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Written by Yango | Senegal | Okt 15, 2024
Update | Mar 18, 2025

Time to read: min

What a Driver Should Know About Tourists?

Tourism is booming in Senegal! In 2019, it represents nearly 10% of the country’s GDP. And here’s something that many haven’t considered: drivers and tourists can benefit from one another.

Drivers can take advantage of the increased demand, while the tourists get local expertise and safe rides. See what you need to learn to make the most out of this opportunity.

Why Understanding Tourists Is Important for Drivers

This group of people is especially important because:

  • They’re not familiar with the place. Therefore, they’ll most likely need you to get to various tourist destinations.
  • They tend to tip more. Since they’re spending vacation money, they won’t mind spending more on a ride.
  • They drive the demand in many places in Senegal. Tourist ride etiquette may as well be the norm because many of your passengers are not going to be from the area. Therefore, understanding Senegalese tourists can have a huge impact on how much you take home.

Cultural Differences and Expectations

They come from different backgrounds, so how drivers communicate with tourists may vary. Some may prefer that you talk to them, while others prefer a silent ride.

Fortunately, you don’t have to be an expert on these things. We believe that the best way to go about any differences is to just ask. Then, adjust your tourist ride etiquette from there.

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Language Barriers and Communication Tips

How drivers communicate with tourists affects the experience more than the actual ride. As they’re not from the area, feeling that they’re welcome can make a huge difference. Try these communication tips:

  • Use simple and clear language
  • Use gestures or point at maps when needed
  • Speak slowly

And when in doubt, there’s nothing wrong with using a translation app. This way, a driver and the tourists will always be able to talk to each other.

Popular Destinations and Routes

They will likely visit Senegalese tourist sites, restaurants, and hotels. So, if you know how to get those places faster than what the GPS says, then you’ll surely impress them!

With Senegalese tourism growing a lot, there may be new hotspots around the corner. Make sure to learn the quickest routes going there.

Payment Preferences and Tipping Etiquette

Yango Pro helps you get paid in card and cash. So, it will always be easy for drivers and tourists to complete the transaction.

And while there’s sort of an expectation for tourists to tip, please remember that this may not be the norm in their country. We suggest just thinking of a tip as a pleasant surprise rather than a requirement.

Dealing with Common Tourist Requests

Someone who knows well how drivers should communicate with tourists will be able to better respond to requests such as:

  • Recommendations on food, places, and entertainment
  • Extra waiting time to visit various tourist places
  • Assistance with the luggage
  • Guidance on local customs

If you’re able to fulfill their requests, they’ll surely be happy with your services. Still, tourist ride etiquette doesn't require you to just say yes to everything. Remember that this is still a job. So, if it’s something unreasonable, like waiting for an hour, you’re in the right to ask for extra payment.

Conclusion

The relatively steady supply of drivers and the tourists providing a growing demand is great news for you! So, learning how to deal with travellers and globetrotters can be beneficial for you. However, you don’t have to learn everything in one go. Use every booking with Senegalese tourists as an opportunity to add to your growing knowledge on how to keep these guests happy.
Download and
start earning now
Download
and start
earning now

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