Friends who are engaged in overseas cultural tourism and exhibition hall operation must have all been troubled by the rental issue of tour guide equipment: there are long queues of tourists in front of the manual Windows, and some people leave in a hurry without being able to rent one in time. When it was closing time, there were still tourists holding the equipment and unable to find a place to return it. Every day after work, I have to manually charge and disinfect the equipment. Not only do I work until midnight, but I’m also always worried about which one I might miss. At the end of the month, when we take stock of the equipment, it’s either missing or the battery level is incorrect, and the accounts don’t match up either. These troublesome issues not only devalue the tourists’ experience but also wear out the operation team.
In fact, all these problems can be solved by a set of self-service tour guide rental cabinets. We, Yingmi, have been engaged in the production of interpretation equipment for 18 years. We have helped over 6,000 venues worldwide implement this system, from the British Museum to the Taihu Lake Scenic Area in Suzhou, and the feedback has been particularly positive. It doesn’t require human supervision. Tourists can rent and return the equipment by themselves. It can also charge and disinfect automatically. The status of the equipment can be viewed in real time in the background, which is both worry-free and efficient. Today, let’s talk to our overseas friends about how useful this “Smart Little Manager” is and what practical problems it can help venues solve.
I.One set of cabinets can handle rental and return, management, charging, and promotion all
The core of the self-service tour guide rental cabinet is to “automate services”. From tourists renting equipment to venues managing it, the entire process does not require human intervention. Every function hits the pain point:
(1) 30-second rental and return, tourists don’t have to wait
The most annoying thing for overseas tourists is queuing. In the past, renting a tour guide device, finding the window, filling in the information and waiting for change, the whole process would take more than 10 minutes. During the peak season, they even had to wait in a long queue. Self-service tour guide rental cabinets are much faster: Tourists walk up to the cabinet, click a few times on the screen, scan the code to pay the deposit, and the corresponding compartment will pop open with a “pop”. They can take the equipment and leave. The whole process takes less than 30 seconds. It’s simpler to return. Just put the equipment into the empty compartment at random, and the system will automatically identify it. The deposit will be refunded to the account instantly without waiting for the staff to verify.
A European museum used to have long queues at its manual Windows every day. However, after the introduction of rental cabinets, the average time tourists spend renting equipment has dropped from 12 minutes to 30 seconds. During peak season, no one has complained about not being able to rent equipment anymore. Many independent travelers have given feedback: “We arrived at the scenic spot in the early hours of the morning and thought we couldn’t rent any equipment. We didn’t expect that the cabinets could be used 24 hours a day. It’s so convenient.”
(2) Real-time viewing of equipment status without the need for manual inventory checks
For overseas venues, managing dozens or even hundreds of navigation devices is too exhausting: in the past, people had to check one by one where the devices were, whether they were powered on, and whether they had been rented out. Taking stock once would take a whole day, and mistakes were always made. The self-service tour guide rental cabinet is equipped with an Internet of Things module. The status of each device can be transmitted to the background in real time – which one is charging in the warehouse, which one has been rented out, and which one has low battery and needs maintenance. All these can be clearly seen by opening a mobile phone or computer, without the need for manual verification.
For instance, during the peak season of a certain overseas scenic spot, the rental cabinets at the entrance were always fully booked as shown in the background. The operation team immediately transferred equipment from other areas to make up for it, ensuring that no tourists were left idle. Based on the data, it was found that the weekend afternoon is the peak rental period. Therefore, the equipment was fully charged and disinfected in advance to ensure that the service chain would not be disrupted during the peak hours. This digital management has reduced the inventory time from half a day to five minutes, and the management efficiency has directly increased tenfold.
(3) Automatic charging + disinfection, hygienic and worry-free
The tour guide equipment is used dozens of times a day. Charging and disinfecting it are the most exhausting tasks: in the past, the staff had to plug in the charging cables one by one, and after charging, they had to wipe it with alcohol, which was time-consuming and prone to leakage. The self-service tour guide rental cabinet is equipped with a charging function. Once the device is placed in the compartment, the contacts will automatically connect. When taken out, it will be fully charged and there is no need to manually plug in the wires. The high-end model also comes with ultraviolet disinfection. After the equipment is returned, the compartment will automatically turn on the ultraviolet sterilization function and only turn it off after the sterilization is completed, truly achieving “one person, one machine, one disinfection”.
