Experiences are some of the most memorable gifts you can give. Unlike products that may get tossed aside, an escape room adventure, a night at the theater, or a day at a local attraction creates lasting memories. For businesses in the entertainment industry, this makes gift cards a powerful way to bring in new customers and keep revenue flowing year-round.
Why Gift Cards Work for Attractions
Attractions live and die by attendance. Gift cards help by:
- Selling tickets in advance – Secure revenue before the event or season begins.
- Introducing new guests – Gift recipients often bring friends, multiplying the value of one sale.
- Encouraging upsells – Once guests are on-site, they spend more on concessions, merch, or upgrades.
- Driving repeat visits – Gift card users who have a great first experience are more likely to return as paying customers.
Examples of Gift Card Success
- Escape Rooms: Perfect for birthdays, team-building, or holiday gifts. Families and companies alike purchase gift cards for group experiences.
- Theaters: Patrons can gift tickets to specific shows or load general credit for concessions and future performances.
- Attractions: From amusement parks to museums, gift cards allow people to pre-pay for entry and extras, making visits smoother.
How to Promote Gift Cards for Attractions
Selling gift cards is only half the battle — promoting them effectively is what makes them take off:
- Feature them on your website – Add a clear “Gift Cards” option in your top navigation.
- Highlight them in-season – Push gift cards during holidays, graduation season, and summer vacations.
- Leverage social proof – Share guest photos and reviews alongside gift card promotions.
- Offer incentives – Limited-time deals like “Buy a $50 card, get $10 free” drive urgency.
- Cross-promote on-site – Promote gift cards at the ticket counter, concession stand, and exit to catch guests while excitement is fresh.
Best Practices
- Keep redemption simple – Make cards redeemable online and at the box office.
- Offer digital and physical options – Let customers choose the format that works for them.
- Track usage – Platforms like Ncentiva make it easy to manage balances and redemptions.
- Stay flexible – Allow gift card use across multiple experiences (tickets, food, merch) to maximize appeal.
Final Takeaway
Attractions thrive on creating unforgettable moments. Gift cards transform those moments into gifts that practically sell themselves. By offering easy, flexible ways to give the gift of experiences, escape rooms, theaters, and attractions can increase bookings, grow their audience, and turn first-time visitors into repeat customers
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