I am writing this article five hours after another visit to the Dolphinarium in Constanta . Now, as parents. As a three-year-old and a few-month-old star has appeared in our lives, in the cold season, the Dolphinarium is one of the main attractions, just as it is for many parents in Constanta and nearby counties. Before starting the series of tips (I hope someone from the Constanta County Council or from the Dolphinarium management at least reads it) I want to make a clarification: even if it can be improved, the 30-minute performance charges you with positive energy.
Online ticket purchase
The first good thing is that you can buy tickets online from the Dolphinarium website . It's just that the payment is not secure and you haven't integrated 2 Step Verification. That is, you can pay with any stolen/found card. Then, there is no possibility to choose the seats, and here you can see it either as a new revenue line (used by airlines with great success) to offer seats at different prices depending on the proximity to the pool or you can simply reserve/pay for them like at any cinema. It's not like we have to invent a special code ourselves! I don't think the reservation system was designed that way, but I'm sure it can be done extremely quickly by any IT company in Constanta as a sponsorship or at minimal costs.
Plus – if you have a seat reservation system, you avoid all possible scandals and show respect for the spectators.
Ticket verification system and the entrance queue
Keep in mind that we were not at the peak of the season, when there are kilometer-long queues at the Dolphinarium. And yet, most of the parents and their little ones had little time left and entered through the closed doors of the performance hall. I don't think we are talking about the parents' lack of common sense, but just the little ones' impatience to see the dolphins.
A simple ribbon cord would solve all the congestion at the entrance to the Dolphinarium. Not only do you avoid the crowd at the entrance, but you force the parent to explain to the child why they have to wait in line. Again, you can use the system at airports.
And speaking of the moment of entry: it wouldn't hurt to install an outdoor speaker through which you can broadcast the rules of entry/exit from the show, information about the dolphins and the Microreservation, plus audio spots promoting the Dolphinarium. Through a thank you message, you can encourage viewers to post images online, use a specific hashtag, and encourage social media users to come to the Dolphinarium. It's called free promotion in bubbles that you don't have access to!
We move on. After passing through the first entrance door, you are stopped again by an employee who checks your tickets. Don't let that employee take it against me, but with a turnstile system, to which you adapt the existing scanner for ticket validation, you can easily solve access. You can use the man for a completely different purpose!
The auditorium seems forgotten in 1980
I understand that the Dolphinarium in Constanta is the only one of its kind in Romania , but that doesn't mean that people will come/come back just for this reason. Moreover, many Romanians have experience of marine parks abroad and will compare what they find at home with what happens across the borders. I don't think it's hard to give a handful of lime, repair the chairs and sanitize the entire hall. And the ceiling, which acts as a light, is full of chicken poop. The audio system is, in turn, questionable!
Dynamic rates for off-season
Today, 19.01.2025, at the 11.00:30 performance, I don't think more than 33% of the Dolphinarium hall was filled. Perhaps for many parents, the 7 lei ticket is too much (children up to 8 years old are free, and pupils and students XNUMX lei).
Now let's get back to the reservation system: if you know how many seats you have reserved/bought for the 11:00 show, you can reduce the prices a few hours before to fill the hall. Don't let me tell you that you can't! When purchasing tickets online, you are required to create an account, which means that you have a database with your name, surname, email address and phone number. How hard is it to send an email or SMS to announce discount campaigns for the show at X time. Again, this is not science fiction! These are things that the most insignificant sales site in Romania does.
Clear explanations for the difference between online and physical rates
One extremely disturbing thing is the difference between the price displayed on the Dolphinarium website and the final amount charged when purchasing tickets online without this being mentioned. I understand that the payment processor has a commission (in our case 8 lei for two adult tickets and one free for a child), but it is fair and legal to inform the customer that there is a fee for purchasing tickets online on the Dolphinarium website. Moreover, if you are interested in collecting money directly from the spectators, I think just notifying the customer that they will pay an additional fee (12% above the ticket office rate) will encourage them to go and buy them physically.
An entertainer (MC, presenter) to engage the audience
At today's show, the spectators were stingy with their applause and not because of the performance. There was a lack of a person who would be the link between the spectators (as if pressed by problems) and the trainers. Although a Dolphinarium employee explained details about the dolphins throughout the show, there was no one to draw you into the performance. I don't want to claim to be an event specialist, but the role of an MC/presenter or whatever you want to call it is well defined in this industry.
- The entertainer sets the tone of the show, creating an atmosphere full of energy and enthusiasm.
- Keep the audience engaged and in a good mood throughout the event.
- Present the program and key moments.
- Engage viewers through questions, games, and invitations to active participation.
- It especially involves children, making them feel part of the show.
- Keep the audience engaged and interested during breaks between demonstrations or during delays.
- It encourages respect for the environment and animals by providing information about the conservation of marine biodiversity.
- It emphasizes the importance of protecting dolphins in their natural habitat.
- Respond quickly to unforeseen situations, such as unpredictable animal behavior.
- Improvise to maintain the atmosphere and prevent moments of discomfort.
A well-trained entertainer can transform a simple demonstration into a memorable and educational event, leaving the audience with a special impression about dolphins and the importance of their protection.
About the coaches, only good things! Regardless of the conditions in which they work, it is noticeable that they do their job with love.
