Are You Getting the Most Out of Your Zoo Booking Software?
If you're a tour operator in the wildlife or zoo industry, picking the right booking software goes beyond managing tickets. It's about enriching the zoo experience while making things easier. Are you sure your current software has the features to meet and exceed your zoo and guests' needs?
You deserve a solution that goes beyond getting the job done. As a specialist in digital booking systems with years of experience helping operators, here are eight must-have features of zoo booking software you need. Learn how each saves time, drives profits, and makes ticketing easy.
"According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, over 181 million people visit U.S. zoos and aquariums it accredits every year ... Globally, 700 million people visit zoos and aquariums every year or about 10 percent of the world population."-White Paper, Humane Conservation
1. Timed Ticketing
Comfort and flow for guests
Imagine your zoo on a busy Saturday. Without control, the crowd swells, lines grow long, and animals and visitors become stressed. That's where timed ticketing comes in handy - not just as a feature but also for balancing the flow of visitors so everyone has fun without getting crowded.
Here's how timed tickets work
Timed ticketing allows you to limit the number of visitors you can let in at one time. This system is easy to set up and adjusts in real-time.
How guests will benefit
Guests get to visit at a time that suits them best, so they spend less time in lines. This system reduces stress and maximizes fun, so everyone has a good time.
How it helps you
Timed ticketing means better crowd control. By scheduling guests' arrivals, you can optimize staffing, ease the strain on zoo facilities, and make things safer. This efficiency saves you time and cuts your costs.
2. General Passes
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Convenience meets flexibility
General passes offer many options for zoo admission. Visitors can pick what's best for them. These can be season passes, which allow unlimited access during a season, or multi-visit passes, enabling multiple visits. This flexibility helps you host various kinds of guests, from locals to tourists.
Your guests will love these benefits.
Visitors love flexibility. For instance, a family planning multiple trips might get a season pass, while a couple visiting for the weekend might choose a day pass.
Giving guests options helps them tailor their trips to their budgets and lifestyles. This can give them a better experience and make them write great reviews.
How it works for you
Offering general passes simplifies ticket sales and visitor management for zoo operators. It also lets you track visitor habits and tastes, helping you tweak your marketing and operations. Multiple pass options can give you the best revenue streams all year.
3. Tour Packages
Make the experience better
Creating tour packages is a fantastic way to spice up a zoo visit. These bundles pack a lot of zoo goodness into a handy package suitable for all tastes.
How to spice up tour packages
Tour packages can include general admission and access to special exhibits, such as the safari train or a behind-the-scenes tour. Consider these examples.
- Family package. You can offer a learning guided tour built for children with free fun stuff they can take home. Like, you can freebie a souvenir guidebook or a detailed zoo map.
- Adventure package. Create an engaging tour package that includes thrilling experiences such as zip-lining over the zoo, joining in a guided night safari, or even a meet-and-greet with exotic animals in the zoo.
- VIP package. Those looking for something a little more luxe offer a VIP tour package that grants access to private areas, pet encounters, and a private guided tour by a zoo expert. This offer provides zoo visitors willing to splurge more and can get a unique experience.
Customizing tours to interests can attract a more diverse crowd. Whether it's a family-friendly educational tour, an adventure-based tour, or a luxurious VIP encounter, everyone can find something to love.
How zoo guests will enjoy
Tour packages simplify things and add value for guests. So, instead of planning everything separately, they can pick one that fits their needs hassle-free. For kids and families or couples looking for a unique date experience, these deals offer more than just a typical trip.
Advantages for you
Packages like these simplify sales and inventory management while upselling more. By bundling products and services, you can boost brand value and drive more sales. Besides, you can sell them as premium offerings, bringing in more premium guests.
4. Gift Cards and Vouchers
Spread the wonder
Gift cards and vouchers let your guests bring friends and family to your zoo. They make great gifts and powerful marketing tools that get you new visitors.
How gift cards work
A digital system for buying, selling, and redeeming gift cards is quick and easy. Online booking systems like TicketingHub can help you achieve this. Convenience like this increases its appeal for last-minute gifts or even with advanced gift planning.
Guests will love the convenience.
Gift cards let people choose when and how they want to go. Whether it's a family day out or a special occasion, gift cards allow people to enjoy your zoo without paying a lot. They can be redeemed for anything from entry tickets to tours and merchandise.
How you will benefit
Selling gift cards can improve your cash flow and invite new visitors to your zoo. Offering gift cards also opens up an extra marketing channel, as recipients will likely bring their family and friends. Moreover, digital delivery makes transactions and distribution more accessible, saving time and resources.
5. Cashless Wallet
Make transactions more accessible and more secure
Introducing a cashless system in your zoo makes paying for guests easier. This solution stores credit on a card or wristband, so there's no need to carry cash.
Zoos and cashless wallets
This system runs on the cloud. Guests can put money in a secure digital wallet via a wearable device. As they roam the zoo, they can shop with a tap for snacks, souvenirs, or tickets.
