Australasian Leisure Management Issue 142 2021

Page 60

COVIDSafe measures at Melbourne’s LEGOLAND Discovery Centre.

A time to build trust and loyalty Steve Brown explains re-imagining the guest journey in a post-COVID-19 world

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ith the COVID-19 pandemic having greatly impacted the global economy, people’s leisure time plans show considerable hesitancy in venturing back to places where crowds could cause health and safety concerns. In light of this, attractions around the world are adapting to the ‘new normal’, changing the way they operate and communicate with both the general public and their most loyal guests. As a result, it’s more imperative than ever for operators to adapt to the redefined needs and expectations of their guests, making public safety a top priority while maintaining a high regard for the guest experience.

Using accesso’s LoQueue Qsmart to reinforce social distancing.

60 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 142

From their first touch point with your brand to the moment they step off your property and begin their trip home, guests will expect a more in-depth level of interaction with operators that provide reassurance of their safety and satisfaction being a top priority. 1. Before Visiting an Attraction The Importance of Digital Presence and Guest Engagement Now more than ever, it’s essential that your venue’s online presence be user-friendly, easy to understand and ready to deliver on guest expectations. Communicating with guests prior to arrival, whether through your website or a mobile app, will help to build their confidence and set expectations for what to expect during their park visit. Over recent years we have seen that desktop experiences are no longer the primary area of focus for most online shoppers. More and more customers prefer to complete transactions on a mobile device; therefore, successful eCommerce ticketing strategies must prioritise optimisation for mobile users. Communicating Safety Measures With consumers’ top concern being venue cleanliness and sanitation, reminding your guests of the many ways you are working to keep them safe can make all the difference. Most guests - no matter how loyal - will be reluctant to return if operators don’t have effective and clearly communicated safety measures in place. From the guest perspective, communicating safety measures also prepares them for what to expect when they walk through your entrance. They’ll already know things like how you’ve


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