VIP Zones and Environment

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VIP Zones and Environment

• Som Karamchetty, PhD, PE
• 10816 Terrier Court
• Columbia, MD 21044, USA
• [phone]
• somk_at_comcast.net
• 5 February 2003 to 9 February 2003

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Outline

• Concept Definition
• Need for VIP Zones
• Positive Characteristics
• Rules of Conduct
• Incentives for Change
• Benefits to the Country

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Outline

• Concept Definition
• Need for VIP Zones
• Positive Characteristics
• Rules of Conduct
• Incentives for Change
• Benefits to the Country

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What is the VIP Zones Concept?

• VIP zones are a concept of specially designated
  geographic areas for
• International Tourist Activities
• International Education
• International Old-Age Residents.

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Inspiration or Model
Inspiration for VIP Zones comes from the export
promotion zones or free trade zones. For
example, countries create export promotion or
free trade zones to foster exports and to
encourage free trade. Special rules and
obligations are prescribed for the activities in
these specially designated geographic areas.
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Definition
VIP Zones are specific geographic areas created
by interested countries to promote tourism,
international technical education, and old age
residences (for example). Special rules and
obligations are prescribed for the activities in
areas so designated.
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Environment for a VIP Zone
An environment for a VIP Zone is specified and
prescribed in order to make a VIP sufficiently
comfortable that he or she would like to
participate in the business or partake in the
experience in that zone. I chose the (prefix)
term VIP because it connotes easily and commonly
understood behaviors towards other persons.
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Who is a VIP?

• In an International Tourist Activities Zone
• a tourist is a VIP.
• In an International Education Zone
• a student is a VIP.
• In an International Old-Age Residency,
• a resident is a VIP.

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Why VIPs?
A country needs the business from certain
persons. Certain groups of persons have to be
accorded special treatment to win their business.
So a VIP!
and a VIP Zone!
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Importance of Environment
In defining the environment in a VIP Zone, we
need to make the experience as much like the
VIPs home as possible. Perhaps, more and
better. Then, we have a chance to make the VIP
leave his or her home and come to a VIP Zone.
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Outline

• Concept Definition
• Need for VIP Zones
• Positive Characteristics
• Rules of Conduct
• Incentives for Change
• Benefits to the Country

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Why VIP Treatment?
We want the VIP to be our customer. We want the
VIP to be our paying customer. We want the VIP to
be a repeat customer. We want the VIP to rate our
service highly.
We want his or her business!
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What is Wrong with Status Quo?

• International customers (e.g. tourists, students,
  and old-age residents) shun
• certain countries and regions for a variety of
  reasons.
• A key list of factors
• Political instability
• Fear of being attacked
• Fear of natural disasters
• Robbery, stealing, cheating, and trickery
• Official corruption and blackmail
• Dishonest business ethics and dealings
• Lack of ready redress
• Health risks
• Inappropriate treatment
• Lack of sanitation
• Bad quality of food, water, air
• Poor quality of accommodations, transportation,
  and reception
• Discourteous and poor communications
• Inefficient and inconsiderate services
• Inadequate fulfillment of advertised services

These are typical problems we need to address.
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Then, What Should we do?
Create a positive environment. Treat
international customers as VIPs.
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Focus and Perfect a Model
Firstly, select specific areas, designate them as
VIP Zones and develop them as models to create a
positive environment. Collect lessons-learned, Per
fect VIP Zones model, Extend to many areas for a
variety of customers.
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Outline

• Concept Definition
• Need for VIP Zones
• Positive Characteristics
• Rules of Conduct
• Incentives for Change
• Benefits to the Country

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Positive EnvironmentSecurity

• Ensure freedoms and security
• Valuables (Money, jewelry, papers)
• Freedom of movement
• Freedom of speech
• Freedom of space 1
• Privacy

1 To Westerners, space means leaving them
undisturbed.
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Positive EnvironmentSafety

• Ensure safety
• Person
• Health

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Positive EnvironmentFood, Water, and Air

• Ensure high quality of supplies of
• Healthy, nutritious, and tasty food
• Potable, clean water and drinks
• Clean air
• Chemical-free areas
• Sights

