Two weeks ago, news was able to report that Tusenfryd would introduce express passports, which would effectively allow people to avoid standing in line by paying extra. After strong reactions, the amusement park went back to the scheme. In a survey conducted by Norstat, on behalf of news, we asked Norwegians about their attitude to the express passports. 68 percent answered that it was problematic and did not want it to be possible to pay in queues. 16 percent disagreed. People have to pay in queues if they want to. Marketing manager in Tusenfryd, Erik Røhne Andersen, says that the figures for news reflect the feedback they have received. – I can understand the distribution based on the reactions we had when it stormed the worst. He says that they have received a lot of praise and positive feedback when they turned the case around. – And then of course there have been others who think that we should have stood by it and continued the investment, he says. Marketing manager in Tusenfryd, Erik Røhne Andersen, understands the reactions from people. Photo: TUSENFRYD Spanish owners surprised by Norwegians’ reaction Tusenfryd is owned by the Spanish company Parques Reunidos, which operates several parks with express passes. Røhne Andersen says that the Spaniards were surprised by the Norwegian reaction: – The Norwegian population reacted differently to this than in other countries, he says. – When you introduced the express passports, you argued that this was something people demanded. When you hear these numbers, can it be your attitude of misjudged people to this? – That the perception should be as different as this survey shows, we should probably be honest that we were not prepared for. – All PR is good PR, right? – I’m a little unsure of that statement. We are probably aware that this has given us a small scratch in the paint. But now we roll up our sleeves and make sure that we will raise the old woman and show that we can deliver good guest experiences in the park, comments Erik Røhne Andersen. Halvor Mehlum is Professor of Economics at the University of Oslo. Photo: Moment Studio / University of Oslo – An advantage for some Halvor Mehlum, professor of economics at the University of Oslo, believes people react so strongly because the express passport violates the principle of equality for all. He believes that Norwegians first and foremost identified with those who were in the “regular” queue. – The vast majority will not be among those who can rush by for a little more money, he points out. – It is an offer that is an advantage for some, and which at the same time steals from others’ time. – Do you think this means the end of express passports, or is it still possible to introduce it in this country? – Fasttrack and similar solutions already exist, so it is not impossible to imagine it here. It is not a legal ban on it, but it all depends on the reactions you get. The desire to make more money still exists, says Mehlum. Daisies finally dropped the plans to introduce a so-called express passport. Photo: Inger-Marit Sæby / news
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