WINNING EXPERIENCES

TURNING RAINY DAYS into revenue opportunities across UK holiday parks.

How redemption arcades are transforming guest engagement across UK holiday destinations...

In today’s competitive hospitality and leisure industry, operators are under increasing pressure to boost guest satisfaction, extend dwell time and maximise on-site spend. One of the most effective—and often underestimated—solutions is the provision of high-quality indoor entertainment.

As the UK climate continues to deliver its fair share of unpredictability, the ability to offer engaging, all-weather attractions is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. For owners and managers of holiday parks, caravan parks, camping and glamping sites, indoor entertainment serves as a vital pillar of year-round appeal.

Families are no longer satisfied with seasonal offerings alone; they expect consistent, memorable experiences regardless of the weather. Rainy afternoons and cooler evenings present an opportunity rather than a challenge—an opportunity to draw guests into vibrant indoor spaces filled with laughter, excitement and nostalgia.

At the heart of this indoor entertainment renaissance lies the enduring charm of arcade amusements. From the unmistakable sound of coins cascading through machines to the anticipation of tickets spilling out after a winning game, arcades continue to captivate all generations.

AN ARCADE HUB where multi-generational guests make lasting memories.

In particular, nostalgic coin pushers have seen a remarkable resurgence, appealing not only to children discovering them for the first time, but also to parents and grandparents reliving fond memories of seaside holidays. Coin pushers offer a simple yet highly engaging gameplay experience.

The tactile nature of inserting coins, timing the drop and watching the gradual build-up towards a potential win creates a sense of suspense that digital-only entertainment often struggles to replicate. For operators, these machines deliver strong and consistent returns, while requiring minimal supervision—making them a smart investment for busy holiday environments.

Complementing coin pushers is the ever-popular redemption arcade model, where gameplay is rewarded with tickets that can be exchanged for prizes. This format taps into a powerful psychological driver: the pursuit of a tangible reward. Whether it’s a small toy, a novelty item or a larger aspirational prize, the ticket system encourages repeat play, longer stays and increased spend per visit.

Crucially, it also creates a shared family experience, as children and adults alike collaborate—or compete—to accumulate tickets. A well-designed arcade space can quickly become a focal point of any holiday park. Bright lighting, engaging soundscapes and a mix of classic and modern machines create an atmosphere that draws guests in and keeps them entertained for hours.

WHERE FRIENDLY COMPETITION meets unforgettable holiday experiences.

Importantly, it also provides a reliable indoor option that operators can promote during off-peak seasons, helping to stabilise revenue throughout the year. Supporting operators in delivering these experiences is UK Amusement Supplies, a trusted name within the industry. With more than 15 years of experience, the company has established itself as one of the leading suppliers of redemption tickets across the UK and Europe, alongside innovative solutions designed to streamline and enhance arcade operations.

“Eyes on the prize” perfectly encapsulates the role that redemption systems play in modern amusement environments. From high-quality tickets to intuitive software, UK Amusement Supplies provides a comprehensive range of products tailored to the needs of operators of all sizes. Their expertise, shaped by working with some of Europe’s largest family entertainment centres, ensures that clients benefit from both reliability and value.

The company’s redemption tickets are produced to the highest standards, featuring double-sided designs, barcoding and sequential numbering. Manufactured using high-quality paper and offering excellent print resolution, these tickets are built for durability and performance in high-traffic environments.

Operators can choose from a wide range of generic designs held in stock for rapid delivery, or opt for custom-designed tickets that reflect their brand identity—an option that comes with no set-up costs when minimum order quantities are met. Beyond tickets, UK Amusement Supplies continues to innovate with products such as the popular “Ticket Monster Ticket Eater.”

HIGH-QUALITY redemption tickets designed for performance and durability.

This eye-catching machine transforms the simple act of counting tickets into an engaging experience in its own right, with high-definition animations and vibrant colours capturing the attention of players. Its success has led many operators to upgrade older machines, with a new model already anticipated for Autumn 2026.

Equally significant is the company’s free prize-shop software, a practical solution designed to bring greater control and efficiency to redemption operations. Easy to use and cost-effective, it enables operators to enhance security, track performance and manage inventory without the need for complex or expensive systems.

For many sites, this software has become an essential tool in maximising the profitability of their arcade offering. Ultimately, the integration of nostalgic coin pushers, ticket-based redemption games and modern support systems creates a compelling indoor entertainment proposition. For holiday park operators, the benefits are clear: increased guest satisfaction, stronger secondary spend and a more resilient business model that performs across all seasons.

As the expectations of holidaymakers continue to evolve, those who invest in engaging indoor experiences will be best positioned to stand out in a crowded market. By combining the timeless appeal of arcade fun with the expertise and products offered by industry specialists like UK Amusement Supplies, operators can ensure that their guests remain entertained, whatever the weather—and keep them coming back year after year.

UK Amusement Supplies
01253 868 868
www.ukamusementsupplies.co.uk

HOORAY! IT’S RAINING!

