Happy Snappy Lite, the world’s first self-service photo souvenir system operating entirely on smart devices, has shared details of a project with Cango Wildlife Ranch, South Africa. The firm helped the wildlife attraction embrace new technologies and update its photo offering to increase revenue, reach, and engagement.
The Happy Snappy Lite App can be used on a smart device to easily capture memories of an experience, for example, an animal handler can use the technology to take souvenir photographs of an animal encounter experience. This technology is affordable and easy to operate as it requires no SLR cameras, printers, kiosks, or sales areas. In addition, it offers an enhanced guest experience as visitors can view and purchase their images on their phones from any location.
Smart device based photo system has increased revenue, reach and engagement
Supporting positive change
Cango Wildlife Ranch is dedicated to animal conservation and rehabilitation. The attraction previously used an old, low-performance SLR kiosk photosystem to provide souvenir images for its visitors.
With the support of Happy Snappy Lite, the ranch has transitioned to a cloud-based, fully digital solution which runs entirely on smart devices. This update has resulted in increased revenue which supports the institution’s operational costs and animal welfare programmes. In December alone, 50,000 photographs were taken at the ranch, with over 15,000 downloads and shares – significantly raising awareness for the ranch.
The project marked a major shift for the attraction, which has historically been resistant to change to its photo imaging. Such resistance, Happy Snappy Lite suggests, is the result of many factors “such as fear of the unknown, comfort with existing practices, or concerns about disruption.”
Innovation is often risky, yet a failure to innovate can present an even greater threat. It is therefore vital to find the right partners which can support the organisation in periods of change.
James Cussen, Happy Snappy founder, reflects: “Leadership plays a crucial role in innovation as it takes courage, and the willingness to take a step into new territory. Great leaders overcome these challenges by fostering a culture of adaptability, effective communication, providing necessary resources, and demonstrating the positive outcomes that change can bring.”
Happy Snappy Lite was able to work with the ranch to overcome its concerns. “Just a few days running the system they were astonished with the performance,” reports the firm. “Their only regret, according to Vanessa, retail director, was that they didn’t start sooner!”
Barry Cooper, founder of Happy Snappy Lite, reiterates: “We have a real heart for the small to medium size attractions, and helping them access critical new revenue streams, without huge upfront costs and no need for contracts that make them feel tied in.
“Having recently partnered with sites like The London Abseil, Anfield Stadium, Cutty Sark, The XC, Thames Jet Boat, Mamma Mia UK and Hint Hunt… it shows how easy the system is for smaller attractions to join the program.”
Cango Wildlife Ranch will soon also be launching fun remove background AI entrance photos to bolster its existing animal encounter offerings.
Last year, Happy Snappy, the creators of Happy Snappy Lite, revealed that it has scouted, recruited, trained, and employed over 3,000 team members in a decade.
