Tourist office assistant: Hello, how can I help you?
Tourist: Um, hello. Is it possible to book a bus tour of the city here?
TOA: Of course, sir. When would you like to take the tour? There are tours in the morning, afternoon, and evening... sometimes it's nice to see the city at night with the buildings lit up.
Tourist: We'll be going out for dinner tonight, so we'd prefer to go this afternoon. Oh, and it's for two people.
TOA: Right. Now I just need some details. Can you give me the names of the two people, please?
Tourist: Yes. Susan Field and James Carter.
TOA: Susan Field and James - sorry, can you spell your surname for me, please?
Tourist: 1It's Carter. C-A-R-T-E-R.
TOA: Thank you. And can I have a contact telephone number?
Tourist: Why do you need one?
TOA: Just in case we have to cancel the tour and need to contact you.
Tourist: 2I see. Well, my mobile number is 07988 636197 (0-7-9-double 8-6-3-6-1-9-7).
TOA: 2That’s 07988 636197. Now, can you also tell me which hotel you're staying at?
Tourist: 3The Crest Hotel. Oh no, sorry. That's the hotel we're staying in next week. It's the Riverside Hotel.
TOA: Oh! The Riverside is a lovely hotel. Are you enjoying your stay?
Tourist: Yes, we are, very much. We'd definitely recommend it to others.
TOA: Oh I am glad. Now, I can book you on the tour at 4 p.m. 4Would that suit you? Alternatively, there is one at two.
Tourist: 4Two would be better for us. please.
Tourist: Can I also ask you about the museum in the main square? I was reading about it in my guide book and was shocked to see that the entrance price is £10. Why does it cost so much?
TOA: Well, the museum has the largest collection of Latin American art in Europe. People come from all over the world to see it. But that's not the reason why it's so expensive to get in. 5You see, the building is very old and it needs repairs. The £10 ticket cost will go towards repairing the roof and the walls.
Tourist: I see. Well, I suppose it's worth paying £10 to see the collection.
TOA: Yes, I think so too. Is there anything else I can help you with?
Tourist: Actually, there is. I was wondering if you knew of any good restaurants in the area.
TOA: Well, there are a few restaurants near the harbour, and a couple on the beach which are nice. The problem is that the smell of the fish market is quite strong down there.
Tourist: Mm, I don't think my girlfriend would be very pleased.
TOA: I know what you mean - it's not very romantic, is it? 6My advice would be to go to the next town. It’s bigger, and the restaurant selection is wider. You can get there by taxi and it only takes about ten minutes. The town is quite picturesque... Is it for a special occasion?
Tourist: Yes, it's my girlfriend's birthday so I’d like to go somewhere special. Um, do you know any of these restaurants well enough to tell me about them?
TOA: Well, I know about a few of them, and there are pictures in this leaflet here. 7This one here is Lovely - the Belleview - and it’s extremely popular. It has a famous chef, so it’s not cheap, but the standard of the food is very high. It's right by the sea and there are wonderful views if you get a good table. 8Then there's The Lighthouse Café - you can see the picture here - which isn't really a café at all. In fact, it’s a great restaurant and a Lot of TV celebrities and actors eat there. The place has been going for over a hundred years! It's quite an institution around here.
Tourist: Mm. I'm not sure about those two - they sound too expensive to me. I was thinking of somewhere small, not too up-market, but with good food.
TOA: 9In that case what about Harvey's? The same family has run this restaurant for over a century. and it's reasonably priced and really popular with local people. 10And there's another family-run restaurant. Stonecroft House. New owners took over a month ago and they’re getting good reviews. There's a new chef there and the food is meant to be very good. This leaflet has the contact details for all the restaurants so you can just call them if you'd like to book a table.
Tourist: Great, thanks. You’ve been very helpful.