After a scenic spot in Southeast Asia installed cabinets with disinfection functions, tourists have never complained about the equipment being dirty again. Especially after the pandemic, many tourists specifically said, “We only dared to use them after seeing the disinfection function. We feel particularly at ease.” For the operation team, there is no need to wait in line every day to charge and clean the equipment. The saved time can be used to do more important things.
(4) The screen can also serve as a “promotional screen”, promoting scenic spots at the same time
The screen of the rental cabinet is not only an operation interface but also serves as a promotional window: when no one rents the equipment, the screen will continuously display the venue’s tour map, introductions to key exhibits, event prenotices, and even local cultural videos. For instance, in the rental cabinets of the British Museum, high-definition pictures and short explanations of the museum’s treasures are displayed. Many visitors want to rent the equipment to learn more after seeing them. The cabinets in overseas exhibition halls will display the highlights of the company’s products. Visitors will have an impression of the products before they even start their visit.
For overseas tourists, this is a good channel to learn about the venues. For the venue, it is equivalent to having an additional free billboard, which unconsciously enhances the brand image.
II. It reduces costs and enhances experience, making it highly suitable for overseas venues
Compared with traditional manual rental, the advantages of self-service tour guide rental cabinets are too obvious, especially suitable for the needs of overseas venues:
(1) Save on labor costs and no need for supervision 24 hours a day
The labor cost overseas is high. In the past, when renting equipment, 2 to 3 people had to be assigned to stand guard at the window, and they also had to take care of charging and disinfection. The annual salary alone was quite a lot. Self-service tour guide rental cabinets operate 24 hours a day without human intervention. One cabinet can do the work of three people, freeing people up to do more manual tasks such as guiding tourists and providing emergency services.
There is a 5A-level overseas scenic area. After introducing 10 rental cabinets, it has saved over 200,000 US dollars in labor costs every year and can provide 24-hour service. The number of visitors has increased by 40% compared to before. It is more cost-effective for small and medium-sized venues. There is no need to add more people, and the service capacity is directly improved.
(2) It can meet the needs of overseas tourists, and there is no problem with language payment
Overseas tourists come from different countries. Language barriers and different payment methods are major problems. The self-service tour guide rental cabinet supports 8 commonly used languages. Tourists can switch to their native language by simply tapping the screen, and the operation interface is easy to understand at a glance. Payment is also flexible. Whether it’s wechat, Alipay, VISA or MasterCard credit cards, the deposit can be paid smoothly without the need to exchange cash.
There was a scenic spot in the Middle East where many tourists couldn’t rent equipment due to the limited payment methods. After switching to rental cabinets, it now supports international credit card payments and allows tourists who speak minor languages to switch to Arabic interfaces. As a result, the rental rate has increased by 50%. Tourist feedback: “There’s no need to communicate with the staff. I can handle it by myself. There’s no language pressure. It’s so comfortable.”
(3) The equipment is not prone to damage and can be used for a longer time
Tour guide equipment is frequently used overseas. In the past, it was often placed or taken around casually, and it was common for it to get dropped or bumped. The cost of maintenance and replacement was high. The compartments of the self-guided tour rental cabinets are sealed, so the equipment placed inside will not be bumped. When returning, the system will also automatically inspect the appearance of the equipment. If there is any damage, it will immediately alert the operator, allowing for timely repair and reducing losses.
Data shows that after using rental cabinets, the equipment damage rate dropped from 15% to 3%, the service life was extended by 2 to 3 years, and a considerable amount of money was saved on equipment replacement. A museum used to repair 10 pieces of equipment every half a year. After using rental cabinets, only one piece breaks down in a year. The operation team no longer has to keep an eye on the equipment repairs all the time.
(4) It can also earn more money and enhance the brand image
Self-service tour guide rental cabinets are not only service tools but also can help venues earn more rental income. Especially during peak seasons, dozens or even hundreds of them can be rented out in a single day. The accumulated income is considerable. Moreover, the cabinet has a highly technological appearance. Printed with the venue’s LOGO or distinctive patterns, it looks particularly professional and can enhance the high-end image of the venue.
After a certain enterprise’s overseas factory exhibition hall adopted custom-made rental cabinets, it not only earned additional income through rental but also made visiting partners feel that “even the tour guide equipment is so intelligent, the enterprise’s strength must be strong”, indirectly helping to enhance the willingness to cooperate.
