Jessica
European hospitality businesses are generally small—employing less than 50 people on average for 70% of the year. Yet European hotels employ over nine-and-a-half million people. In 2012, the UK alone saw more than 31 million overseas visitors, who spent more than £18.5 billion (almost $30 billion)
What does all that information really say? It says that Europe knows how to treat their guests.
European holidays and European vacations are a staple of international travel for people the world over. The abundance of distinct countries and cultures living side-by-side has fostered a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere among most of the nations of Europe, and nowhere is this attitude more evident than in the tourism industry.
The rich history and natural beauty of Europe draw people in—but it also doesn’t hurt to have some of the best hotels in the world. Four-star hotel accommodations can be found in nearly every major European city, all with the personal touch and attention to detail that only smaller staffs can provide. In a land where neighbors still call on neighbors, and friends drop by for dinner, unannounced but welcome, it should come as no surprise that the hotel industry is no less inviting.
And where else but in Europe can you find such a wide array of hotel options, from the more modern comforts of big-city life to a quaint bed-and-breakfast in the country to completely renovated 16th Century castles? And the best hotels take advantage of the abundant history of the area. Walk in Shakespeare’s footsteps. Hear a pipe organ that Bach played. Dine in the same hall where heads of state have met to discuss the division of empires. Nowhere else on the planet can compare.
Even if you’ve been to Europe many times before, there’s always something new to discover. With the friendliest people, the finest assortment of cuisines, and some of the best hotels in the world, it’s easy to see why Europe was, and still is, one of the great cultural centers of the world. See this link for more.
I’ve heard from a lot of people that the French aren’t all that welcoming, but I think nothing could be further from the truth. I’ve been to four different areas of France, and have been greeted with nothing but warmth and generosity.