Should attractions charge less?

[heatherj96]

What is everyones opinions on this topic? DH and I have opposite views on it.

For example our local farm are charging the same price as before and all the in and outdoor play areas are closed ( they have a large soft play and park with zip line) also they have a train which is again closed, cafe is take out only and you cannot take a picnic... they don't have a huge range of animals either!

Do you think the price should be the same as usual or less?

It wouldn’t surprise me if the prices will be higher, to cover costs.

How would they cover their costs?

I think they should charge more not less.

They need to cover their costs and make up for the months of closure but they also need people through the door. I think it's a balancing act and I wouldn't pay for an expensive day out where I didn't have access to many of the normal facilities.

It’s the visitor’s responsibility to do their research before paying for tickets/entry; presumably these changes due to COVID guidelines are publicly listed, so buyers were aware before deciding to part with their money? They chose to pay the same price whilst being aware they wouldn’t have the same experience as pre-COVID. Therefore I don’t see what the problem is. If they think they’re being ripped off at that price, they don’t have to visit and part with their money.

I think they should charge more not less.

If they are offering less then they’ll need to charge less. Otherwise they will go out of business as they lose customers. Some people may pay more to support the business, some won’t.

If you want them to remain in business I think they need to charge what they did before.

They'll need to charge what the market will bare (bear?!) and hope that it's enough.

As PP said, it's a balancing act.

There may be an advantage in lowering prices to get more people in, depending on how many they can have in with social distancing measures.

Or they may be able to fill as many places as they are able to at full price, even with the reduced facilities, in which case they would be foolish to lower the price.

@KeepYourDistance2m No not heard of that farm sorry!

I think prices are fine to stay the same, DH believes less people will go as they don't want to pay the same for less which I understand. Especially when you do not have a lot of money to begin with paying £9.50 for a 3 year old to see a few animals then have to leave is a bit steep!

I will be going at some point because I have been going since I was a child and would hate to see it close!

Anywhere with livestock to keep feeding/housing/healthy i don't mind paying the usual full price of entry. Plus the cost of keeping grounds tidy.

The animal care and general upkeep is probably what the majority of the full cost goes on.

Taking out the actual of running a few rides would equate to the price only going down by about 50p per head i imagine.

Especially when you do not have a lot of money to begin with paying £9.50 for a 3 year old to see a few animals then have to leave is a bit steep!

Well, you have the choice. If money is that tight, I would be going to the park to feed the ducks.

However, businesses like this have to comply with regulations and people stop going, they will be forced to close.

I was actually thinking of Walt Disney World (we were meant to be going next month) when it reopens there’s to be no parades, characters meets and greets, shows, fireworks etc plus you have to reserve your actual days you want to go to each park before you go (even a year in advance) and your paying a lot more than this year.

I’m not surprised every attraction will be the same to make up for lost revenue

Apart from the loss of revenue over lockdown they will have had to have paid out for all the social distancing paraphernalia and infection control stuff ready to open.

I'd rather pay the same as usual now in the hope that they're still there this time next year and so on.

@Letseatgrandma I am not talking about myself I am taking in general many family's have 2-3 children so a day out at this farm would be £40-50.

I am lucky that I can afford it and my DC loves animals so its worth it for me she could stay all day 😄

I think it's too to charge the same...but as long as you're up front about it.

We have a season ticket to an attraction. It has been closed for half the season and even now only half of it is open (we bought it for the amazing adventure playground, which is also closed). No events either, which we would have got in for free. I'm stuck thinking that u have to go and walk around some gardens ten times just to get my money's worth! Very cross with them. I am happy to pay for charities though (e.g. rspb), just not private businesses.

Sorry that should have been "fine" to charge the same.

I wouldn't pay that much to get in to somewhere that I can't even take a picnic too. Yes I want places to survive but paying that much, you also need to make it worthwhile.

I think they need to keep their prices as they are to survive even if the service is reduced and if we don’t agree with paying we aren’t forced to go. We have been at our local zoo today, all the indoor viewing was closed probably about 25% of the animals. It was still full prove but I didn’t mind paying as their struggle has been very public. We still had 5 hours there so value for money I think!

The reason you pay full price is so that is still available to you when you want it. Very many of these places will shut.

Most attractions will become expensive now
They have to cover their costs

I feel for them. Too high and the price puts people off =less People /money coming in
But too low and they can’t meet their outgoings
Not great either way

Lots of leisure activities will become more expensive. Fewer people will go, but fewer people are allowed in at any one time so there will probably be enough people willing to pay more for less for the sheer joy of getting out of the house. So the increased price model probably is sustainable for the short term.

I am waiting for all the people who have complained about reduced facilities at the same price to be absolutely outraged that their favourite attractions have gone out of business