Local Flavor: Using Airport Announcements to Create a Sense of Place

Airports serve as the first and last impression of a city or region for millions of travelers each year. They are more than transit hubs; they are cultural gateways that shape how visitors perceive a destination. One of the most overlooked tools for creating this impression is the public address system.

With PAXGuide from Sittig Technologies, airports can move beyond generic messaging to deliver culturally rich, locally relevant announcements that make travelers feel genuinely welcomed.

Why Localized Airport Announcements Matter

Most airport announcements focus on operational details such as boarding calls, gate changes, or baggage claim instructions. While these are essential, they often lack emotional impact and are similar across airports worldwide.

By incorporating local identity into the announcement system, airports can achieve the following:

• Provide passengers with a warm, personalized welcome.

• Reinforce the airport’s identity as an extension of the destination.

• Promote cultural tourism and regional pride.

• Differentiate the airport in an increasingly competitive market.

Connecting Through Dialects and Local Language

Language carries deep cultural meaning. Standardized messages may not fully connect with travelers in the way that regional dialects and accents can. This is where PAXGuide excels.

Supporting more than 149 languages and dialects, PAXGuide enables announcements in the specific form of speech that travelers associate with a place. Whether it is Mexican Spanish in Mexico City, Swiss German in Zurich, or French Canadian in Montreal, authenticity enhances emotional connection and clarity.

Powered by Advanced Text-to-Speech Technology

PAXGuide integrates with the world’s most advanced Text-to-Speech (TTS) engines. These systems produce high-quality, natural-sounding audio that reflects local pronunciation and vocal characteristics. The platform also supports prompt voice recordings for languages or dialects where TTS is not yet sufficient.

This approach guarantees:

• Consistent pronunciation aligned with local expectations.

• Clear and intelligible speech even in noisy environments.

• A coherent voice identity across all announcements.

Delivering Local Character with Seamless Automation

PAXGuide allows cultural messaging to be fully automated. Using scheduling tools within the PAXpaging or PAXadmin interfaces, operators can include holiday greetings, seasonal messages, or announcements tied to local events alongside operational updates.

The system intelligently integrates with existing infrastructure and uses real-time data from systems such as AODB and FIDS to ensure timely, relevant communication.

Benefits include:

• Stronger sense of place and emotional resonance.

• Enhanced passenger satisfaction and tourism support.

• Targeted, zone-specific messaging that reduces noise pollution.

Make Your Airport’s Voice Reflect Its Identity

The public address system is the first voice travelers hear when they arrive and the last they hear when they leave. With PAXGuide, that voice can represent the heart and culture of your destination.

By delivering multilingual, culturally meaningful, and automated announcements, airports can elevate the passenger experience while improving operational efficiency.

The Importance of Local Dialects

Language is more than just a communication tool — it’s part of a community’s cultural heritage. In many regions, local dialects carry authenticity, familiarity, and emotional connection that a standardized language can’t fully convey.

PAXGuide supports over 149 languages and dialects, enabling airports to communicate in the exact form of speech passengers associate with the local area. Whether it’s French Canadian in Montreal, Mexican Spanish in Mexico City, or Omani Arabic in Muscat, the right dialect adds authenticity and warmth to every announcement.

Powered by the Best Text-to-Speech Engines

PAXGuide’s open infrastructure uses the most advanced Text-to-Speech (TTS) engines on the market to ensure every announcement is clear, natural, and true to the local sound.

And we don’t stop there — we are constantly on the hunt for the best local TTS engines to serve each market perfectly. This ensures:

• Natural pronunciation that matches the local dialect.

• High-quality audio clarity even in busy terminal environments.

• Consistent voice identity across all announcements.

Creating a Memorable Sense of Place

PAXGuide makes it simple to integrate local flavor into both audio and visual announcements. With its flexible, data-driven automation, airports can easily schedule welcome messages, seasonal greetings, and cultural references alongside operational updates, without extra workload for staff.

By weaving local identity into announcements, airports can:

• Make passengers feel welcome and connected to the destination.

• Enhance tourism appeal through cultural storytelling.

• Differentiate themselves as memorable travel gateways rather than anonymous transit points.

Your airport is the first voice visitors hear. Make it count.

Contact Sittig Technologies today to discover how PAXGuide can help you deliver authentic, culturally rich, and multilingual announcements that create a true sense of place.

About Sittig Technologies

Sittig Technologies is a leading provider of automatic announcement systems for airports and airlines, revolutionizing communication and efficiency in the aviation industry. The software-based PAXGuide system automates all general and boarding announcements in over 149 languages, leveraging the world’s most advanced AI-driven text-to-speech engines.

The data-driven PAXGuide system integrates seamlessly with existing airport systems, enhancing both passenger experience and operational efficiency. By utilizing data from camera and sensor systems, such as Xovis, our solution ensures timely and accurate communication across the terminal.