Augsburg, the third largest city in Bavaria, can look back on over 2000 years of history and is one of the oldest cities in Germany. With its unique mixture of historical sights such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site ‘Augsburg Water Management System’, the Fuggerei - the oldest social housing estate in the world - and lively urbanity, it attracts thousands of visitors every year. But especially in the bustling city centre with its vibrant life and numerous events, city guides often face a challenge: how do you ensure that all guests can hear every explanation clearly and distinctly despite the noise?
Since October 2024, Regio Augsburg Tourismus GmbH has mastered this challenge with the elysium® app, providing an innovative, cost-efficient solution for its public guided tours.
From the idea to realisation
Regio Augsburg Tourismus became aware of elysium® back in November 2023. Katja Friedlmeier, responsible for guest services, reports:
We kept getting feedback from guests that our guides were difficult to understand - whether due to construction site noise, ambient noise or the guides' natural voices. Especially in the summer months, when the city is full of life, this problem was raised time and again.
The search for a solution initially led the team to classic hardware solutions such as tour guide systems. However, these options proved to be impractical and expensive. Friedlmeier explains:
Such systems would not only have been costly, but also a logistical challenge. Tours often don't end at the starting point and collecting devices would have been very cumbersome. We would also have needed human resources to maintain and manage the equipment.
The path to the solution: digital, flexible and hygienic
After intensive research, the team finally came across elysium®. An initial online meeting to present the app in November 2023 was already convincing, and at an on-site meeting in February 2024 with Tourism Director Götz Beck, those responsible were able to see the user-friendliness and flexibility of the system for themselves. The final decision was made after a presentation at the guides' annual conference in September 2024, supported by two online webinars that made it easier for the guides to get started.
Why elysium® is the perfect choice
Regio Augsburg Tourismus decided in favour of elysium® because the app offers a number of advantages:
- No hardware required - guides and guests use their own smartphones & headphones
- Easy to use - participation via QR code or PIN, without app download
- High level of hygiene - no device replacement, no disinfection required
- Immediately ready for use - no charging or distribution of technology
- Minimum effort, maximum effect
elysium® impressed us with its concept,’ says Friedlmeier. ‘It is flexible, modern and ready for immediate use with minimal effort. Our guides don't have to carry or distribute any additional equipment - that's a big advantage, especially with busy schedules.
Tourism Director Götz Beck adds:
elysium® gives us a user-friendly audio solution for guests that increases the quality of our city tours. Even with larger groups or an increased noise level, guests can hear the guide clearly.
Communicating the innovation: Simply test it - free of charge!
A test phase has been initiated to publicise the introduction of the new system:
+++ New: Test phase of the elysium® sound amplification system! Free of charge from 1 October 2024 to January 2025. What you need: smartphone, internet connection and headphones. +++
This information is not only distributed on the Regio Augsburg Tourismus website and on social media, but is also prominently displayed on an info screen in the tourist information centre. The screen features a slider showing the advantages of elysium® and instructions on how to use it. The guides themselves also inform participants at the start of each tour about how easy and practical it is to take part.
The first month with elysium®
The system has been running reliably since its introduction in October. The feedback from participants has been consistently positive: thanks to the clear audio transmission, guests can now easily understand everything, even in noisy environments - a real added value for the guided tours in Augsburg's lively city centre.
Some guides had technical reservations at first, but these quickly subsided,’ reports Friedlmeier.
Outlook: The future of city tours is digital
With the introduction of elysium®, Regio Augsburg Tourismus has taken a decisive step towards modern and effective guest services. Katja Friedlmeier summarises:
elysium® is exactly the solution we were looking for. It combines ease of use, cost efficiency and a high level of satisfaction among guests and guides. We are looking forward to using the app even more intensively in the current season.
We are proud to be able to support Regio Augsburg Tourismus in this exciting project and look forward to many more success stories from the Fuggerstadt!
