ThisPlays International, a leading provider of photo booth products, has been sharing how its unique photo booth offer has been helping zoo and aquarium clients boost revenue and enhance the guest experience.
The ThisPlays model only requires a few square metres of space for the photo booth and a socket. The team handles everything else in-house, from artwork and construction to content and maintenance, and partners share the revenue. Everything is fully customised for the attraction, be it a zoo, aquarium, museum, family entertainment centre, retail centre, or more.
The firm places its photo booths for free, meaning that its partners have zero risk, and it guarantees a profitable, fully themed activation. This allows attractions to add a new revenue stream and social media activator in one without any upfront investment.
Sustainability at ThisPlays
Since ThisPlays experienced rapid growth after COVID-19, when attractions were searching for innovative new revenue streams without investment, its focus has become more segment-related. The zoo and aquarium sector now make up 30% of the business, and it is an industry that has a natural connection with ThisPlays, given that both have a real focus on the environment in everything they do.
ThisPlays’ focus on the environment has not gone unnoticed in the zoo and aquarium industry. Last year, it collaborated with several international zoos. Its circular ethos both serves the environment and creates the type of feel that zoos and aquariums love, as ThisPlays owner founder Mark van der Weide explains:
“Building sustainability and using recycled materials gives the real authentic look. And that is what is preferred in zoos. The cabins should look as if they have always been there, compared to our retail partners, where a fresh and clean look is often preferred. After having close to 300 machines, ThisPlays knows how to handle these different segments.”
Besides building cabins from recycled materials, ThisPlays also reconstructs and transforms empty sheds or cabins in parks into wow photo cabins.
But it does not stop there; from power management to selectively used photo paper with a minimum PVC value, the little things make a real difference in the world of photo booths.
From an energy perspective, the entire machine consumes less power than the average home television. Its goal for the near future is to become the first company to run its photo booths entirely through solar panels
“We currently have 94 zoo booths, and we joked around two years ago that booth number 100 should be fully running on solar panels,” says van der Weide. “So time is ticking, but it will be there in a few months. It’s not rocket science, indeed, but no vending company does this. We believe that simple steps are making a real difference.”
WOW experiences with no investment
Zoo and aquarium operators are looking for authentic activations that blend seamlessly into different areas, which is what ThisPlays specialises in: designing, building, and maintaining photo booths exactly how clients want them. The key for partners is that they have WOW activations that bring revenue and social exposure but do not create any hassle.
The company’s reputation has grown significantly in recent years, with word spreading about the unique offer that brings record revenue and provides platinum service with 24/7 support. Furthermore, small things like monthly new overlays from newborn animals make a difference. When it comes to maintenance, ThisPlays also offers same-day, live support.
Speaking about how much of this growth has come through word-of-mouth, van der Weide adds: When you build super solid structures combined with avant-garde technology that never fails, combined with 24/7 support and monthly new content, word gets around. Every client comes from another client. “We cannot get a bigger compliment, and this is the way we grow.”
Elsewhere, ThisPlays also has a solid client base in the retail sector. In addition, it is working with clients in the cruise sector, where its photo booths help cruise operators increase engagement with younger visitors, alongside museums and a wide range of other attractions.
