US shopping malls: Not interested in Arabic-speaking tourists?

[webfact]

US shopping malls: Not interested in Arabic-speaking tourists?

(eTN) America’s Premier Shopping Places represents the second largest mall operator in the United States and is paid to promote exports to the US in sending tourist shoppers to member stores and malls.

Shopping and US inbound travel and tourism – it is a synergy that has always worked hand in hand for most major players in the travel and tourism industry.

This is true for almost all established travel and tourism destinations in the world. A lot of focus is put on getting visitors, specifically high-spending travelers, into their shops. For the United States, shopping by foreign tourists is a good part of the country's export, in states like Hawaii it may very well be the number one export and job creator.

Shopping usually has no borders, no discrimination by race, gender or nationality – but it appears this may be changing in the United States – or those in charge of marketing really don’t care, or worse they simply don’t get it.

The second largest operator of shopping malls in the USA, General Growth Properties, operates famous malls around the country, some mostly catering to tourists, including the Fashion Mall in Las Vegas and the largest shopping center in the South Pacific, Ala Moana Shopping Center in Honolulu.

Some of the big spenders at US high-end stores are travelers from the Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia.

ETN reached out to Kathy Anderson, in charge of America’s Premier Shopping Places, to promote General Growth shopping malls around the country to tourists. America’s Premier Shopping Places frequently exhibits at international travel and tourism trade shows, including IMEX, the World Travel Market, and ITB.

ETN had received a request from a major airline sponsor to identify suitable malls for high-end shoppers from the Gulf region and Saudi Arabia.

Surprisingly the first call was received with the response that they are too busy to talk and to call back tomorrow. The next day the response was more positive, but Kathy Anderson was still not available to talk, but promised to call back.

After another 2 days and no return call, a third call was made which said it all: "America’s Premier Shopping Places was not interested in such shoppers and saw no need to discuss this issue with eTN. When asked if this was specifically due to not wanting business from shoppers visiting from Arabic countries, there was no further reaction.

Full story: http://www.eturbonews.com/52882/us-shopping-malls-not-interested-arabic-speaking-tourists

-- eTN 2014-11-24

[Credo]

So they should learn to say "Do you want that Burqa in Black or Dark Black?"

[khwaibah]

[NeverSure]

You're right. They don't care and they shouldn't. When I go to Saudi Arabia are all signs and price tags in English, and all prices in USD?

What the hell do they want? Don't they have tour guides and interpreters if they can't fend?

Tell ya what. I'll give those mall owners a call and ask them to use Arabic tags on all burkas and head turbans, and price them in riyal.

[ezzra]

Unlike Supermarkets in Australia who put up greeting and happy Ramadan signage this year,

Those Arab's arse kissing supermarket people, no signage for other, peace loving minorities,

[oneday]

When the vast majority of terrorists targeting America are Muslim and their hatred is born our of their religion you can somewhat understand the attitude; at least I can.

Are all Muslims terrorists, no.

Are the majority of Muslims terrorists, no.

Are there Muslims actively working against the interest of those who want to commit acts of terror, yes.

However, you can't help how people feel. I know when I see a women in a Burqa it makes me feel very uncomfortable. It brings to my mind all the atrocious ways that many Arabs treat their women, let alone the terrorist side of things. I would have to guess that the vast majority of businesses in America do not want to be seen pandering to Arabs due to this overwhelmingly negative perception.

[Chicog]

I didn't see anything in the article banning the burqa.

However, if they want to discourage high spending tourists, that's their prerogative.

The ones with the platinum cards probably already know where their malls are and wear western garb anyway.

You'd be amazed what I've seen burqa (or rather abaya and hijab, because I doubt most people realise the difference) clad ladies change into on Gulf-LHR flights.

Edited November 24, 2014 by Chicog

[LawrenceChee]

The malls in Thailand and UAE caters better to them ...there is not much in a shopping mall in USA unless you want the lower end brands or generic brands

For the higher end brands the Arabs know the best service to go along with that price tags are the boutiques in Asia where the personalized service is matched by the price tags of those items

[Chicog]

The malls in Thailand and UAE caters better to them ...there is not much in a shopping mall in USA unless you want the lower end brands or generic brands

For the higher end brands the Arabs know the best service to go along with that price tags are the boutiques in Asia where the personalized service is matched by the price tags of those items

I'm assuming you haven't been in a high-end US mall recently.

