Walking tours implement headsets to improve quality of life
Apr 02, 2025
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) -- Downtown walking tours will make some changes with headsets after complaints from neighbors about the noise.
WSAV spoke with the ‘Savannah Black History Tour’ owner Rita Fuller-Yates about how it's using headsets to keep down the racket in the historic district.
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It allows for a quieter square, allows for a respectful square, allows for the residents to feel comfortable in their own spaces because we're respecting their spaces,” Fuller-Yates said.
It is a new concept for the company, brought to Downtown Savannah last Thursday.
“When we realized it was an effective way to share stories, we also understood it was an effective way to respect the noise ordinance in the squares,” she said.
Downtown neighbors said walking tours pack city sidewalks and bring noise to residential areas, diminishing the quality of life.
“I was doing a tour over the weekend, and I was right next to another tour of about 20 people, and we had like 20 people as well,” she explained.
She told WSAV the headsets are a cost-effective way address these issues.
The headsets will also have the ability to infuse sound effects, pre-recorded clips, music and more. However, there are concerns that the company is working to deal with.
“I think one big concern that the other tourist would have is health concerns with it being an earpiece that goes into the ear,” Fuller-Yates said. ”…there are little caps that we are going to buy that we will put on.”
Those caps will be thrown away after each use.
Fuller-Yates even said that other tour companies have expressed interest in incorporating sound devices into their own tours as well. ...read more read less