Cultural Dimensions for Hospitality: Egypt and US Visitor Expectations

Posted on Dec 31, 2025 in Public Administration, Management, and Governance

Six Cultural Dimensions

  1. Power Distance (Low vs High Power Distance)
  2. Individualism vs Collectivism
  3. Masculine vs Feminine Cultures
  4. Uncertainty Avoidance (Low vs High Uncertainty Avoidance)
  5. Short- vs Long-Term Orientation
  6. Indulgence vs Restraint

Culture Map Importance

  • Invisible boundaries (Límites que existen pero no se ven — ¿Le interrumpo o no le interrumpo?)
  • Open-minded (No basta con respetar; hay que aprender conscientemente de la otra cultura)
  • 8 Cultural Scales:

Eight Cultural Scales

  1. Communicating – High vs Low Context
  2. Evaluating – Direct vs Indirect Negative Feedback
  3. Persuading – Principles-first vs Applications-first
  4. Leading – Egalitarian vs Hierarchical
  5. Deciding – Consensual vs Top-down
  6. Trusting – Task-based vs Relationship-based
  7. Disagreeing – Confrontational vs Avoids Confrontation
  8. Scheduling – Linear-time vs Flexible-time

Communicating (Transmitir info)

  1. High vs Low-context
  2. Homogeneous vs Mixed cultures
  3. Explicit vs Unclear idioms
  4. Good communicator — Do not judge based on your own cultural criteria; understand their culture.
  5. Meetings — Hablar o no (speak or not)

Evaluating (Feedback)

  1. Direct (Netherlands, Russia) vs Indirect (UK, Thailand)
  2. Downgrades (may be, you could, a bit, kind of) vs Upgrades (totally, absolutely)
  3. Consequences of feedback (Consecuencias del feedback)
  4. Strategy (Estrategia de Meyer) — Cómo dan el feedback en ese país; ajusta el tono y pide ejemplos (reduces la ambigüedad).

Scheduling (Percepción del tiempo)

  1. Linear (A, B, C) vs Flexible (varias cosas a la vez, cambios)
  2. Origin of the difference (Origen de la diferencia)
  3. Time-relationship ratio (horario exacto vs cuidar la relación)
  4. Typical problems (ej.: sueco frustrado con saudí)
  5. Meyer strategies
  1. Definir el “on-time” de cada uno desde el principio
  2. Mixed systems (leave some time to spare)
  3. Don’t take everything as disrespectful.

Adapting Services for Egyptian Visitors

To attract more Egyptian visitors, hotels in southern Spain should adapt their services to the expectations of a high power-distance, collectivist, and high uncertainty-avoidant culture. Egyptian tourists generally expect formal and respectful communication, so hotel staff should use polite language and show deference. Because Egypt is a collectivist society, hotels should focus on family-oriented services, shared dining areas, and group activities. Given high uncertainty avoidance, Egyptian visitors appreciate clear information, detailed explanations, reassurance about safety, halal menus, and predictable schedules. Their short-term orientation means they value quick responses and straightforward procedures. Finally, Egypt’s restrained culture requires sensitivity to religious norms and social expectations, offering alcohol-free areas, traditional foods, and family-friendly environments.

Adapting Services for American Visitors

By contrast, visitors from the United States come from a low power-distance, highly individualistic, and indulgent culture. They are comfortable with informal, friendly interaction, so hotel staff can use first names and a relaxed tone. American tourists value independence and personal choice, so hotels should offer flexible packages, customizable experiences, and a wide variety of dining and activity options. Because the USA is less uncertainty-avoidant, guests are more open to spontaneity and opt-in/opt-out programs rather than fixed schedules. Their long-term outlook and masculine cultural traits mean that efficiency, performance, fast service, and competitive activities are especially attractive. Since the US scores high on indulgence, marketing should emphasize fun, relaxation, and freedom from routine.

Summary

In summary, Egyptian tourists expect formality, clarity, family orientation, and cultural respect, while American tourists look for informality, flexibility, individual choice, and an emphasis on enjoyment and efficiency. Adapting hotel services to these cultural profiles can significantly increase visitor satisfaction from both markets.