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Gateway’s eGalaxy Mobile Web Store Boosts Sales for Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s Zoolights Exhibit

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Gateway Ticketing Systems, the world leader in admission control and ticketing software for the attraction, amusement, and transportation industries, has boosted sales for the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s Zoolights exhibit with eGalaxy Mobile Web Store.

Zoolights has been a seasonal feature for the zoo for 26 years, and now comprises more than half a million lights in zoo and aquarium themed displays, including a two-story Mount Rainier and a 100-foot octopus.

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, a Gateway customer since 2001, first began using the eGalaxy Web Store to sell general admission and Zoolights tickets five years ago.  This year the Zoo implemented eGalaxy Mobile Web in July for general admission and offered Zoolights tickets through their Mobile site for the first time this holiday season.

Online sales have been boosted by the introduction of Gateway’s eGalaxy Mobile Web.

Business & Administrative Services Manager at Metro Parks Tacoma, Donna Powell, said, “For Zoolights’ opening night, over 40% of online ticket purchases were through our eGalaxy Mobile Web Store!”

Gateway’s eGalaxy Mobile Web Store Boosts Sales for Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s Zoolights Exhibit

There have been additional benefits to operational efficiency and the guest experience as well.  The Zoo has posted signs throughout their parking lots encouraging guests to save time and money (online purchases are discounted) by purchasing tickets via their smartphones.  

Powell explained, “Zoolights draws close to 100, 000 visitors, which often requires admitting four to five thousand people into the Zoo over a 4 hour period – in the dark! Fortunately, the more visitors who buy online, the fewer visitors there are stuck in lines for tickets.

“We’re seeing people take out their phones and purchase tickets as they walk down to the front gate. We’re averaging about 30% of online sales for the event being sold through our mobile site and that number only goes up on our busy nights.

“The decision to implement a mobile site was really about improving guest experience. Regardless of how they buy the ticket, whether through a reseller, a consumer or a mobile Web site, we want to get that ticket into their hands quickly. The sooner they can get through the front gate, the sooner their zoo experience begins and it’s a much more positive experience. Our mobile Web store gives our customers control over when their Zoolights experience starts and eliminates the frustration of having to wait to begin what they came here to do: enjoy the spectacular displays!”

Images: Header courtesy of Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

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