III. It can be adapted to any venue
Self-service tour guide rental cabinets are particularly flexible and can be used in museums, scenic spots and enterprise exhibition halls overseas. We also have many practical cases:
(1) Museums/Art Galleries: Help visitors enjoy in-depth exhibitions
There are many exhibits in overseas museums, and it is easy for tourists to not understand them when they visit on their own. The rental cabinet is placed at the entrance. Tourists can rent a device and talk about it wherever they go, allowing them to clearly hear the stories behind the cultural relics. The rental cabinets at the British Museum will also adjust their contents according to the exhibition areas. The Egyptian exhibition area has explanations in Egyptian, while the Chinese exhibition area has explanations in Chinese. Visitors can choose the language they are familiar with, doubling their exhibition experience.
(2) Outdoor scenic spots: Free exploration without getting lost
Overseas scenic spots are large in area and have complex routes. Tourists visiting on their own are prone to getting lost. At the entrance and the viewing platform, rental cabinets are placed. After tourists rent the equipment, they can not only listen to explanations but also view electronic maps, knowing where they are and which way to go. The Tianmu Lake Scenic Area in Jiangsu Province has placed rental cabinets by the lake. When tourists get tired from walking, they can return the equipment easily and flexibly. No one complains about “not being able to find the way” anymore.
(3) Enterprise Exhibition Hall: Professional reception is effortless
Overseas enterprises cannot send tour guides every day when receiving clients for visits. The equipment in the rental cabinet is pre-stored with explanations of the company’s history and product technology. When customers rent it themselves to have a look, the guides can focus on answering professional questions, and the reception efficiency is much higher. After the overseas exhibition hall adopted the rental cabinets, customers have a higher degree of autonomy when visiting, a deeper understanding of the products, and smoother cooperation negotiations.
(4) Temporary Activities: Express pick-up service
For temporary events such as overseas international conferences and exhibitions, rapid guided tour services are required. The rental cabinet does not require complicated installation. Just plug it in after opening the box and it can be used. After the event, it can be removed directly without affecting the subsequent use of the venue. At an international conference of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, rental cabinets were used. Representatives from various countries could rent the equipment at any time to listen to the explanations. It was also very convenient for them to leave after the event. The organizers said, “It’s much more convenient than finding a temporary guide.”
Iv. What Can We do for Overseas Venues? Don’t worry about the technology
Many overseas venues are worried that they “don’t know how to install” or “no one will repair them when they break down”. In fact, we offer full-process services, handling everything from customization to after-sales for you:
(1) Customized according to your needs
You can customize what language interface you want, which payment methods are supported, and what patterns you want to print on the cabinet’s appearance. For instance, if the Middle East venue requires an Arabic interface, we will help you add it. For the cabinets in the scenic area that need to be waterproof and sun-proof, we choose the special materials for users. If a company wants to print a LOGO, it can also accurately reproduce it.
(2) Global after-sales service, no need to panic if problems occur
If the equipment breaks down overseas, you can contact the local cooperative service point for repair or send it back to us. It will be repaired and sent back within 10 working days. If it is urgently needed, we can also send the spare equipment first to avoid delaying the reception. 24-hour online technical support is available. No matter which country you are in, feel free to call or send a video message at any time. Our technicians will guide you step by step to solve the problems.
(3) We will help you implement the entire chain
We will send someone to install and debug on-site, teaching your team how to use the back-end and how to maintain it. They will also offer you operational suggestions, such as where to rent cabinets quickly and how to optimize services through data, so you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
(4) Flexible cooperation and no waste of money
If your budget is large, buy; if it’s small, rent. Rent cabinets during peak seasons to cope with the peak period and return them during off-peak seasons. Small venues can also be operated in a joint venture. There’s no need to spend a large sum of money first. Once the money is made, it can be divided. Do as it is cost-effective as possible.
V. Conclusion: Let smart devices help overseas venues save effort
Nowadays, overseas venues are all pursuing intelligent operation. Self-service tour guide rental cabinets are the most practical “helpers” – they enable tourists to rent equipment faster and use it more at ease, make it easier and less costly for the operation team to manage the equipment, and also enhance the image of the venue at the same time.
For 18 years, at Yingmi, we have been striving to make our tour guide services simpler. If you are still troubled by the rental management of tour guide equipment, you might as well try the self-service tour guide rental cabinet. Let it help you maximize your operational efficiency and use the saved time and energy to enhance the visitor experience.