As bowling centres increasingly look to cater to families, amusements are proving to be an indispensible attraction, writes Simon Liddle.
Bowling is among the most popular leisure activities globally. Simplicity is often the key to great games and, because as a concept it is so easy to grasp, bowling attracts players of all ages and all levels of ability.
Although it is certainly true to say that in some markets the bowling market is relatively static, elsewhere state-of-the-art bowling centres are drawing customers in their droves. In today’s economic climate, of course, the majority of consumers are seeking the most value for their money. Consequently, bowling now competes with a host of other leisure activities. Operators have long known that to offer food and beverage outlets and other forms of amusement alongside the game itself helps deliver a more well rounded entertainment experience. In today’s climate, these secondary amenities – most notably arcade amusements – are becoming increasingly important.
“Retaining customers,” said Ricardo Cuppi, new centre product and segment manager at bowling manufacturer QubicaAMF, “has always been a major goal for all location-based business operators but now it is more important than ever before.”
This article can be read in full in the October issue of InterGame.
