Culture diversity and localizations at Airport

The airport has become, both literally and figuratively, a ‘third place’ where there is

neutral crossroads of culture and function. We at London Parking Gatwick knows

that the primary function of the airport is the efficient processing of passengers.

Historically this has been reflected in the entire priorities of terminals and malls where

there is allocation of certain spaces for ticketing, security, and baggage handling,

which far outstripped those spaces allocated for anything else.

But in recent years, airports have aimed to provide not only leisure facilities but

business facilities too through 4 or 5 star hotels like Gatwick’s Sofitel. Other twenty-

first century evolutions include changes to the interior of the airport. Thus now

business partners from San Jose and Shenzhen can fly to Changi and close a deal over

a round of golf. Likewise, family in both Minneapolis and Mumbai can fly to

Schiphol and watch a favorite cousin marry her fiancé at the airport’s wedding chapel.

A local touch at airports In order to create a unique sense of place, airports have realized they had to

differentiate the passenger experience from each other. This can be done not only by

designing seamless, efficient, processes and fancy terminals, but by creating a distinct

atmosphere with a unique and flexible portfolio of retail, food & beverage and service

concepts.Uniqueness is achieved by developing innovative concepts, preferable with a

local flavor by featuring local brands and experiences, as well as global brands that

offer a selection of local products. Localization of airports can be explain with great

examples at Tokyo Haneda, Amsterdam Schiphol and Copenhagen Kastrup.

Airportsprovide platform for connectivity Adding a local flavor to the airport is a response to changing lifestyles in which

people mix cultures, leisure and shopping with our search for meaning, surprise and

stories. Symbols, lifestyles and traditions have long been neglected but today offer a

great source of inspiration for commercial initiatives at airports, especially in

combination with technology-driven experiences.In this way, airports can become the

larger connective tissue between travelers and the cultural heritage of the country,

where they engage passengers through the proliferation of widespread technology, as

well as through personal, narrative connections that reflect the culture of the place.

We can take example of Helsinki Airport who together with passengers co-created a

second-hand book exchange, creating an interactive and meaningful place. The airport

also recently opened a ‘Design Tent’, which aims to offer a multisensory environment

where passengers can relax and experience the typical sounds and habits of Finish

culture.

Airports connecting culture and people With increasing numbers of passengers, now there is huge possibilities of connecting

culture, commerce and people, that is why now airports have great opportunities in

developing meaningful airport cities. Several countries are already creating the next

stage of airport development in order to capitalize on the massive potential of high

traffic locations. Culture moves people! We at London Parking Gatwick have

experienced this. We daily see a vast variety ofculture but what is same is the demand

of Gatwick parking deals. No mater from which culture you belonged it’s only the

quality of Meet and greet parking at Gatwick or Valet Parking Gatwick that can

satisfy everyone.