And now we’re reaching University Parks, a lovely park, planted with rare and native trees. It is home to Oxford University Cricket Club and a great spot for picnics.

B: Is this the end of the ride?

A: Well…We could head back to the Boathouse…

B: What a shame! It’s wonderful here.

A: Well, if we are feeling inspired and adventurous, then our chauffeur will continue south towards the Isis the local name for the River Thames and you will have the chance to enjoy some

breathtaking views.

B: That’s great. Let’s go on.

A: Does everybody agree?

B: Sure. We don’t want to miss anything.

A: All right. Let’s continue.