Nowadays, whether visiting overseas museums, factories or participating in study Tours, one can always see the presence of self-service tour guides. The scenarios that previously relied on manual explanations are gradually being replaced by these smart devices that “talk wherever you go” – they do not require a dedicated person to accompany, support multi-language switching, and can also help venues save a lot of labor costs. No wonder more and more overseas users are paying for them.
We, Yingmi, have been engaged in the production of audio guide equipment for 18 years. We have witnessed the self-service audio guide devices evolve from being able to simply play audio in the early days to now being capable of automatic sensing and intelligent management. We have served over 4,000 overseas clients worldwide, ranging from the British Museum to Huawei’s overseas factories. We truly understand the potential of this industry. Today, let’s talk to friends overseas about why the self-service tour guide industry has risen and what opportunities are still worth seizing in the future.
I.Nowadays, self-service audio guides are no longer just “capable of listening to audio”
The self-service tour guide industry has undergone significant changes in recent years. The products have become increasingly user-friendly and can be adapted to more and more scenarios. They are no longer the bulky and inconvenient ones they were in the early days.
(1) The product is getting more and more considerate, and its functions are so comprehensive that they exceed expectations
Nowadays, self-service tour guides are no longer of a single type. You can choose according to your needs: if you want to save trouble, choose the automatic sensing models (such as M7 and i7 models). With RFID technology, you can talk wherever you go. When visiting scenic spots or museums, you don’t need to operate them by hand. For exhibition halls with a high concentration of exhibits, choose the touchpoint model (such as C7S). Just touch the NFC tag with the device and you can accurately listen to the explanations without any content being mixed. If you need both group reception and individual guests, choose the M7C hybrid model. The automatic sensing and manual explanation modes can be switched at any time, achieving two goals at once.
The functional upgrade is also very practical: the battery life has increased from 4 to 6 hours to 10 to 16 hours. The M7 neck model can last a whole day on a single charge. The number of languages supported has increased from 2-3 to over 8. Minor languages can also be customized. Middle Eastern tourists can listen to Arabic, and Latin American tourists can switch to Spanish. The anti-interference ability has also been enhanced. With 2.4G or UHF high-frequency transmission, even if there are many people in the exhibition hall, there will be no “crosstalk” problem, and the sound can be heard clearly.
(2) Not only can it be used in scenic spots, but it is also being used in many fields
Self-service tour guides have long transcended the cultural and tourism circle. Now, “wherever you need a tour guide, there it is.”
There’s no need to mention the museums in scenic spots. Popular attractions like Gulangyu Island in Xiamen and Taihu Lake in Suzhou are all using them. Individual tourists don’t have to wait for tour guides and can explore them in depth on their own.
Enterprises also love to use it. For some overseas factory visits and product launches, they rely on it to explain the production process and product advantages to international customers, without having to repeatedly find multilingual guides.
School study Tours are even more indispensable. Beijing Foreign Studies University takes students abroad for investigation and uses it as a mobile classroom. Students learn wherever they go, and the multilingual explanations can also help them understand professional knowledge.
Even in government receptions and international conferences, it can be used. At the SCO International Judicial Conference, it became a “secret weapon” for multilingual communication, ensuring accurate information transmission without deviation.
(3)The overseas market is selling extremely well and the demand has been constantly rising
With the recovery of international tourism and the increase in cross-border exchanges, overseas markets have long become highly sought-after for self-service tour guides. Our products have passed international certifications such as CE and ROHS and are exported to many places in Europe, America and Asia. Well-known overseas venues like the British Museum and Zhouzhuang Museum are all using water. The demand is the highest in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe. After all, there are many international tourists and manual guides are expensive. Self-service guides just solve these pain points, and naturally, more and more people are buying them.
Ii. Why have self-service tour guides Become so popular? Three core reasons cannot be concealed
The transformation of self-service tour guides from “niche equipment” to “essential items” is no accident. It is the result of the joint efforts of policies, markets, and technologies, each of which has hit the demands of overseas users.
(1)Policy support and an extremely favorable development environment
Many countries around the world are promoting the upgrading of cultural tourism and encouraging venues to become digital and intelligent. For instance, China has merged the Ministry of Culture and the National Tourism Administration to vigorously develop digital cultural tourism. Many European countries have launched “Smart Cultural tourism plans” to provide support for the introduction of smart devices in venues. Southeast Asian countries are also investing heavily in upgrading tourism facilities, and self-service tour guides have become a must-have option for upgrading scenic spots.
Moreover, international trade is becoming increasingly convenient nowadays. Products that have passed CE and ROHS certifications can be exported smoothly without getting stuck at the access stage. We started our foreign trade business in 2016. Over the years, thanks to favorable policies, our overseas sales have been increasing year by year. Our goal for 2024 is to add 8 million in sales. The prospects are obviously good.
(2) Users need to solve practical troubles
Both venue operators and visitors can benefit from the self-service tour guides, which naturally make them popular.
For tourists, they can play at their own pace, without having to rush into a tour group. They can stay longer in front of the exhibits they like and choose their native language to listen to the explanations, without having to guess the meaning through translation software. For instance, the i7 ear-hanging model weighs only 20 grams. You can wear it all day without getting tired. The language can also be automatically saved, and you can switch directly next time you use it. It’s very considerate.
It can save a large amount of money for venues and enterprises. Human tour guides not only have high salaries, but it is also difficult to recruit multilingual tour guides. Self-service tour guides can be purchased once and used for a long time, and the subsequent maintenance costs are also low. After an overseas museum adopted it, the cost of manual explanations dropped by 60%, while the reception efficiency increased by 50%. It is truly a “cost-cutting and efficiency-boosting wonder tool”.