Look at the brands in the Fashion Mall in Vegas - one of the ones mentioned in the OP - and you'll find they are exactly what wealthy Arab shoppers seek.

(and yes, that includes Victoria's Secret!).

Edited November 24, 2014 by Chicog

[kamahele]

So how many people from Arab countries come to America to shop? I don't think it is like the 1970's anymore where the Arabs actually owned the buildings the malls were located in. American malls normally are built to serve Americans. However, in places such as Hawaii which is located in the middle of the Pacific, the owners generally cater to the local population, the rest of America and they Japanese who come in droves for vacation.

[aspenninja]

Do high end shoppers from anywhere else feel "discriminated" against because signs aren't in their native language? Nope. They realize in America people speak English, and should expect everything to be in English. When I go to China, do I expect them to cater to my English speaking ways? Or if I go to saudi Arabia? No of course not. Why should America have to pander to them?

[AyG]

There's been a big shift away from Arabs spending money in London, Paris, Las Vegas. They feel much less welcome given the West's military intervention in Moslem lands. Kuala Lumpur in particular has benefited. Not sure why US shopping malls would want to put any effort into attracting people who feel more comfortable surrounded by their co-religionists who more readily accept their dress, customs and attitudes.

[Chicog]

There's been a big shift away from Arabs spending money in London, Paris, Las Vegas. They feel much less welcome given the West's military intervention in Moslem lands. Kuala Lumpur in particular has benefited. Not sure why US shopping malls would want to put any effort into attracting people who feel more comfortable surrounded by their co-religionists who more readily accept their dress, customs and attitudes.

As I've said, most of the high end Arab shoppers are western educated and western dressed.

The only reason there might be fewer in the US is that it's further to travel.

[AyG]

There's been a big shift away from Arabs spending money in London, Paris, Las Vegas. They feel much less welcome given the West's military intervention in Moslem lands. Kuala Lumpur in particular has benefited. Not sure why US shopping malls would want to put any effort into attracting people who feel more comfortable surrounded by their co-religionists who more readily accept their dress, customs and attitudes.

As I've said, most of the high end Arab shoppers are western educated and western dressed.

The only reason there might be fewer in the US is that it's further to travel.

It's nothing to do with language, education or distance. Talking to my Moslem friends they say they and their co-religionists feel increasingly uncomfortable in certain western countries and now prefer to go to Moslem rather than kafir countries. It's partly because of a distaste for recent military intervention in Moslem countries and partly because of a rise in Islamic fundamentalism.

[bender92]

They don't want the malls to get blown up.

[mike324]

You're right. They don't care and they shouldn't. When I go to Saudi Arabia are all signs and price tags in English, and all prices in USD?

What the hell do they want? Don't they have tour guides and interpreters if they can't fend?

Tell ya what. I'll give those mall owners a call and ask them to use Arabic tags on all burkas and head turbans, and price them in riyal.

Not sure if you been to America or those high end malls. the locations where they have a lot of tourists, they usually have Chinese and Japanese speaking staff on hand to assist with customers. Nobody is asking to change the currency labels or signs around the mall to cater to tourists. Perhaps you and many are jumping the gun too quick?

The news was saying a major airline wants to partner with a mall to for advertisement and promotion purposes to lure customers for both parties to create a win win situation. If the mall is not interested, perhaps they don't see the market to target the Arab speaking tourists because their numbers are so small compare to the Chinese and Japanese tourists. Just because they didn't return the call, does not mean they are avoiding Arabs, perhaps the call was made to the wrong department and not forwarded to the correct person which seems like the case.

I think people are over reacting to why malls should cater to Arabs, its just business and $$$. Don't you guys feel its so much easier if Thai staff are able to speak english and communicate with you at malls? or do you prefer to communicate with sign language?

[LawrenceChee]

The malls in Thailand and UAE caters better to them ...there is not much in a shopping mall in USA unless you want the lower end brands or generic brands

For the higher end brands the Arabs know the best service to go along with that price tags are the boutiques in Asia where the personalized service is matched by the price tags of those items

I'm assuming you haven't been in a high-end US mall recently.

