Multilingual Local Expert in action on a shore excursion in Rome
Opportunity/Context
The local shore excursion operator for a major cruise company, tasked with managing the cruise line's port calls, faced the challenge of providing multilingual tours to a diverse group of international guests amid a shortage of bilingual local guides. The operator needed a solution that could deliver precise, engaging content in multiple languages while ensuring the presence of a Tour Director (TD) to oversee the experience. The goal was to offer exclusive content that would enhance customer engagement and add significant value to the guest experience.
Solution/Outcome
Vox developed a hybrid solution that seamlessly integrates our advanced guiding systems with the multilingual content available on our state-of-the-art application, POPGuide. This innovative system allows a tour escort to carry a tablet pre-loaded with content in multiple languages. Using a mini-mixer connected to transmitters, the escort can play content in several languages simultaneously by simply pressing play on the tablet. The signal is automatically transmitted to the guests' audio guides, enabling participants of different nationalities within the same group to enjoy the tour in their preferred language. This solution not only provided exclusive content tailored to the needs of the cruise company’s diverse guests but also significantly enhanced customer engagement by delivering a seamless, multilingual experience. The added value service ensured that every guest could fully appreciate the rich cultural and historical insights of the tour, regardless of language barriers, thereby elevating the overall cruise experience.
The Result
With guides speaking into a Vox transmitter pre-set to its own unique frequency, voice commentary was clearly heard by passengers within a 200-metre radius, allowing each tour to flow in a fluid motion and removing the need for the guides to raise their voice. Princess Cruises and their passengers were highly satisfied with their Kirkwall experience. With this increase in customer satisfaction Prince Cruises decided to include Vox Tour Guide Systems in their 2018 UK programme. European Cruise Service now have included the Vox Tour Guide System as an inexpensive, added-value option to complement any future client shore excursion programmes.