(3) Technological upgrades, providing an increasingly excellent experience
Technological progress has made self-service tour guides increasingly user-friendly. They are no longer the rudimentary devices that could only listen to sounds as they were in the early days.
The Internet of Things (iot) technology simplifies management. Venue staff can view the battery level and location of each device in the background without having to count them one by one. The centralized charging boxes can also be used for batch charging and ultraviolet disinfection, saving a lot of manpower.
AI and AR/VR technologies have also been incorporated. In the future, real-time translation and voice Q&A will be possible. Tourists can directly ask questions in their native language, and the devices will answer them. Just by scanning the cultural relics, 3D models and historical animations can be produced, which is much more interesting than simply listening to explanations. It is said that in the next five years, the market related to AR/VR explanations can reach 15 to 20 billion yuan, with huge potential.
III.Don’t miss these opportunities overseas. There are business opportunities in different regions and scenarios
The overseas market is so vast that not all places and scenarios are the same. Only by finding the right direction can you avoid detours. These opportunities are worth paying close attention to
(1)Regional opportunities: These three places have the strongest demand
Europe: There are many cultural venues, tourists have high demands for experiences, and labor costs are extremely high. Self-service tour guides are almost standard equipment in venues. The British Museum is a good example, and there will be many upgrade demands in the future.
In Southeast Asia, the tourism industry is just recovering, and scenic spots are all busy upgrading their facilities. Self-service tour guides, as low-cost and efficient equipment, are particularly popular, especially the waterproof and portable models, which are very suitable for island and outdoor scenic spots.
In the Middle East, there are an increasing number of international tourists, and the demand for multilingual services is particularly strong. Moreover, they have high requirements for the appearance and quality of equipment, and there are many customized demands. By doing well in these two aspects, they can gain a firm foothold.
(2) Scene Opportunities: These “new tracks” have great potential
In addition to traditional scenic area museums, several other scenarios are booming:
– Industrial tourism: Overseas factory visits and industrial park receptions are becoming increasingly common. Enterprises need professional equipment to explain the production process to customers. Huawei’s overseas factories use our E8-GT main speaker, which can not only be explained manually but also play pre-stored audio, making it particularly practical.
– Study tour education: International study tour activities are becoming increasingly frequent. Schools need equipment that is easy to operate and manage. The i7 model has anti-theft alarms and return reminders. Teachers don’t have to keep an eye on students all the time, which is particularly worry-free.
VIP reception: For high-end exhibitions and corporate VIP receptions, customized equipment is required, such as printing brand logos and pre-recording exclusive explanations. Cars do this, which can significantly enhance the reception level.
Iv. Future Development Trends: These four directions will become increasingly popular as they are pursued
The self-service tour guide industry is not a flash in the pan. It will grow bigger and bigger in the future. These four trends must be closely watched:
(1)More immersive experience: AI+AR/VR play new tricks
In the future, self-service tour guides will become increasingly “intelligent”. AI real-time translation will enable tourists to communicate with the devices in their native language, answering any questions they ask. AR technology can scan cultural relics to produce 3D models and restore historical scenes, just like “traveling back in time” to the past. VR can even create virtual exhibition halls, allowing visitors to explore without having to go to the site in person, and the experience is directly maximized. We are already laying out these technologies, aiming to make the explanations more interesting and immersive.
(2)More flexible model: Rental and sharing, no need to spend a lot of money
Not all venues can afford the equipment, and the rental and sharing models will become increasingly popular. Visitors can rent by scanning the code and return it directly after use. The venue doesn’t have to spend a lot of money at one time and can also be managed with ease. Our self-service shared tour guide rental system supports mini-program payment and data management. It is widely used in many small and medium-sized venues and temporary exhibitions and is particularly popular.
(3)More considerate service: We’ll handle the entire process for you without you having to go through all the trouble yourself
Overseas users are most afraid that no one will take care of the equipment they have purchased. In the future, the competition will not only be about products but also services. From the initial stage of customizing solutions for you and recording content in multiple languages, to the mid-term on-site installation and commissioning, employee training, and then to the later stage of maintenance and technical upgrades, the full-process service will become the core competitiveness. We offer global warranty. If the equipment breaks down, it will be repaired within 10 working days. We can also send a spare device first. We just don’t want our customers to worry.
(4)Cross-border integration: Binding with other industries, there is greater space
Self-service tour guides will cooperate with more industries. For instance, they will join hands with tourism platforms to enable the purchase of both tickets and tour guides at the same time. Collaborate with schools to develop dedicated content for study Tours and create a “hardware + content” package. Even integrate into smart cities and connect with the city’s tourism system to make it more convenient for tourists to visit. The more cross-border collaborations there are, the more opportunities there will be and the larger the industrial space will become.
Conclusion: The self-service tour guide industry has a promising future
The current self-service tour guide industry is experiencing its best period of development. With policy support, market demand, and advanced technology, the overseas market is a vast blue ocean. From product upgrades to scene expansions, from technological innovations to model optimizations, every step is creating new opportunities. It not only helps venues and enterprises reduce costs and increase efficiency, but also enables tourists to have a more enjoyable time. It is a truly “win-win industry”.
For 18 years, Yingmi has been dedicated to making self-service tour guides more user-friendly for overseas users. Whether it’s scenic spots, enterprises or schools, everyone can find a suitable solution for themselves. In the future, we will continue to increase investment in technology, integrating new features such as AI and AR/VR to make our products more user-friendly and considerate.
If you are an overseas venue operator, a corporate reception manager, or a teacher in an educational institution and want to enhance your service and save costs with self-service tour guides, feel free to contact us. Yingmi will help you customize a customized solution and seize this development opportunity.