For the most part, owners of recreational ropes courses are most interested in maximising the financial return on their investment. This return may take a variety of forms: For example, a hotel may choose to have an RCD facility as a USP and decide to make no charge to its guests for using it, their aim will be to enhance the perceived value to their clients. For others, a ropes course may be the entirety of their business and so they will be looking to charge as much as possible for the experience whilst obviously ensuring that clients perceive they are getting good value for money.
Sometimes the capital cost of a recreational facility is high, but ultimately if the return on the investment is sound then the capital cost is less critical.
It may be that a single element, for instance a Zip Wire or the POWERFAN™ is sufficient for a clients needs and pound for pound may prove most profitable. For others it can be about providing as much variety as possible. There are no hard and fast rules, but in all instances RCD aims to ensure that facility matches the client's needs and there are a variety of different ways that this can be achieved.
The adventure activity industry today has, for the most part, changed dramatically over the last 20 years. It has become more competitive and more accountable. The competitive aspect has resulted in a frequent need to have fewer staff that are less well qualified or experienced and frequently much larger centres with a larger through-put. The accountability aspect has meant there is less opportunity and (rightly or wrongly) acceptability for participants to experience real risk. Additionally, because instructors are often less experienced then there is a greater need to counter this with enhanced technology and systems.
Some organisations have endeavoured to use products and equipment designed solely for developmental use in a recreational application. This 'flies in the face' of good industrial practice and will invariably result in disastrous consequences.
A very high throughput of participants requires recreational technology and to this end RCD has, once again, led the field.
On the recreational side of the business RCD has ownership in a variety of related companies that are able to enhance the value we can provide to any potential customer.
There are generally three different routes that a client can pursue for a recreational ropes course facility with RCD or its affiliated companies (e.g. Aerial Extreme and DROPZONE™). Sometimes it can be a blend of one or more of the following options:
