Eventbrite's new research reveals peak demand for swim sessions and classes at reopened pools

Notwithstanding the COVID-19 pandemic having forced the temporary closure of aquatic centres and pools across parts Australia, new research from ticketing and event technology platform, Eventbrite shows demand for swim sessions and classes at reopened pools is at a peak, with thousands of sessions listed on Eventbrite throughout the months of June through to October 2020.

The new data reveals a five-fold increase in the number of sessions hosted by aquatic centres and public pools on the platform since the start of 2020.

The pandemic has also prompted aquatic and recreation centres to re-examine the technology they employ to capture patron data for contact tracing, and how they manage swim session capacity in order to adhere to COVIDSafe planning requirements.

Eventbrite's suite of safe event tools, including data capture for contact tracing, timed entry and contactless check-in have proven a great fit for aquatic centres across Australia – including the City of Stonnington's Prahran Aquatic Centre, which engaged Eventbrite to support their safe reopening following Victoria's extended lockdown. Since its successful implementation in October, the council has also transitioned Harold Holt Swim Centre onto the Eventbrite platform.  

City of Stonnington Acting Manager - Active Communities, Simon Beqir notes “City of Stonnington chose to engage Eventbrite to manage our aquatic bookings in October 2020. This followed a need to not only track attendees to our facility but also limit the number of swimmers per session to ensure we complied with State Government requirements.

“Since introducing Eventbrite we have been inundated with booking requests. At the peak of our return to swimming hysteria we had over 2500 people logging into the Eventbrite platform every day vying for 300 available swims. The Eventbrite platform provided us the flexibility we needed to monitor trends and make changes quickly in response to our customers’ needs."

Eventbrite General Manager Asia Pacific, Josh McNicol advised that an increasing number of businesses and organisations across the country are turning to multi-faceted technology partners like Eventbrite to help them reopen safely, and in accordance with government requirements.

McNicol explains "the pandemic has prompted almost every Australian business to re-think the way they operate, and ensure they are equipped with the right tools to help them safely reopen. The City of Stonnington is a great example of an organisation that moved quickly to adopt new tools and technology to help bring swimmers back to their beloved local pool after lockdown.

"With features like timed entry for social distancing, contactless ticket scanning, and contact tracing built in, the Eventbrite platform has proved to be a great fit for the City of Stonnington's Prahran and Harold Holt Pools, and we're delighted to play a role in powering their safe re-opening to the community."

For more information on Eventbrite's suite of safe event tools, including data capture for contact tracing, timed entry and contactless check-in go to eventbrite.com.au/l/event-social-distancing-tools/

For more information on Eventbrite go to eventbrite.com.au

Image top: Stonnington's Prahran Aquatic Centre and image above: Harold Holt Swim Centre