The Future of Activity Centres: What’s Changing and What Isn’t

Introduction

Running an outdoor activity centre today feels very different to pre-covid times. Customer expectations have shifted, technology has caught up with centre requirements and operators are faced with having to balance digital systems with hands-on experiences.

Beneath the change the mission remains the same: get people outside, trying something new and leave them smiling.

In this post we’ll explore what changing in this new era and what isn’t. As well as looking at the future of activity centres, from how people book to how teams are run behind the scenes.

What’s changing

The booking journey

The booking journey has gone from optional to essential the expectation is seamless online booking software for activity centres that lets them plan in advance or book last-minute. Discovering, booking and paying is now no longer the goal, it’s the baseline of customer experience for outdoor recreation. And platforms like Sailia, FareHarbour and Roller have made digital operations the new baseline.

Customers don’t expect to have to trawl through multiple pages on google to find you, it’s expected that you’ll be listed on the first page of google as a bookable link or within a platform such as Adventuro, Tripadvisor, or Get Your Guide. Luckily with next generation platforms such as Sailia and FareHarbour this is just a click away from being possible.

Operations and automation

The biggest change is the exodus from excel. 10 years ago it was expected that bookings, staffing, deposits, qualifications etc would all be stored in massive spreadsheets. This was effective, but lead to loads of easy mistakes, inefficiencies and extra admin instead of a focus on running the business. What used to take 5 different spreadsheets quickly became 5 different systems and now that can all be migrated into one unified platform. Instructor schedules, weather updates, waivers and payments can all sync automatically - meaning less time in the office and more time focusing on your activities.

The goal isn’t to remove people from the process, but to remove friction. Automation is about taking care of the repeatable admin tasks so staff can focus on the moments that really matter: greeting guests, teaching and creating great experiences.

Data-driven decisions

Businesses that used to rely on gut feeling are now backed by real data. Knowing which sessions will fill fastest, which instructors drive the most repeat bookings and which products (on what days) are the most profitable. This allows operators to make small, smart adjustments that add up to big results.

The future belongs to the operators who use insights, not instinct, to guide decisions. Whether it’s adjusting pricing dynamically, opening more weekend slots or investing in a new activity data turns every day management into strategic decisions.

What’s evolving, not disappearing

The role of instructors

Technology can streamline operations, but it can’t replace the feeling of leaning from a great instructor. The calm encouragement, the trust they build, the moment a student finally gets it! - That’s something that no software can replicate.

The best centres give their instructors digital tools and booking systems that make their lives easier. By having access to tools such as: lesson plans, quick access to participant info and simplified sign-ins instructors can just ocus on the teaching and this admin burden is relieved. These changes don’t replace the human side, but boosts it.

The community

Activity centres are at their heart social spaces. They’re where kids make friends, families spend weekends and local clubs meet after work. As operations move online, keeping that community energy alive becomes even more important.

We’ve seen that successful centres will use tools to deepen community, not distance it - think post session photo sharing, loyalty schemes, group booking links and memberships! - We’ve seen that memberships are hugely valuable for creating that necessary centre community.

What will always matter

Safety and trust

No amount of technology will ever replace the importance of trust. Customers book with centres they feel safe with. Centres that communicate clearly, manage risk responsibly, and have reliable processes in place. Digital waivers and attendance logs help reinforce that trust, giving both guests and staff peace of mind.

Simplicity

The activity centres thriving in this new era are often the ones keeping things simple. Clear pricing, frictionless booking, fast check-in, and responsive communication all make a huge difference. Customers don’t notice complexity, they notice when things just work. Having systems in place to make this is happen is essential.

Conclusion

The future of activity centres won’t be defined by the software they use, but by how they blend digital efficiency with human experience.

Technology is finally at a point where it can take care of the boring stuff - the paperwork, the payments, the scheduling - so operators can get back to what they do best: helping people get outside, learn something new, and leave smiling.

If you’re ready to see what that future looks like today, discover how Sailia can help your centre run smarter, not harder.