I I. Read and translate the following text: Tourist Information Center

T ourist information comes in a variety of forms, but the two most important are probably Tourist Information Centers (TICs) and websites.

TICs are found in city centers, major resorts, and transport termini. Tourist information offices, which may be smaller than TICs, are also found in smaller towns and rural areas. They may be also called visitor centers or centres (British English), visitor information centers and represent physical locations that provide tourist information to the visitors who tour the place or area.

A visitor center is usually located at a specific attraction or place of interest, such as a landmark, national or state park, providing information (such as trail maps, camp sites, staff contact, restrooms, etc.) and in-depth educational exhibits and artifact displays (for example, about natural or cultural history). Often a film or other media display is used. If the site has guided tours, the visitor center is often the place where these are coordinated.

A tourist information center provides visitors to a location with information on the area's attractions, lodgings, maps, and other items relevant to tourism. Often these centers are operated at the airport or other port of entry by the local government or chamber of commerce. Inside the TIC there will be displays of leaflets and brochures on local attractions, entertainment venues and events, transport information such as timetables and schedules, and listings of accommodation providers. Many TICs have touch screen facilities and interactive information displays, as well as trained staff.

Staff will be expected to provide information on a range of areas – such as which restaurant provides a high chair for a baby, the best place for a scenic walk or drive, how to get to local sights, and where the nearest toilets are. Some TICs will have an accommodation booking service, including booking accommodation at the next destination for tourists who are travelling around the region. They may also be able to reserve theatre tickets, arrange car rental, book an excursion or a guide, change currency and even make an emergency dental appointment.

In the United Kingdom, there is a nationwide network of Tourist Information Centres run by the British Tourist Authority (BTA), represented online by the VisitBritain website and public relations organization. Other TICs are run by local authorities or through private organizations in association with BTA. There is a TIC in every big city of Ukraine as well. The first TIC in the western region was created in Lviv in 2000 at the Lviv Tourism Association. It is located in the City Hall (City Hall). Its officers offer professional information services to tourists and tourism organizations. They provide accurate, reliable comprehensive information for tourists visiting Lviv; distribute leaflets about the best restaurants, cafes, bars, entertainment venues and all the other exciting attractions in Lviv, as well as collection of information about the tourism industry (statistical data analysis, etc.) conduct an analysis of tourist flows and market research.

To work in a TIC, a pleasant and helpful personality is essential. You should have a good telephone manner, be able to work with computers, and have good written skills. Knowledge of one or more foreign languages is also very useful as a tourist information officer / counsellor deals with foreigners on a daily basis.