Episode 408: Harry Tomasides talks about dynamic pricing, shifting attendance and the every day is a separate event

Looking for daily inspiration?  Get a quote from the top leaders in the industry in your inbox every morning. Tired of outdated systems holding your attraction back? Gatemaster believes technology is part of the experience, transforming every touchpoint into an opportunity. Imagine seamless online booking, effortless mobile ordering, and data-driven insights at your fingertips. Ready to revolutionize your guest journey and maximize revenue? Power your attraction with Gatemaster. Discover the future at Gatemaster.com.   Harry Tomasides is the Chief Revenue Officer of Digonex. With a background in radio sales management and inventory, Harry transitioned to the attractions industry over a decade ago and now leads the sales and marketing efforts at Digonex, a company specializing exclusively in dynamic pricing solutions. Digonex serves over 130 organizations globally, including attractions and live entertainment venues, and employs a team of PhD economists who create data-driven, customized pricing strategies. In this interview, Harry talks about dynamic pricing, shifting attendance, and why every day is a separate event. Dynamic Pricing “With dynamic pricing, in our view, it's the ability to create a solution that utilizes a lot of different factors and variables.” Harry begins by clarifying what dynamic pricing truly means, especially as it differs from static or variable pricing models. Static pricing remains unchanged regardless of demand or season, while variable pricing may account for off-peak or weekend rates but still lacks true market responsiveness. Digonex’s dynamic pricing model, by contrast, uses real-time data and a range of factors—like weather, Google Analytics, and macroeconomic trends—to generate daily price recommendations. These are not fixed mandates but suggestions that attractions can accept, reject, or adjust based on their goals and comfort level. The process allows organizations to better match their pricing to actual market conditions, ultimately optimizing both revenue and accessibility. Shifting Attendance “We have stories where...on the weekend [a client] had 14,000 people...when they did dynamic pricing, it completely smoothed out the attendance.” One of the most impactful benefits of dynamic pricing, according to Harry, is its ability to shift attendance patterns. By creating incentives for guests to visit during off-peak days or times, attractions can reduce overcrowding and improve the guest experience. This redistribution leads to operational advantages such as shorter queues, less stress on staff, and higher guest satisfaction. Importantly, Harry emphasizes the value of transparency in pricing—clients are advised to display pricing calendars on their websites and to avoid real-time price increases during checkout, which can erode trust. Instead, Digonex recommends plan-ahead pricing, ensuring guests feel confident that booking earlier guarantees the best rate. Every Day Is a Separate Event “With attractions...we look at every day as a separate event.” Unlike concerts or sports games that occur on specific dates, attractions operate continuously and require pricing strategies that reflect daily variations in demand. Harry explains that Digonex treats each operating day as its own event, sometimes even breaking days into segments (like morning, afternoon, and evening) for further granularity. Their algorithms assess price elasticity, guest behavior, conversion data, and substitution effects, which can even lead to increases in membership sales as guests perceive more value in an annual pass. This nuanced view allows for tailored pricing that meets an organization’s financial and strategic goals—whether that’s maximizing revenue, improving accessibility, or encouraging earlier purchases. For more information about Digonex or to contact Harry directly, visit https://www.digonex.com or email him at [email protected]. The site also features their “11 Commandments” company values and more educational resources on dynamic pricing.   This podcast wouldn't be possible without the incredible work of our faaaaaantastic team: Audio and Video editing by Abby Giganan Scheduling and correspondence by Kristen Karaliunas   To connect with AttractionPros: AttractionPros.com [email protected] AttractionPros on Facebook AttractionPros on LinkedIn AttractionPros on Instagram AttractionPros on Twitter (X)