HOORAY! IT’S RAINING!

Emily Martin presents top tips for weather-proof play…

INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS are a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Pic. Hendra

In 2021, temperatures hit an unseasonable 24 degrees Celsius in March, followed by the wettest every May on record. In 2020 (or as we call it, ‘the year we do not mention’) we had the wettest February ever recorded followed by a gloriously sunny spring. There’s nothing more unpredictable than a British summer and with extreme weather becoming increasingly the norm, savvy holiday parks are advised to be ready for anything.

Unpredictable weather can sometimes a deterrent for holidaymakers who don’t want to waste their precious annual leave (or money) on a holiday that might be a wash-out. But for cunning holiday park owners, when it comes to indoor play there are ways you can reassure prospective bookers and stand out from the crowd. “British weather can be unpredictable, so it’s really important to provide plenty of indoor entertainment, as well as opportunities to eat and dine in the same area,” advises Helen Scott a Director at Cofton Holidays where indoor play is held in high regard.

ALL-YEAR ROUND

“We’re proud to be an all year round, all-weather holiday destination in South Devon. Come rain or shine, there’s always something to keep families entertained and we’ve worked hard to provide a rich and varied range of indoor entertainment experiences, mixing activities and play so there’s always something for the whole family to enjoy.”

Cofton have indoor play covered or the children and the adults too as Helen explains: “Our indoor play offering includes a heated indoor swimming pool with hydrotherapy loungers, bubbling water jets and splash pad area, sauna, steam room and gym. “Also fitness and cycling studios, a bowling alley an amusement arcade and soft play area. Having all our indoor play facilities in one central complex works really well for our guests,” says Helen.

“When it’s raining, you don’t want to be running from one end of the site to the other, ducking from the wet weather.” Helen continues: “Our indoor pool is perfectly located next to our café so guests can enjoy a morning swim and recharge afterwards with a fresh coffee and fluffy slice of cake. Many of our guests regularly spend half of their day in our indoor complex.” The Cofton Holidays indoor play facilities have been carefully chosen so that they meet the needs of all age groups.

Helen says: “The soft play area is aimed at children under the age of eight, and has been carefully located with plenty of seating nearby, so that adults can keep an eye on their young ones, while they enjoy light refreshments.” Helen flags up: “Something that we have adopted recently is a pre booking system for our indoor pool. This is something we introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure we complied with social distancing rules, but it has worked really well for us.

“Our indoor pool is incredibly popular and can get busy, particularly during the school holidays, so we have decided to keep this booking system in place for the foreseeable future. It allows us to control how busy the pool gets without disappointing customers so it is definitely something I would recommend other park owners think about.” Tony Clish, is the Director at Park Holidays UK. We asked him about indoor play facilities and how important the planning and preparation of those areas are to a Park Holidays site. Tony says: “As a family-focussed holiday parks group, we recognise the importance of providing play facilities for all ages – and in all weathers.

“That’s why many of our 40-plus parks make provision for indoor play areas suitable for toddler-age upwards, with the obvious provision that parental supervision is required at all times in the case of smaller children. Tony continues: “Soft play areas are especially popular as they provide a safe environment in which youngsters can let off steam for an hour or two – and, of course, give mum and dad a breather. “Seating and café areas are often located nearby which give parents an opportunity to view their children at play, and park staff keep a regular eye open to check on aspects such as cleanliness and the number of youngsters using the amenity.

“Children are also well provided for in other indoor areas such as swimming pools where smaller slides and other water features mean that all ages can make use of the facility. Customer comments from younger families often pay tribute to our indoor play zones, and they represent a significant part of the investment we make in activities at our parks.” Whether you’re singing in the rain or walking on sunshine, having plenty to do inside and undercover is a must if you want to ensure happy guests and consistent income all your round.

ADVICE ON TAP

For those who incorporate a gaming, play or adventure zone within your visitor attraction within your resort, the InterFun Expo is a great opportunity to find out about the latest product innovations and learn about current trends and new tech to help you drive more visitors to your attraction. The InterFun Expo will take place on 26-27 April, 2022, at New Dock Hall in the Royal Armouries complex in Leeds. The opening hours are 10am-5pm on 26 April and 10am – 4pm on 27 April. A huge range of products will be represented:

• Aerial adventure
• Soft play
• Arcade games
• Edutainment
• Mini sports
• Inflatables
• Family and kiddie rides
• Playground equipment
• Laser tag & paintball
• Table games

The exhibition is supported by an eye-catching seminar timetable that are all free to attend and do not have to be pre-booked; you simply drop in and out of those of interest to you and your organisation. Michael Harrison kicks off the schedule with a look at Trends In the UK Leisure Sector with other subjects including Attracting Visitors Through Mixed Marketing Techniques, The Soft Play Sector Post Covid and Immersive Tech – turning Visitors Into Players. Simply register to attend and you will gain access to the exhibition and seminars via www.interfunexpo.com