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Latest Omnico report: 85% of theme park visitors want AI verification

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Latest Omnico report: 85% of theme park visitors want artificial intelligence ID verification

According to the Omnico Theme Park Barometer, visitors are eager to embrace artificial intelligence systems.

3,470 consumers surveyed in the US, UK, China, Japan and Malaysia believe that using AI to verify their ID will make for a more trouble-free theme park experience.

Latest Omnico report: 85% of theme park visitors want artificial intelligence ID verification

“Theme park visitors want to be part of the revolution in technology,” explains Mel Taylor, CEO, Omnico Group.

“Everyone can see how AI and other advances such as virtual and augmented reality will take the hassle out of visits.”

Omnico found that Chinese visitors are the keenest, with 92% in favour of allowing AI systems to recognise them using physical attributes.

Although fingertip recognition is the most popular individual method of verification across the five countries (selected by 32%), China is the exception, with facial recognition being the number one choice among visitors (41%).

Virtual Reality – a major draw in China

The survey also found that 89% of guests across all five countries want virtual reality technology to help them get more out of theme park visits. This could be anything from using headsets to choose rides (selected by 37%), restaurants, hotel rooms and souvenirs, to obtaining an aerial view of the park on arrival (36%).

Latest Omnico report: 85% of theme park visitors want artificial intelligence ID verificationVirtual reality is potentially a major draw, particularly for Chinese visitors, 98% of which said they wanted to see it integrated into theme parks. The most popular use for VR in China is for obtaining a view of the park (53%), whereas in the US and UK it is for choosing rides (42% and 34% respectively).

Interestingly, Japanese respondents were less enthusiastic, with the most popular use for VR being the choice of restaurant (34%). For Malaysians, the best use for VR would be to help choose restaurants and hotel rooms (50% for each).

“It’s time for operators to recognise that technology is essential to giving visitors the enjoyable, all-round experience they now demand,” adds Taylor.

Download the report here.

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Charles Read

Charles is managing director at blooloop. He attends numerous trade shows around the world and frequently speaks about trends and social media for the attractions industry at conferences. Outside of blooloop, his passions are diving, trees and cricket.

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