A pilot project unique in Europe is currently being tested in the Alpbachtal tourist region. Guests at 24 accommodation establishments are provided with voice-activated devices that provide information and assist with services. Valuable experience is expected to be gathered within a year.
The "Alpbachtal Voice Concierge" is launching a project unprecedented in this scale. 500 devices will be installed in 24 pilot establishments in the Alpbachtal tourism region. The system will answer guests' everyday questions directly. It was developed in collaboration with Thoesch GmbH and is based on Amazon Alexa Smart Properties. A special feature is its widespread deployment from the project's launch, as well as a dedicated MICE module for the conference sector, which is being tested across an entire destination for the first time in Europe. Furthermore, the project will be continuously developed technically so that partner establishments and guests can continually benefit from new features and improvements.
"This project is a milestone for us. Routine tasks and standard questions can be automated. This frees up our employees' valuable time to devote even more intensively to providing personal service to our guests," says Chairman Frank Kostner of Alpbachtal Tourism. The project is funded by the Tyrolean state government and underscores the region's digitalization initiatives.
The functions range from inquiries like "When is breakfast served?" or ordering towels to booking additional services like a table in a restaurant. Information about excursions, events, or the next bus can also be accessed and displayed on the screen. All without having to pick up the phone or go to the reception. Echo Show 8 devices with dedicated hotel functions in German and English are used. Alexa tools such as radio, alarm clock, etc. are also available.
Until now, individual hotels have experimented with voice systems. The Alpbach Valley is the first to install its own smart device in every room, making voice assistance an infrastructure component for an entire destination. Its use isn't limited to the vacation sector; a dedicated component is aimed at the conference and congress sector. In the future, conference guests will receive up-to-date information about programs, rooms, supporting events, and changes in their rooms. To ensure this works smoothly, close cooperation between the tourist board and the Alpbach Congress Centre is required, as well as a secure data structure. The introduction and initial test phase deliberately coincided with the European Forum Alpbach. Up to 4,000 visitors travel to the region during the forum. The voice assistant can provide businesses with enormous relief.
"For us, the project is a beacon for the industry. Voice control is not only transforming the hotel industry, but also creating a completely new guest experience in tourism. The easiest way to communicate with machines is through your own language. And that's exactly what we're making available to guests," says Bernhard Rieder, Managing Director of Thoesch GmbH. At the same time, data protection is fully guaranteed. Voice requests are not saved, personal data is not collected, and any device can be deactivated by the guest at any time. The first version for the conference area is scheduled to be tested in live operation in the Alpbach Valley in autumn 2025. The results will be evaluated after one year.