A few weeks after the official opening of the Edenya giant tropical greenhouse in Pairi Daiza (investment: €215 million), operations are well organized. It is a huge task to manage the daily care of animals, plants, and visitors. Those paying close attention will spot another major future attraction running through the area: the lazy river connecting the tropical greenhouse to the water park.
Edenya's innovative setup is well worth a visit for entrepreneurs in both day and overnight recreation. In this article, we highlight a few aspects from which other recreation businesses can learn a lesson:
Accommodations; visible and concealed
Within Edenya, 88 accommodation units have been constructed, all of which are connected to the nature experience of the greenhouse. The prices for a stay are clearly in the higher segment, but bookings show that the pricing is realistic. Moreover, guests also receive an entrance ticket to the park on the arrival and departure days. Most visitors stay for one night, which means there are slightly higher costs for the park on the changeover days.
Some of the accommodations are part of the landscaping. These holiday homes are themed based on a tropical architectural style, featuring many authentic materials such as wooden beams and a stone bath. Most accommodations are cleverly integrated into the landscape and are often located underground. Through the windows, they have a view of animal enclosures, making their stay a unique experience as well.
Considerable attention has been paid to the climate control of the accommodations. The tropical greenhouse is not the most ideal climate for comfortable sleeping. Therefore, the accommodations have their own system to control the temperature. Furthermore, strong emphasis is placed on sustainability, including misting, geothermal energy, and heat recovery. The energy still required for cooling is generated by solar panels.
Staff; a huge operation to manage Edenya
Exact figures regarding staffing levels are not shared. Prior to the opening, total annual operating costs of €10 million (excluding staff) for Edenya were budgeted. During a visit to Edenya, it becomes clearly visible that many people are needed to care for the animals and plants, among other things, and to keep the location clean and presentable. You can imagine that algae thrive in a humid, warm environment. Additionally, there are (catering) facilities that need to be staffed, and park rangers ensure that humans and animals coexist harmoniously.
Routing; full of unexpected experiences
The routing through Edenya is particularly cleverly designed. The space in front of the animal enclosures forms the foundation. Winding around this are the visitor paths, which have also been made as accessible as possible for people with disabilities. It is precisely because of all these twists and turns that you can, as it were, 'wander through the jungle,' with a new surprise around every bend (editor's note: just as Anton Pieck designed De Efteling in the past).
The rope bridge running high above the jungle is a real attraction, for which people are willing to queue for a short while. There is also plenty to discover on the lower level of the greenhouse. The restaurant The Abyss, in particular, with its underwater view of sharks and manatees, is a real gem.
Sound is also part of the experience. In this regard, the music with a cultural background enhances the atmosphere. As far as I am concerned, the animal sounds were unnecessary. “Sometimes you are not sure if you are hearing an animal or a recording.”
Pricing and upsell – an interesting game to play
The marketing department is kept very busy; how do you determine the right price? After all, the enormous investments have to be recouped. The standard entrance fee for Pairi Daiza uses a tiered pricing system based on busy and quiet days (from €25 to €52 per day). A surcharge of €7,00 is charged for access to Edenya. They also offer annual passes (Members), which are relatively favorably priced: €132 for an adult (as an indication – there are multiple segments primarily based on age). Members also pay a surcharge of €5,00 per day for Edenya. The surcharge is also intended to regulate the crowds in Edenya. It already happens regularly that a time slot is fully booked.
Accommodation options utilize a price level divided into four segments: very high season, high season, mid-season, and low season. Spokesperson Johan Vreys advises visitors from the Netherlands to look for periods when Belgian and Dutch holidays do not overlap. There are various types of accommodation differing in luxury and (animal) experience, resulting in a variety of price options. Those booking one night receive a two-day entrance ticket to the animal park; breakfast and dinner are also included in the price. The high degree of exclusivity and scarcity justify an above-average price level.
And then there are the 'other revenues' for the park, starting with a parking ticket (€13). For the remaining upsell, the guest must be enticed. This happens in the two restaurants, of which The Abyss, with its underwater view and sharks or manatees swimming by, offers a special experience. Snacks and ice cream are also available at various points. They are simply always part of a pleasant day out. Naturally, a souvenir shop cannot be missing either. Anyone who forgot to purchase their souvenir in Edenya gets a second chance at the park's exit, where souvenir shops brimming with experience can be found.
Spectacle coming; man in the lazy river
A very special attraction within Edenya is already somewhat visible; this will be the Lazy River, which connects the future water park (under construction) with the tropical world of Edenya. The Lazy River has already been constructed, and here too, an ingenious water system has been created where the wet animal enclosures and the meandering water attraction run alongside each other. At various points along the way, visitors get a glimpse into the animal enclosures. For visitors to Edenya, the splashing water guests will undoubtedly also be a species that is entertaining to observe.
The water park is under full construction, but a media blackout is being observed regarding the progress. If everything goes according to plan, the water park will open in 2028.
More information: https://www.pairidaiza.eu/nl/de-werelden/edenya/