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Positive EnvironmentComfort

• Ensure physical comfort at all times
• Temperature, humidity, and climate
• Germ- and insect-free living areas
• Noise free surroundings

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Positive EnvironmentTransportation

• Provide quality transportation
• Safe
• Fast
• Comfortable
• Punctual
• Reliable
• Flexible

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Positive EnvironmentAccommodation

• Provide accommodations that are
• Safe
• Clean
• Comfortable
• Functional
• Reliable
• Hygienic
• Calm (noise free)
• Flexible

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Positive EnvironmentSanitation

• Ensure quality sanitation
• Clean and functional
• Healthy
• Disease-free

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Positive EnvironmentCommunication

• Quality communications
• Easy and natural (signs and verbal)
• Timeliness
• Clarity and precision
• Pleasing and understanding
• Straight forward (not dubious, trickery)
• Mail, phone
• Internet, Web, email, and chat
• News of family welfare
• News of guest welfare to family back home

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Positive EnvironmentSocial

• Present interpersonal interactions
• Pleasant situations
• No hassle and no haggling
• Calm (Noiseless) and pleasing surroundings
• Provide for guests
• Social needs
• Friends
• Invited level of discourse with guests

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Positive EnvironmentCultural

• Provide for guests
• Cultural and philosophical activities

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Positive EnvironmentSpiritual

• Provide
• Access to religious facilities, and
  institutions
• Solitude for individual worship
• No interference
• Non-judgmental interactions

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Positive EnvironmentRisk Coverage

• Provide to minimize guests risks through
• Insurance
• Emergency medical, nursing, and health
• Loss theft coverage

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Positive EnvironmentSpecial Needs

• Provide for Guests special needs
• Meals and diet
• Gym and workout
• Jogging, running, walking
• Swimming
• Entertainment, movies, theater
• Library, news, reading
• Conference

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Outline

• Concept Definition
• Need for VIP Zones
• Positive Characteristics
• Rules of Conduct
• Incentives for Change
• Benefits to the Country

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Rules of Conduct in VIP Zones

• Stakeholders involved in the VIP Zones should
• follow certain rules of conduct that are
  essential
• to maintain the characteristics laid out for the
• VIP Zones.
• Behavior
• Interaction
• Delivering goods and services
• Quality
• Timeliness
• Value

Stakeholders comprise the owners, operators,
monitors, regulators, and professionals
(providers of goods and services to guests).
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Mechanisms and Frameworks for Rules of Conduct

• Rules, policies, and processes through
• Standards
• Licensing
• Certification
• Regulations
• Testimonials
• Costs Contracts

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Outline

• Concept Definition
• Need for VIP Zones
• Positive Characteristics
• Rules of Conduct
• Incentives for Change
• Benefits to the Country

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Incentives to Ensure a PositiveEnvironment

• Stakeholders should be offered incentives to
  exhibit
• behavior conducive to the creation of a positive
• environment in VIP Zones
• Good remuneration
• Bonuses
• Incentives
• Awards, promotions, recognition
• Tax incentives and credits
• Business opportunities in other VIP Zones

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Outline

• Concept Definition
• Need for VIP Zones
• Positive Characteristics
• Rules of Conduct
• Incentives for Change
• Benefits to the Country

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Benefits to the Country and Region

• Business opportunities
• Financial gains
• Creation of Jobs
• Economic growth
• Infrastructure development
• International peace and understanding
• Social, cultural, and spiritual uplift
• International prestige

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Conclusion

• VIP Zones are a creative concept for attracting
  businesses like
• International tourism
• International professional students
• International old age and nursing home
  residents
• They will provide
• Economic, social, cultural, and spiritual
  benefits
• Contribute to international peace and
  understanding
• Accord international prestige to host country

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References
www.uni-hamburg.de/Wiss/FB/15/ Sustainability/clim
tour http//www.etour.se/English/show.asp?dETOUR
http//www.expresstravelandtourism.com/20021015/lo
okin4.shtml
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Individual Personal Care
Elderly should get individual care and attention
7x24x365 They should be free to lead a chosen
life style with no unnecessary interference from
care-givers.
Delete from here onwards
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Quality Professionals

