Regarding tangible drivers, both groups mentioned permanent as well as temporary
features. However, when it comes to intangible drives the two groups’ perspectives
differ. While the design experts clearly recognize the value of social interactions, their focus is not on the interactions per se, but rather on creating physical surroundings that facilitate such interactions. The managers, on the other hand, emphasize in particular the role of interpersonal interactions as central drivers. The social factors believed to be relevant by hospitality managers are interaction between staff-members (staff-staff) between staff and guests (staff-guest), and between guests (guest-guest). Consequently, we can conclude that atmosphere as it relates to the hospitality industry is believed to be created by a combination of physical factors (tangibles) and social factors (intangibles). The physical factors include permanent features such as location, architecture and design as well as temporary features, which can be termed as atmospherics, i.e. various types of additional elements used to reinforce the intended atmosphere, such as a bonfire on barbeque evenings, fresh flower arrangements, particular staff costumes and table-settings.