Guests love going cashless
Cashless wallets mean quicker transactions, shorter lines, and less cash. This seamless approach makes visitors feel good and gives them a sense of security, as all payments are encrypted.
Less work for you
For tour operators, a cashless wallet system simplifies cash handling and speeds things up. Also, it gives you insight into spending patterns at your zoo so you can tailor offers more effectively. A system like this can make things run more smoothly and prevent fraud.
6. Mobile Check-In App
Make zoo tours a breeze
A mobile check-in app is a fun little feature that boosts guest comfort and operational efficiency by making tour check-in easier at your zoo.
Simplify check-ins and cut down on lines
This app lets guests check in from their phones. Upon arrival, they scan a QR code or enter their details, instantly logging them in and making your staff's job easier.
Convenience and tailored experiences for guests
With the check-in app, guests can skip the check-in line and start exploring immediately. This system also makes tours more personal by enabling tour guides to greet guests by name, tend to their needs, and customize the tour based on the information they provide.
How your zoo benefits
For tour operators, you save time by simplifying check-in, cutting down on queues, and improving traffic flow. It also collects data about guests' tastes and behaviors, helping to improve future marketing and make ads more effective. The extra efficiency saves time, reduces costs, and enhances the guest experience.
7. Sell Tickets with Point of Sale (POS) Systems
Simpler and smarter ticketing
Point-of-sale systems can make it easier to sell tickets at your zoo. This will improve customer service and create more intelligent operations.
Keep every sale in sync
POS systems at zoos process transactions fast. You can also sync them with a comprehensive solution like TicketingHub. This way, you'll see real-time prices and inventory. POS also keeps every booking in sync, both on-site and online.
Give guests hassle-free bookings
The POS system speeds up the buying process, easing wait times. Guests will enjoy being able to make on-the-spot purchases quickly and easily.
Better inventory control, no overbooking
Point-of-sale systems can tell you a lot about your customers' spending habits. You can use this data to control inventory, track tickets, and adjust real-time offerings based on visitor needs. Linking POS systems with zoo software also makes life easier and reduces overbooking.
8. Inventory Management
Keep the zoo running smoothly
Effective inventory control keeps every part of the zoo experience readily available to guests.
Smartly plan ahead
By setting up advanced inventory management systems, you can track tour slots and package deals in real-time, improving daily operations and long-term planning. This system offsets demand and supply, so you'll never lose sales.
Make guests feel secure
A well-run inventory means guests will know what's available, from tours to special deals. This clarity lets them plan better and book what they want when they want.
Savvier marketing and fatter profits
The critical value of good inventory management is less backend work and better business insight. You'll see what time slots and packages sell so you can target your marketing better. Further, they give you data-driven insights that help you grow and be more profitable.
Bonus: 5 Zoo Marketing Strategies That Sell and Build Your Brand
1. Use Dynamic Pricing
- Adjust ticket prices based on demand and season.
- Attract visitors all year, even in the slow seasons.
2. School Discounts for Educational Programs
- Offer special rates for school field trips.
- Teach kids about wildlife conservation efforts.
- Educate kids about wildlife conservation organizations and how they can help.
3. Membership Management Programs for Loyalty
- Create memberships with benefits like unlimited visits and discounts.
- Turn visitors into loyal supporters.
4. Showcase Visitor Experiences on Social Media
- Share real visitor stories and photos.
- Engage and attract others through authentic experiences.
5. Sell Branded Merchandise Online
- Offer items like clothes and toys that reflect your zoo’s mission.
Summing Up
Find the best zoo booking software today!
Investing in the best zoo management software is a must to keep up with the competition. Here's a rundown of the eight must-have features that will transform your zoo and guest services:
- Timed Ticketing - Prevents overcrowding, making sure everyone has a good time.
- General Passes - Flexible ticketing options that host different guests, adding convenience.
- Tour Packages - Groups experiences together for value, simplifying, and enriching visitor experience.
- Gift Cards and Vouchers - Share the fun with others, bringing in more visitors.
- Cashless Wallet - Makes transactions easy, making it easy for guests to shop.
- Mobile Check-In App - Makes the visit more personal and productive.
- Point of Sale (POS) Systems - Sell admission tickets faster and learn more about your customers.
- Inventory Management - Tracks availability of tours and packages so you can make better decisions.
A solution like TicketingHub, which does all that, can help you create a better guest experience and get more done. Zoo ticketing software can optimize your resources and make every zoo trip unique.
Save Time and Do More with TicketingHub for Zoos
Ready to transform your zoo ticketing? TicketingHub is a complete zoo booking software solution with all the tools and eight must-have features in a user-friendly interface. Trusted by over 300 tour and activity operators and rated as the most loved booking software on Capterra, we're experts at enhancing visitor services.
Why not see for yourself how TicketingHub makes your life easier? Invite yourself to try a free demo and see how to work together. Step into a more innovative, more straightforward way to run your zoo.