• Highly competent and caring professionals needed
• Doctors
• Psychologists
• Nurses
• Therapists
• Dietitians
• Chapels
• Cooks
• Sanitation workers
• Companions
• Activity coordinators
• Attendants

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Environment
A healthy, and serene living environment is
key. The surroundings should be pleasant and
enjoyable. All aspects of the environment should
be balanced. The environment should be appealing
to all the senses. Temperature both indoors and
outdoors should be comfortable. The area should
be free of pollution. Annoyance from nonresidents
should be absent.
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Meals
Appropriate, fresh, tasty, and nutritious meals
are essential to a healthy living for
elders. Cultural considerations are paramount in
meals service. Preparation and presentation of
meals is equally important.
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Comfort
Comfort consists of physical, environmental,
mental, and spiritual well being.
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Safety
Safety of the elderly is important in all
activities.
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Security
Physical, financial, and mental security is
critical. Protection from unscrupulous people is
a requirement.
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Sanitation
High level of sanitation in the living areas,
kitchen, dining, and surrounding environment is
essential. The absence of mosquitoes, flies,
bugs, and other insects is a must. Cleanliness is
the focus.
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Activities
Elders look for an active life consistent with
their health and physical and mental
capabilities. Proper activities should be planned
and provided. Adequate supervision and assistance
should be provided. Safety of the people is an
important consideration.
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Recreation

• A variety of recreational facilities should be
  available
• Athletics
• Games
• Indoor and outdoor activities
• The arts
• Library, music, theatre, movies, TV
• News and information

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Happy living
Elders should be happy during their stay in these
facilities.
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Entertainment
Appropriate and a variety entertainment options
should be available.
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Special Care Units

• Elderly might have the need for special care some
  or all of
• the time.
• Special care should be available
• Medical
• Nursing
• Diet
• Physical therapy
• Mental therapy
• Spiritual caring

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Transportation

• Mobility is essential to fulfilling a good
  living.
• Hence adequate and safe transportation is
  necessary.
• In the home
• Within the living complex
• Around the region where the elders live.

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Emergencies

• Medical and fire and accident emergencies should
  be attended to urgently and professionally.
• Facilities should be available within or adjacent
  to the complex
• Fire station
• Ambulance
• Emergency hospital rooms
• Geriatric care hospitals.

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Visitors (1 of 2)
Visits by family and friends is a key to the
success of this concept and model.

• There should be guest quarters for temporary
  visitors.
• Separate but within the same complex.
• Free guest accommodations for US relatives for
• temporary periods will be an attractive feature.

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Visitors (2 of 2)
Innovative features should be tried. E.g. 1.
Families, and friends of residents should be
offered free annual board and lodging at the
guest houses. E.g. 2. Cooperative arrangements
with other Indian tourist resorts are likely to
make it attractive for the relatives to
visit their elderly relatives in the nursing
homes, while they themselves enjoy their annual
vacation (a win-win bonus).
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Communications
Constant communications with friends, relatives,
and family back in the US is essential.

• Information technology can play an important role
  here.
• Internet
• Web
• email
• Telephone
• Post office

Optional continual webcam and web pages with the
elders and his/her familys welfare can be very
attractive features.
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Socializing
Opportunities for social interaction and
friendship are essential.
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Religious facilities
The facilities should provide for religious
services of their chosen faith.
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Accessibility
Elderly are likely to be physically
challenged. Facility and equipment design should
accommodate for accessibility. Elderly should be
able to choose to participate in any and all
activities.
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Choice
There should be choices available so that the
elderly can have options from which they can
select what they wish to do. The facility should
not be run like an institution. The elderly
should not feel confined and subject to
discipline. A code of conduct should be set only
to avoid mutual interference.
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Certification and Regulation
Using the standards and metrics, facilities,
operators, and elder care professionals should be
certified and their professions regulated. Strict
implementation of regulations will be good for
the quality of the industry.