printTour Host Responsibilities
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Logistical Support for Speakers
Housing and Food
Tour speakers need a bed to sleep in and regular meals provided. In the US, sometimes we skip meals because we’re “too busy.” Be cognizant of cultural differences and welcome the speaker, and anticipate potential needs. Those providing housing should also have some Spanish speaking ability.
Hosting a Speaker in Your Home – Mi casa es su casa
¿Se habla español?
It is best to find housing for the speaker with people who have some knowledge of Spanish so that they can communicate and be able to make the speaker feel as comfortable as possible. Please also be aware that the speaker may need to rest more than visit -- depending on the person. Being on tour in a foreign country can be an exhausting experience. The speakers will need periodic rest times. We build rest days into the schedule, and committees are responsible for coordinating and checking in with the city just before and just after their visit to make sure that the speaker gets enough down time.
Some issues to think about/ questions to ask
The person hosting the speaker in their home should be very attentive to the speaker's needs as well as to cultural differences in how basic needs are met. Please try to anticipate the speaker’s needs, such as:
Speakers need good rest and should sleep on a bed, not on a couch.
If there is a difference in gender between the speaker and host, find out if
the speaker is comfortable with that.
Let speaker know what time she/he has to leave the house in the morning and
find out how much time they need to get ready.
Please be sure to give the speaker all of your contact information including
your full name, address and telephone number to carry with him/her.
Does she/he prefer to eat before or after her/his events?
Does the speaker need to do laundry?
Has she/he eaten, does she/he need to make phone calls?
Will the speaker need some time to prepare her/his presentation?
It is important that each person accompanying the speaker know how the committee
plans to pay for meals.
In the mornings, review that day’s schedule with the speaker.
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Transportation
Hosts will meet and send speakers off at the airport, bus or train stop.
In addition, tour hosts will make sure the speaker gets to the presentations
on time in and around the community.
The local committee is responsible for seeing that the speaker gets from one
place to another and on to their next city. The local committee is also responsible
for getting the speaker around to the events that they have organized and are
responsible for covering these costs.
Please be sure to coordinate arrival and departure times for the speaker with the organizers in the region before and after you to make the travel as smooth as possible. The itinerary will include contact information for each tour stop.