Virtual queuing – a game changer
In its effort to minimise crowding, Imagicaa will introduce the concept of virtual queuing in India when it reopens, says dhimant bakshi, Joint CEO, Imagicaaworld Entertainment.
In early 2020, COVID-19 put the world on a roller coaster ride loop, while in reality roller coaster and other rides came to a grinding halt due to imposed lockdowns. As the first wave of the pandemic momentum slowed, entertainment venues, including Imagicaa exerted best efforts for a cautious reopening with limited capacity to implement safe distancing measures. Functional streamlining of WHO and ICMR recommendations became normative elsewhere and at Imagicaa. But as COVID spiralled into much of 2021, embracing the new normal demanded more than manual temperature checks and safe distancing norms. Thus, fuelling conversation around entertainment was cushioned with utmost safety. The hard truth is that safety standards have outranked the need for quick getaways as the principal factor currently.
Theme parks can undergo a sustainable transformation to build a safe and pleasant visitor experience. Innovative approaches are now being used by globally to create a safe haven. But as contactless access is critical in public areas or heavy-touch surfaces with high footfall, transitioning guests out of physical queues to virtual queues is a natural solution for most theme parks. In an effort to minimise crowding while ensuring distancing, Imagicaa will introduce the concept of ‘virtual queuing' in India when it reopens. Operating on first in, first out (FIFO) policy, guests can enter a virtual equivalent of the physical queue and be informed when it is time to ride via their smartphones. With a facility like this, guests are free to roam parks like Imagicaa and maximise their visit. What everyone needs to understand is that within our industry, we compete not only against ‘share of wallet' but ‘share of time' too. Such technologies with measurable results will inevitably raise footfall and guest experience standards.
Virtual queuing is set to be a game changer in the Indian-themed attraction landscape from customer flow management angle. Not only will it help theme parks stay relevant in the future, but also be pivotal to the industry's viability. Serving as an additional stimulus to set themedentertainment industry back to pre-COVID times must be coupled with government support. On a concluding note, entertainment parks will revolutionise safety and guest standards in tandem with the world as it continues to learn and evolve from this experience.
QUICK BYTE shifting guests out of physical queues to virtual queues is a natural solution for most theme parks entertainment parks will revolutionise safety and guest standards in tandem with the evolving world