Visitors or Guests

[Strathmorezoo]

I have two questions,why did guests start being used instead of visitors and why ??

 

[birdsandbats]

Both are still used. "Guests" just makes it sound nicer and fancier.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

I have two questions,why did guests start being used instead of visitors and why ??

Pretentiousness it's always struck me as somewhat related to the same mindset which leads places to insist they aren't a zoo, they are a "conservation park" or "wildlife preservation centre" or suchlike.

 

[Fallax]

I've never really thought about it, to me they both mean basically the same thing.

 

[Steve Robinson]

I have two questions,why did guests start being used instead of visitors and why ??

I think that it may be generation related - as well as pretentiousness.

In this country our major zoos refer to "guests". Our younger generation of staff also use that term. To me that suggests that they are our guests - that they don't pay.

Older professionals still us the word "visitors".

Our shop staff call them "customers".

It doesn't really matter what we call them as long as they bring their money with them.

 

[Strathmorezoo]

Pretentiousness it's always struck me as somewhat related to the same mindset which leads places to insist they aren't a zoo, they are a "conservation park" or "wildlife preservation centre" or suchlike.

That sounds about right to me

 

[Nile Hippo Expert]

They are interchangeable words.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

They are interchangeable words.

Not really "guest" carries the connotation (incorrectly in this case) of being specifically invited and generally not being expected to pay for the privilege. See, for instance, the different implications of saying someone was "a guest of the White House" as opposed to "a visitor to the White House".

 

[birdsandbats]

Not really "guest" carries the connotation (incorrectly in this case) of being specifically invited and generally not being expected to pay for the privilege. See, for instance, the different implications of saying someone was "a guest of the White House" as opposed to "a visitor to the White House".

In some contexts they are different words (such as the situation you state) but as far as people paying to get into a zoo, I would say they are interchangeable.

 

[Ned]

Apparently the words guest, ostler, hostel, and hotel all share the same origin which, I presume, is why hotels have guests and is why I find the word odd when used in association with a zoo (or a cinema). If someone comes to stay in your home they're a guest, but if they pop in for a chat they are visiting imo.
Most zoo-goers are visitors (visit meaning to view) but these days with the trend for accommodation in zoos, some fall into the category of guests.

 

[Strathmorezoo]

Apparently the words guest, ostler, hostel, and hotel all share the same origin which, I presume, is why hotels have guests and is why I find the word odd when used in association with a zoo (or a cinema). If someone comes to stay in your home they're a guest, but if they pop in for a chat they are visiting imo.
Most zoo-goers are visitors (visit meaning to view) but these days with the trend for accommodation in zoos, some fall into the category of guests.

That is a good point (accommodation in zoos)

 

[MRJ]

It is as much for zoo staff as for others, it aims to put them in the mind to be more welcoming and accommodating.