Skip the Queue

In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey explores how visitor attractions can improve website performance in 2026 using insight from the 4th Visitor Attractions Website Survey.
Andy is joined by two contributors to the report:
Simon Jones, Managing Director at Navigate
Steve Mills, Director at Decision House
They break down what visitors expect from attraction websites, how digital behaviour is changing, and where operators should focus to improve conversion, visibility and trust.
Key Topics Discussed:
AI search and how visitors are using it without realising
Mobile-first design and poor mobile performance
Website speed and its impact on conversion
Visitor confidence, risk and late booking behaviour
Pricing transparency and hidden fees
Flexible ticketing and weather-driven decisions
Reviews, social proof and AI-driven discovery
Using first-party data more effectively
The rise of repeat visitors over first-time visits
 
Show References:
 
Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey
 
Simon Jones - Managing Director of Navigate
https://navigate.agency/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simontjones/
 
Steve Mills, Director at Decision House
https://decisionhouse.co.uk/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-mills-0528661b/
 
Mentioned:
Olly Reed of Navigate Agency: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-reed/
 
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 host is Andy Povey.
If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.

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

This special Monday release of Skip the Queue marks Blue Monday, often labelled the most depressing day of the year. But is Blue Monday real, or just clever marketing?
Andy Povey is joined by Emma Newell, Chair of the TEA Wellness Council, to unpack the truth behind Blue Monday and explore a much bigger issue facing the attractions industry: burnout.
Key Topics Covered: 
The truth about Blue Monday
What burnout really looks like
The Window of Tolerance
Why the attractions industry is uniquely challenging
Why burnout often feels “normal” in themed entertainment
Seasonal living and energy management
Leadership, boundaries and responsibility
The role of the TEA Wellness Council
 
Show References:
 
Emma Newell, TEA Chair, and Strategy, Culture & Leadership Coach at Magnetic Moon Coaching
https://www.teaconnect.org/
https://magneticmooncoaching.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-newell-magneticmooncoachingltd/
 
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 host is Andy Povey.
If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on iTunes, 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.

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

Step into the woods with us for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the UK’s most iconic winter light trails: Windsor Great Park Illuminated.
In this episode of Skip the Queue, Paul Marden is joined on-site by Rob Paul, Design Director at LCI Productions, and Kathryn Stafford, Senior Events Manager at IMG Events, to discuss how this 2.2km light trail continues to evolve, surprise and delight hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
Rob and Kathryn reveal how they transform a natural woodland into a breathtaking immersive world — all while protecting wildlife and crafting stories that keep guests coming back year after year.
You’ll discover:
What’s new for the 2025 trail
The creative process behind reinventing the experience annually
The challenges of designing large-scale AV in a protected natural landscape
How iconic Instagram moments are balanced with quieter storytelling
Brand-new characters, narratives and festive surprises
Trends in repeat visitation and evolving guest expectations
 
 
Show References:
 
Windsor Great Park Illuminated 
https://www.windsorilluminated.com/tickets/
 
Rob Paul - Design Director, LCI Productions
https://www.linkedin.com/company/lci-productions-ltd/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-paul-7a4ab417/
 
Kathryn Stafford - Senior Events Manager, IMG Events  / PWR
https://www.linkedin.com/company/img/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-stafford-7504241b/
 
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 host is Paul Marden.
If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on iTunes, 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.

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

In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey is joined by Melissa Oviedo (TEA), Martin Palicki (InPark Magazine), and Ed Chih (ECA) to discuss the TEA Global Experience Index and trends shaping the attractions industry in 2026.
Key Topics Covered:
Overview of the TEA Global Experience Index and global attendance trends
Shifts in guest expectations and evolving experiences
Rise of immersive IP-driven experiences
Importance of reinvestment for long-term success
Strategies to compete for guest attention and engagement
Role of storytelling and brand integration in attractions
Growth of cruise lines and location-based entertainment
Insights for operators, developers, designers, and storytellers
 
Show References:
 
Download the TEA Global Experience Index™ Report: https://www.teaconnect.org/tea-global-experience-indextm
 
Melissa Oviedo, Chief Executive Officer, Themed Entertainment Association (TEA)
https://www.teaconnect.org/
 https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-oviedo-ruminot-90a63228/
 
Martin Palicki, Publisher of InPark Magazine
https://www.inparkmagazine.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/inparkmagazine/
Edmond Chih, Director, Entertainment & Cultural Advisors (ECA)
https://www.entertainmentandculture.com/
 
Skip the Queue is brought to you by Crowd Convert. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Andy Povey.
If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on iTunes, 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.
 

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

Andy Povey is joined by two guests at the forefront of this space: Rob Liddell, Executive Producer at BBC Studios Science Unit, and Simon Clarke, Creative Director and Founder of Moonraker VFX. Fresh from announcing their new creative partnership, they’re here to share what happens when world-class storytelling meets cutting-edge visual effects in the world of immersive experiences.
 
Show References:
 
Rob Liddell, Executive Producer at BBC Studios Science Unit
https://productions.bbcstudios.com/our-production-brands/the-science-unit/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-liddell-171639137/
 
Simon Clarke, Creative Director and Founder of Moonraker VFX
https://moonrakervfx.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-clarke-07ba9146/
 
Skip the Queue is brought to you by Crowd Convert. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Andy Povey.
If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on iTunes, 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.
 
 

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