Convious, a leading eCommerce platform for the leisure industry, has announced it has signed a contract with a leading Rhenen zoo in the centre of The Netherlands.
The deal is one of a growing number secured by Convious, with eleven being signed last month alone.
The firm will work with Ouwehands Dierenpark to transform the venue’s business and eCommerce processes. Its data-driven tool will help Ouwehands to streamline sales and marketing operations and blend its online and offline experiences.
Scale and grow
Director of Ouwehands Dierenpark, Robin De Lange, says the business selected Convious as it provides a platform that can scale and grow with the zoo itself;
“We wanted to ensure that we were choosing a platform partner that operates from the customer journey perspective and who could support us across all our different departments and complement our workflows. To achieve this, we conducted extensive research and invited different internal stakeholders to share their opinions and preferences.
“We can manage the customer journey before, during, and after their visit. This covers the process from ticket purchase to admission, food, beverage and merchandise sales, through a user-friendly and intuitive portal. Our guests will also benefit from the customer-facing app, which they can use to enrich their onsite experience.”
The zoo is committed to industry-leading conservation work which includes its own bear charity program. It is currently the only zoo in the country that houses giant pandas, one of the main draws for crowds each year. The attraction manages crowdfunding campaigns to rescue other species at threat of being endangered, as well as financially supporting various other conservation projects.
Taking zoos to a different environment
Ouwehands Dierenpark wanted to advance from its legacy system to a modern platform that would enhance the customer journey on and offline.
Convious’ system provides a number of new benefits such as a donations function, whilst reducing manual workloads for staff, giving the zoo’s team more flexibility for essential everyday tasks.
Benelux business development manager for Convious, Marjolein van de Velde, says:
“Many zoos and aquariums now see the importance of their online systems. Ouwehands Dierenpark wants to offer online user experiences that are as incredible as the offline experiences they provide their visitors. They chose Convious because they see we are that partner that can fulfil many of their needs besides ticketing.”
Looking forward
Convious says its platform has been chosen by an increasing selection of EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) members, such as Erlebnis Zoo Hannover in Germany which joined Convious last year, as well as those of Dutch zoo association Nederlandse Vereniging van Dierentuinen.
De Velde continues: “We are seeing an increasing amount of new business from the zoo and aquarium sector. We are proud to provide a data-driven platform that can support them with the great work they deliver to local and global communities.”
The zoo also has plans to develop further, with De Lange concluding; “We have found a technology partner for the future, who can provide us with the necessary tools we need to grow and thrive. We have big plans we would like to roll out this year and beyond and we are confident that Convious will deliver.”
Earlier this year, Convious announced its new UK and Ireland managing director, Andy Povey, bringing two decades’ leisure experience to the technology firm.
