Philadelphia International Airport aims to enhance the travel experience for guests that do not speak English as their primary language. The airport recently introduced two new tools to assist those passengers in navigating PHL.
The GLOBO phone system provides an easy way to connect highly qualified, industry-specialized interpreters to travelers in seconds. GLOBO is accessed through the airport’s collaboration with the Language Access Program with the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.
© David Rosenblum, PHL
“Being in an unfamiliar airport, with no idea where to head to make a connecting flight, collect baggage or find transportation can be unsettling for anyone,” said Leah Douglas, director of guest experience, PHL. “Not knowing how to speak and read English, can make the situation even more stressful for travelers.”
Travelers can find GLOBO in all terminals at information desks; the Navigator and Volunteer Navigator teams use the system to instantly connect the travelers with a live agent via the phone.
PHL Airport Operations Center is a multilingual unit with bilingual operators available to assist travelers in Spanish, French, Arabic, Haitian Creole and Bambara.
© David Rosenblum, PHL
“For all other languages, PHL’s AOC utilizes GLOBO for over-the-phone interpretation. Last year, our bilingual staff helped 731 guests, utilizing GLOBO 866 times,” said Denise Bailey, vice president of Business Diversity and Accessibility, PHL.
Coming soon, Department of Aviation and airport stakeholder employees will wear pins indicating what languages they speak other than English.
“We have employees that know American Sign Language (ASL) and speak Spanish, French, Arabic, Russian, German and Italian and are identifying more multilingual speakers all the time,” said Douglas. “PHL proudly welcomes passengers from around the world to Philadelphia and we want them to feel at home and have a great experience while they are here.”
Read This Next
Icelandair Now Connects Nashville with Reykjavik
Airlines
Oct 11, 2024#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedLGBTQIA+
Nov 28, 2024How to Book the Perfect Vacation with World’s Leading Operator of Luxury LGBTQIA+ Cruises and Land Tours
Looking for an LGBTQIA+-friendly vacation but not sure what’s right for you, or even where to start? Brand g Vacations has you covered. Since 2011, Brand g and its LGBTQIA+ travel experts have helped LGBTQIA+ travelers plan the perfect vacations around the world.
Sponsored Content
Seoul: Your Favorite Worldwide City
Seoul is the place for your next bleisure destination.
Hotel
Nov 28, 2024StolenTime Saint Lucia Launches Zodiac-Themed Wellness Retreats
StolenTime in Saint Lucia recently announced a partnership with the AstroTwins to offer curated itineraries for each zodiac sign.
Destinations / North America
Nov 27, 2024Celebrate 50 Years of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
This December, Cuyahoga Valley National Park — one of the more easily accessible national parks in the country, as it’s just a short drive from Cleveland — celebrates its 50th anniversary. Established as a National Recreation Area in 1974 and achieving national park status in 2000, this park offers more than 33,000 acres of forests and farmland, with activities including hiking, kayaking, scenic train rides and more.
Sponsored Content
Discover Greece’s Tower Towns: A Journey Through History
Greece's tower towns offer a captivating blend of history, architecture and stunning landscapes that make them perfect for curious travelers. These towns, particularly found in the Mani region of the Peloponnese, are defined by stone towers built during the medieval period. Constructed for both defense and as symbols of family pride, the towers stand as a testament to the region's turbulent history and its residents’ resilience.
Destinations / North America
Nov 27, 2024Winter Happenings in Victoria, British Columbia
Visit Victoria, British Columbia, this winter. The capital city offers travelers seasonal activities and events guaranteed to warm your heart.
ShareThis