Look at the brands in the Fashion Mall in Vegas - one of the ones mentioned in the OP - and you'll find they are exactly what wealthy Arab shoppers seek.

(and yes, that includes Victoria's Secret!).

I have been to every high end store there is and hence my opinion that the service cannot be matched in Asia as I have seen the difference when people drop between 50k - 100k per store

The Arabs are hardly welcomed in USA so if they are spending 50k on a bag would be nicer for them to do it in Asia no ?

Have a look at the VIP shopping service concierge at Macau when you spend a minimum amount of 100k

It's American loss in terms of shopping $$$ but I understand why they are not embracing the Arabs for the moment

Edited November 24, 2014 by LawrenceChee

[JockPieandBeans]

There's been a big shift away from Arabs spending money in London, Paris, Las Vegas. They feel much less welcome given the West's military intervention in Moslem lands. Kuala Lumpur in particular has benefited. Not sure why US shopping malls would want to put any effort into attracting people who feel more comfortable surrounded by their co-religionists who more readily accept their dress, customs and attitudes.

As I've said, most of the high end Arab shoppers are western educated and western dressed.

The only reason there might be fewer in the US is that it's further to travel.

It's nothing to do with language, education or distance. Talking to my Moslem friends they say they and their co-religionists feel increasingly uncomfortable in certain western countries and now prefer to go to Moslem rather than kafir countries. It's partly because of a distaste for recent military intervention in Moslem countries and partly because of a rise in Islamic fundamentalism.

And with that attitude, long may they stay in the Muslim Countries.

[lingmao]

Honestly I think the story is giving too much credit to the customer service of America. Unfortunately USA malls are too interested in reducing costs and staff and putting everything online. Getting assistance in stores is nonexistent. And trying to get executives to return calls? Good luck. It's not only they don't want to cater to foreign customers. It's just typical bad customer service, but on the executive level.

If I was a rich tourist I would go to Thailand where there are 10 staff attending me at once. Thats customer service done right.

[AyG]

There's been a big shift away from Arabs spending money in London, Paris, Las Vegas. They feel much less welcome given the West's military intervention in Moslem lands. Kuala Lumpur in particular has benefited. Not sure why US shopping malls would want to put any effort into attracting people who feel more comfortable surrounded by their co-religionists who more readily accept their dress, customs and attitudes.

As I've said, most of the high end Arab shoppers are western educated and western dressed.

The only reason there might be fewer in the US is that it's further to travel.

It's nothing to do with language, education or distance. Talking to my Moslem friends they say they and their co-religionists feel increasingly uncomfortable in certain western countries and now prefer to go to Moslem rather than kafir countries. It's partly because of a distaste for recent military intervention in Moslem countries and partly because of a rise in Islamic fundamentalism.

And with that attitude, long may they stay in the Muslim Countries.

And to be honest, as a kafir, if I want to go on a shopping spree I'll go to a kafir country, rather than to a Moslem one where I'm despised as a non-religionist. No surprise there, really.

[Don Aleman]

Maybe the politicians won't speak out but hurray for the malls in doing so.

[Chicog]

There's been a big shift away from Arabs spending money in London, Paris, Las Vegas. They feel much less welcome given the West's military intervention in Moslem lands. Kuala Lumpur in particular has benefited. Not sure why US shopping malls would want to put any effort into attracting people who feel more comfortable surrounded by their co-religionists who more readily accept their dress, customs and attitudes.

As I've said, most of the high end Arab shoppers are western educated and western dressed.

The only reason there might be fewer in the US is that it's further to travel.

It's nothing to do with language, education or distance. Talking to my Moslem friends they say they and their co-religionists feel increasingly uncomfortable in certain western countries and now prefer to go to Moslem rather than kafir countries. It's partly because of a distaste for recent military intervention in Moslem countries and partly because of a rise in Islamic fundamentalism.

Talking to my Arab colleagues, if they go East it's because it's cheaper, if they want high end shopping they go West.

Thousands of wealthy Arabs migrate to Europe to escape the summer heat.

They don't go to places like Malaysia in rainy season.

Also, many of them are not averse to a bacon sarnie and a pint while they are away from prying eyes.

[Suradit69]

promote exports to the US

Why would they promote exports TO the US?

