Merlin Entertainments to Trial accesso Passport at Central Florida Attractions

LONDON, Oct. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- accesso^® (AIM:ACSO), the premier technology solutions provider to the global attractions and leisure industry, has announced that Merlin Entertainments plc has agreed to extend its current trial of the accesso Passport suite of ticketing and eCommerce solutions to four venues in Central Florida.

Today's announcement involves Merlin evaluating the accesso Passport ticketing suite as part of its Florida cluster opening. Beginning in spring 2015, Merlin's existing LEGOLAND Florida theme park, in addition to three planned new Orlando attractions – the Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds Orlando and SEA LIFE Orlando – will each begin trialling the ticketing suite.

"We are delighted that Merlin has chosen to place further trust in us and in the potential of the accesso Passport suite of products,'" said Tom Burnet, accesso CEO. "We all look forward to getting the trial roll-outs underway and to further reinforcing our hard-earned reputation for innovation and customer experience."

Earlier in the year accesso signed a Master Service Agreement with Merlin - Europe's number one and the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator. This framework enables Merlin to utilize the accesso Passport suite of ticketing and e-commerce solutions, which already is being tested at the UK-based THORPE PARK and SEA LIFE Birmingham attractions.

The accesso Passport ticketing suite allows operators to provide a comprehensive online shopping experience with access to online, tablet and mobile optimized advanced ticket sales. It also supports an attraction's on-site sales, seamlessly combining traditional point-of-sale, mobile point-of-sale and self-service kiosks through a forward-thinking, cloud-based platform ensuring lower operating costs and advanced data access compared with legacy software models.

accesso^® Technology Group: about us

accesso (AIM: ACSO) is the premier technology solutions provider to the global attractions and leisure industry. Our patented and award-winning solutions drive increased revenue for attraction operators by significantly improving the most important part of an attraction visit: the guest experience. Our solutions add value to operators at every point in the guest journey:

• We drive attendance
  The accesso Passport^® ticketing suite is a comprehensive, easy-to-use cloud solution that processes many millions of ticket and season passes every year, enabling operators to maximize up-sell and cross-sell with ease to drive greater revenue.
• We handle payments
  Our payment gateway carries level 1 PCI security certification and 24/7 support. It provides the tools, security and support operators need to drive sales and has so far processed more than $5 billion in transactions.
• We take guests out of line
  Since 2001 over nine million guests have used a patented accesso LoQueue^SM solution to queue less, ride more, enjoy a better experience and increase in-attraction spend.
• We simplify point-of-sale
  We offer a comprehensive point-of-sale solution through software modules that combine ticketing, membership, retail, food/beverage transactions, rentals, credit card processing and many other functions into a single system eliminating the need for separate systems and databases.
• We increase engagement
  accesso enables operators to engage more deeply and profitably with guests: pre-sale, in-attraction or post-visit. Our mobile apps have provided more than 2.75 million people with rich iOS and Android content to better plan their visit, buy their ticket on-the-go and unlock new experiences within an attraction. 

Over 400 attractions worldwide currently employ accesso technology – from theme parks, water parks, cultural attractions and sporting events to ski and snow parks. We are proud that our solutions are trusted by the majority of the leading names in the leisure industry, including Six Flags Entertainment, Cedar Fair Entertainment, Merlin Entertainments, International Speedway Corporation, Palace Entertainment, Compagnie des Alpes, and Herschend Family Entertainment.

accesso is a public company, listed on AIM: a market operated by the London Stock Exchange.

For more information visit www.accesso.com.

About MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS plc

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS plc is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment. Europe's number one and the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates 104 attractions, 10 hotels/3 holiday villages in 22 countries and across 4 continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its almost 60 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and more than 20,000 employees.

LEGOLAND^® Florida is a 150-acre interactive theme park with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, a Water Park and The LEGO^® World of Chima presented by Cartoon Network all geared to families with children ages 2 to 12. Recently announced, The LEGOLAND Hotel will open in 2015 featuring 152 highly themed rooms and suites, LEGO décor, interactive play areas, a pool and a restaurant.

The attractions company is gearing up to introduce three of its exciting global brands to the Central Florida region, with the launches of The Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds and SEA LIFE aquarium in Spring 2015 on International Drive. The Orlando Eye, the cantilevered observation wheel at the heart of the complex, will be a little sister icon to London's world-famous landmark, providing breathtaking views of Central Florida in all directions within fully enclosed, air-conditioned glass capsules.

Madame Tussauds, the world's most famous celebrity wax attraction, provides visitors with the ultimate fame experience and its signature red carpet treatment. Madame Tussauds showcases incredibly detailed and lifelike wax figures that lovingly pay tribute to the most influential celebrity and historical figures of our time.

SEA LIFE Orlando will offer a new wave of underwater adventures with beautiful displays of colorful fish, sharks, jellyfish, sea horses and more, that turn the traditional aquarium observation on its head. Winding tunnels, floor-to-ceiling tanks and bubble aquariums provide an immersive experience for children and adults alike. Additionally, the aquarium, known for its strong conservation efforts, will have unique educational components for young marine life enthusiasts.

All three attractions are scheduled to open in Spring 2015, in addition to numerous shopping and dining options in the complex, adding a new dimension to Orlando's world-class entertainment options.

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SOURCE accesso