This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Experiential Wants


Before your visitors are even in your parking lot, they’re measuring you up in their smartphone apps. We asked destination goers what kind of apps were most likely to influence whether they would visit a particular atraction or not. Not surprisingly, their choices were quite logical:


They look to see if a destination is even an option by checking the weather


Then they’ll look into the online reviews on apps like Yelp and TripAdvisor


Next it’s time to see how convenient your destination is for them: do you have WiFi and what kind of wait times are there for atractions?


And lastly they’ll see what kind of apps your specific destination has (and as we mentioned before, mobile apps got the lowest satisfaction score of destination technology with our respondents: 3.69/5)


Once they’re at your destination, there are two types of technology categories they’re looking for. The first is Experiential Technology, which are atributes that enhance the entertainment and/or educational value of the experience. The second is Functional Technology, which are technologies that heighten the convenience or the quality of service guests receive while on site.


In the realm of Experiential Technology, 23% of guests noted that their favorite kind was 4D films; 22% said their favorite was interactive features they can touch and feel; 16% said their favorite was audio listening devices that narrate a tour or exhibit; and 13% said that they preferred exhibits or atractions presented as holograms. These differ across the types of destinations though: zoo, aquarium, museum, and art gallery guests prefer interactive features they can touch and feel; theme and water park visitors prefer 4D experiences; and guests of historic sights and old homes seek out audio listening tours. Interestingly enough, on average across the board, guests had almost no interest in any technology dealing with music (perhaps because music is typically so seamlessly integrated into most experiences that it goes unnoticed). They also weren’t particularly keen on motion simulators or seats that rock in rhythm to the soundtrack of the atraction, with less than 6% of


respondents liking either.


When it comes to Functional Technology, 38% of visitors love the ability to scan their tickets for a faster entry; 35% make it their number one priority to watch out for the safety devices that prevent accidents on rides or at exhibits; 32% prioritize up-to-the-minute posted wait times for rides; and 31% love Fast Passes.


Ensure your destination looks as atractive as possible in the app market by having exceptional customer service on travel review sites, promote you’ve got WiFi, and have a great app of your own to personalize and enhance your guests’ experience. Second, commit your resources to those Experiential and Functional technological atributes your guests find most important to help make their visit exceed even the most speculative expectations.


TOP 10 Experiential Technological Features To Make Experiences More Enjoyable


54% Touch screens


51% Interactive features visitors can touch and feel


47% Audio tours that narrate the experience


45% Sounds or music that react with the ride/exhibit


44% Virtual reality 44% Audio listening devices


42%  simulate fun and exciting situations that would not be possible otherwise


40% Seats that vibrate or rock in rhythm to the music or soundtrack of the ride/exhibit


38% Ability to send electronic postcards from the attraction


38% Motion simulators


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8