The San Antonio Zoo implemented a completely cashless system starting last Friday, April 18, an evolution from their cashless admission ticket sales that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. All transactions in the zoo will require a credit card, debit card or mobile payment option. For those carrying cash, the zoo offers various reverse ATM kiosks that exchange cash for prepaid Mastercards, which can be used instead.
The new rules may take time to process for all guests, especially those accustomed to using cash for non-ticket sales, such as buying snacks around the zoo or giving children an allowance to purchase toys. However, the zoo has taken every step to make the transition as smooth and accommodating as possible. The choice to go completely cashless is a step in the right direction.
The zoo says the change allows them to provide faster service, increased security and touch-free convenience, all meant to improve guests’ experience.
The San Antonio Zoo is a nationally renowned institution that welcomes over one million local and traveling visitors annually. Their growing presence on social media, where they update and entertain the world with educational and funny content about their 750+ species of animals, works to increase sales and attendance. With that comes the need to adjust policies to make people’s time at the zoo as enjoyable as possible.
Waiting in line for a long time while cashiers count cash or searching around for enough bills to buy a tiger plushie can make visits stressful. Cashless transactions are quicker, safer and growing increasingly common every day. The number of people carrying around cash is significantly low these days, with 51.6% of Americans not using any cash in a week. Often, people are forced to stop by an ATM before visiting tourist attractions due to a lack of accommodations for cashless payments, thus wasting their time. Nothing is radical about the zoo going cashless; they are merely keeping up with a global trend.
What started as a safety measure during the pandemic for the zoo has transformed into a system to improve operations and enhance visitors’ experience. Less time counting coins means more time feeding giraffes and taking photos of cute capybaras, taking advantage of all the zoo can offer.
