In this episode of Skip the Queue, guest host Olly Reed from Navigate is joined by Rob Comley of Chester Zoo and Simon Townsend of the Eden Project to discuss the growing impact of weather forecasting apps on visitor attractions. They discuss how simple weather icons can influence consumer behaviour, with misleading rain forecasts causing significant drops in attendance even when poor weather never materialises.

Rob shares the story behind Chester Zoo's campaign calling for improvements to how weather forecasts are displayed, a movement now supported by more than 100 attractions and businesses across the UK. They discuss changing visitor behaviour, the importance of value for money, the rise of last-minute booking habits, and the role weather perception plays in decision-making. The episode also looks ahead to the campaign's upcoming discussions with the Met Office and highlights exciting developments at Chester Zoo and the Eden Project.

Topics Discussed

The impact of weather app icons on visitor attraction attendance
How weather perception influences consumer decision-making
Chester Zoo's campaign for improved weather forecast presentation
The economic impact of inaccurate weather perceptions on attractions
Industry support from attractions, farm shops, events, and hospitality businesses
Visitor behaviour changes and the rise of last-minute bookings
The relationship between weather forecasts and value for money expectations
Differences in how weather affects Chester Zoo and the Eden Project
The role of the Met Office and discussions around forecast communication
Alternative weather forecasting models used in Europe
The importance of accurate communication rather than challenging weather science
How attractions adapt to changing weather patterns and climate conditions
Future plans for the weather forecast campaign
New developments at Chester Zoo including Heart of Africa and The Reserve lodges
The Eden Project's 25th anniversary celebrations and Eden Sessions
Optimism for the future of the visitor attraction sector

Show references:

Guest Host:

Olly Reed - Marketing Director of Navigate

Guests:

Simon Townsend of Eden Project

Rob Comley - Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager at Chester Zoo

Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your guest host is Olly Reed.

If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn.

Credits:
Written by Emily Burrows (Plaster)
Edited by Steve Folland
Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle (Plaster)

Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey

We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.

Download your FREE copy here