You're right. They don't care and they shouldn't. When I go to Saudi Arabia are all signs and price tags in English, and all prices in USD?

What the hell do they want? Don't they have tour guides and interpreters if they can't fend?

Tell ya what. I'll give those mall owners a call and ask them to use Arabic tags on all burkas and head turbans, and price them in riyal.

"When I go to Saudi Arabia are all signs and price tags in English, and all prices in USD?"

Not sure about Saudi, but all the modern malls in the UAE (and other Gulf Countries) have English signage. Prices are in dirhams, but most shoppers probably use credit cards anyway and many sales persons are probably more fluent in English than Arabic. Even in Iran people in the souqs were more than happy to price things in dollars and eager to accept dollar cash as well as US credit cards (the latter surprised me, but maybe 10 years ago I used a US based Citi card with no problem in Iran).

Edited November 24, 2014 by Suradit69

[JockPieandBeans]

And to be honest, as a kafir, if I want to go on a shopping spree I'll go to a kafir country, rather than to a Moslem one where I'm despised as a non-religionist. No surprise there, really.

That is up to you.

It is also not the point. You can shop wherever you want, just as I can. The difference is I dont need to make a song and dance about whether the price is in Riyals, Yen or Roubles.

[Chicog]

And to be honest, as a kafir, if I want to go on a shopping spree I'll go to a kafir country, rather than to a Moslem one where I'm despised as a non-religionist. No surprise there, really.

As a kafir living in a Muslim country, I might stop off on the way home to pick up some beer from the off-license and some bacon from the supermarket.

Quite where you get your weird perceptions I don't know.

Personally I'd want to avoid an Essex shopping mall where I'm despised as being a non-Chav.

[IAMHERE]

Hard to be customer oriented toward people that want to kill you because you are less than a dog. Good question is why the heck with their money they'd want to go to a non muslim country.

[Time Traveller]

So an "airline" - I'm guessing middle eastern - wants some kickbacks from shopping malls for flying arabs to America and they got turned down. Hardly news.

If there is one thing about American business I know, it's that they will accept money from any customer. So the reality was that the shopping mall executives took one look at this idea and realized it was nothing more than a pie in the sky proposal and the article reads like it was penned by a disgruntled marketing manager from the airline.

[Benmart]

The malls in Thailand and UAE caters better to them ...there is not much in a shopping mall in USA unless you want the lower end brands or generic brands

For the higher end brands the Arabs know the best service to go along with that price tags are the boutiques in Asia where the personalized service is matched by the price tags of those items

You may have missed the upscale mall in Hillsdale (outside of San Francisco) and the other upscale malls in Seattle, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York, Florida and elsewheres. Many have valet parking, limousine sevice, concierge service, premier lounges, refined dining, etc.

I've not visted every mall in evey country, and therefore, cannot speak with authority in the same generalized manner.

Happy Shopping.

[Jingthing]

Nobody is stopping anyone from going to any mall in the USA. Just go. The stores will be happy to take your money! This story seems to be overblown from the get go.

BTW, are Saudi malls specifically welcoming tour groups of identifiable gay men or identifiable Jews? Try sending a letter to them about that and see what the reaction is!

Next ...

Also next time you're in LA, check out TEHRANGELES!

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-19751370

Not Arabs, but to suggest Americans don't welcome Muslim spenders is just total BS!

Google maps recently recognised "Tehrangeles" as a neighbourhood of central Los Angeles. How did this upmarket part of LA become home to the largest community of Iranians outside Iran?

Edited November 24, 2014 by Jingthing

[Chicog]

Nobody is stopping anyone from going to any mall in the USA. Just go. The stores will be happy to take your money! This story seems to be overblown from the get go.

BTW, are Saudi malls specifically welcoming tour groups of identifiable gay men or identifiable Jews? Try sending a letter to them about that and see what the reaction is!

Next ...

Also next time you're in LA, check out TEHRANGELES!

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-19751370

Not Arabs, but to suggest Americans don't welcome Muslim spenders is just total BS!

Google maps recently recognised "Tehrangeles" as a neighbourhood of central Los Angeles. How did this upmarket part of LA become home to the largest community of Iranians outside Iran?

I'm also told by some male colleagues that Iranian porn takes some beating too (excuse the pun).