The SmartGuide app was implemented at Clam-Gallas Palace (administered by the Museum of Prague) in an effort to expand the tour offerings and improve the visitor experience. Its deployment has brought several tangible benefits and demonstrated potential for other tourist and cultural institutions. Let's break it down.
Audio guide based on the SmartGuide platform was first made available in October 2023 in Czech and English versions. It featured a dramatized dialogue between two Atlantes who introduced visitors to the history and artistic decoration of the palace in an engaging way. It was supplemented with visual materials and texts expanding the information for those interested in a deeper understanding of the subject (Source: MP Team Activity Overview, 2024).
Language mutations: From spring 2024, the audio guide is available in six languages: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Czech. This diversity has responded to the demand from international tourists, who make up 75% of audio guide users.
Technological support: SmartGuide allows easy content management by museum operators. Updates to texts and multimedia materials can be made quickly in the SmartGuide content management system, minimizing management costs and ensuring up-to-date information for visitors.
The digital guide allows for quick response and flexibility in content creation. For example, during Advent 2023, a free-themed Christmas audio guide was offered in the SmartGuide app. The program focused on the aristocratic Advent and the traditions of Baroque Prague. It complemented other activities such as the nativity scene exhibition in the palace courtyard and the exhibition of Baroque fans.
Thematic audio tours are an important complement to the traditional guided tours. They allow for a deeper involvement of visitors, who can choose their own pace and tour according to their preferences.
During the feedback collection in May-August 2024, the audio guide was rated unambiguously positive. Visitors appreciated both the quality of the content and its format and ease of accessibility (MP Team Activity Review, 2024).
The SmartGuide has contributed to widening the range of visitors, particularly from international tourists. This has increased revenue and strengthened the Palace's brand as a sought-after destination.
The SmartGuide app has facilitated access to information and allowed visitors to explore the history of Clam-Gallas Palace independently. This form of presentation appealed particularly to international tourists for whom language accessibility is a key factor.
Personalized experience: The ability to choose own pace and content (as well as easy localization of content into 30 languages) has led to greater satisfaction among visitors.
Educational benefit: Multimedia content contributes to a better understanding of the historical and cultural context.
Photographs: the Clam-Gallas Palace (Martin Frouz; Martin Mádl, ÚDU AV ČR; Jan Vlasák; Martin Stránský; Jaroslav Svoboda)
Based on the experience of Clam-Gallas Palace, the SmartGuide App can be recommended for:
Museums and galleries: Allows for an expanded range of tours and access to international audiences.
Historical monuments and tourist attractions: It offers multimedia content and augmented reality - suitable for interpreting architectural and artistic elements.
Tourist destinations: It helps to increase the attractiveness of a place and visitor engagement, thanks to AI-powered personalized recommendations.
The case of Clam-Gallas Palace shows that SmartGuide offers museums and institutions flexibility in content creation, language accessibility and responsiveness to seasonal needs. At the same time, it can serve as a complement to traditional guided tours and reach a wider range of visitors. It is a tool that is not just a technological superstructure, but makes a fundamental contribution to the modern presentation of history and culture.
If you would like to learn more about how to implement SmartGuide for your institution, please contact us.
We can help you create modern and engaging tours that appeal to visitors worldwide.