To enhance the travel experience PHL has introduced two new multilingual tools to assist passengers – the GLOBO phone interpretation system and easy-to-identify language pins for airport staff. The innovative offerings aim to bridge the language barrier and provide global guests with the support they need for a seamless journey.

Connecting Travelers to Translators in Seconds

Getting lost in translation is now a thing of the past at PHL with the implementation of the GLOBO phone interpretation service. This cutting-edge system provides an easy way to instantly connect travelers with highly qualified, industry-specialized interpreters in just seconds.

Guests can access GLOBO services at information desks throughout all airport terminals. Members of PHL’s friendly Navigator and Volunteer Navigator teams simply make a call and a live translator is on the line to assist with any language needed.

The impact has already been significant as highlighted by Leah Douglas, PHL’s Director of Guest Experience:

“Being in an unfamiliar airport can be unsettling for anyone. Not knowing how to speak and read English can make the situation even more stressful for travelers. With GLOBO, our staff can immediately bring on a professional interpreter to communicate directly with guests in their native language.”

A Real-Life Language Barrier Solved with GLOBO

One recent instance spotlighted the immense value GLOBO provides. A passenger who only spoke Russian appeared disoriented near an information desk. Despite efforts from staff and police, the language barrier prevented understanding her situation.

That’s when a quick call to GLOBO solved the mystery. The Russian interpreter learned the woman had been separated from her husband, who had her travel documents. With the woman’s husband’s name and details, the team located him at their gate and coordinated a reuniting reunion – all thanks to GLOBO.

“This is exactly why we invested in a tool like GLOBO,” Douglas explained. “To ensure no travelers feel lost or alone when visiting PHL simply due to a language barrier.”

Airport Operations Center: Multilingual Staff for Over-the-Phone Translations

In addition to GLOBO, PHL’s Airport Operations Center (AOC) operates as a multilingual communications hub. The 24/7 center has bilingual operators available to directly assist travelers in languages like Spanish, French, Arabic, Haitian Creole and Bambara.

For all other languages, the AOC staff utilizes GLOBO’s over-the-phone interpretation services. Last year alone, they facilitated 866 translations through GLOBO while helping 731 total guests in person.

“Between our multilingual staff and instantaneous access to GLOBO’s interpreter network, we have a linguistic resource for any guest who needs translation assistance while at PHL,” said Denise Bailey, PHL’s Vice President of Business Diversity and Accessibility.

Language Pins: Visually Identifying Multilingual Staff

To make multilingual support even more accessible, PHL will take its language inclusivity a step further in the coming months. Passengers will start noticing airport staff and stakeholder employees wearing Language Pins – easy-to-identify badges indicating which languages they speak other than English.

“We have employees fluent in American Sign Language, Spanish, French, Arabic, Russian, German, Italian and more,” Douglas noted. “With these new pins, global guests can instantly see who they can approach for language assistance in their native tongue.”

The colorful language pins will be visibly worn on staff lanyards throughout the airport terminals, restaurants, shops and other facilities.

A Gateway Access for All Global Travelers

As a large international hub, PHL offers 360 daily departures to over 120 nonstop destinations across the globe. With 28 airlines operating from its facility, the airport welcomes visitors from every corner of the world.

Recognizing the diversity of its traveler population, PHL has made supporting global guests a key priority through intentional investments like GLOBO and Language Pins. These multilingual tools ensure all guests feel welcomed, supported and at ease while traveling through Philadelphia.

“PHL proudly welcomes passengers from around the world and we want them to feel at home and have a great experience while visiting,” Douglas affirmed. “Launching GLOBO interpretation and making multilingual staff easily identifiable are major steps toward being an accessible, world-class airport for global travelers of any language.”

The innovations cover all traveler touchpoints too – from the moment guests arrive at check-in, navigate through security, find their gates, dine, shop and everything in between. No matter where their journey takes them through PHL’s terminals, professional language support is just a phone call or badge away.

Located just seven miles from downtown Philadelphia, the airport provides convenient access to the city’s wealth of tourist attractions, business hubs and cultural destinations as well. Now global guests can enjoy a seamless, translation-assisted travel experience from their arrival at PHL until they depart for their final destination.

As an internationally-renowned landmark city, Philadelphia aims to warmly welcome visitors from across the globe. With its new multilingual capabilities, the city’s airport is extending that celebrated Pennsylvania hospitality and accessibility to travelers of all languages and backgrounds. I sincerely hope you find this “Philadelphia Airport Introduces New Support for Global Visitors-Find Out Details” article helpful.

Skylar Lacey

Skylar Lacey, a Travel and Tourism Management graduate from Temple University, offers 5 years of experience in travel writing and airport logistics at PhiladelphiaAirport.net. Her expertise helps travelers make the most of their journeys through Philadelphia International Airport. Connect with her on Instagram for more travel tips and insights.

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