Sycomore, a creator of multilingual, multimedia and audio experiences enhanced by intuitive digital and hardware solutions, has recently opened a new office in Dublin, Ireland, where Vox plans to hire 50 staff over the next three years. The company is a brand of Vox Group, a global leader for guiding solutions in tourism and culture, which plans to invest €5 million in the Dublin office because it is confident that tourism will return strongly in the wake of the pandemic.
Since lockdown Sycomore has been developing products and services that allow sites, venues and attractions to create unforgettable experiences, enhanced on the best hardware and software platforms. Its booking and ticketing software, added to its relationship with online travel agencies, can help venues of any size to thrive.
Visitor numbers set to rise
According to Visit Britain, inbound visits are set to increase to 21.1 million in 2022, with tourism spending rising to £16.9 billion. This is equivalent to 52% of 2019’s visitor figures and 59% of 2019’s spending levels. As traveller confidence improves and travel restrictions look to stay relaxed, the future seems bright for the tourism sector.
By summer it is forecast that around half of pre-COVID inbound visitor volume will have returned. By the end of 2022, it is expected that visits will have recovered to around two-thirds of pre-COVID levels. In addition, the expected spend-per-visit is likely to remain higher than before the pandemic, as visitors stay longer.
Boosting footfall & revenue
Revenue is key for the recovery of museums and cultural venues, but decreasing budgets, falling visitor numbers and/or museums being urged to sever sponsorship deals that no longer fit with their ideals are all having an impact.
In response, operators need to plan for new audiences and explore new stories, in order to increase footfall. Many are also working to increase dwell time, which can in turn boost ratings and visitor numbers. Encouraging more spending in museum shops and better relationships with the towns and cities in which cultural venues sit can all contribute to a better economic uplift, for both the venue and the town or city itself.
“We must put our positive and best foot forward to ensure that culture and heritage remain at the heart of coming out of any financial crisis,” says Sycomore.
“Museums strengthen cultural identities and support social cohesion – something we need now more than ever.”
Sycomore is a leading provider of museum digital guides and digital content services, creating unforgettable guest experiences with museums and cultural organizations for more than 35 years. From classic audio guides to cutting edge digital solutions; multimedia smart devices and ticketing software; the company is able to deliver turnkey innovative solutions for a range of projects.
Thanks to its connection with Vox Group, Sycomore is uniquely placed to offer a bespoke set of solutions, including Connect by Sycomore.
This data reflects a snapshot in time, based on current knowledge across the Vox Group
