Pokémon Go has taken the world by storm. The augmented reality game allows players to collect “wild” Pokémon using the game on their smartphone in the real world. The main idea is to collect all 151 of the characters from their habitats in parks, near water, at landmarks and points of interests and other random places.
Because the game is built upon exploration of the real world, hoteliers, restaurateurs and other hospitality industry professionals have been quick to grasp the opportunities for increasing foot traffic. Here are the two top fives you need to know about Pokémon Go as an hotelier:
Top five terms
1. Pokémon
An abbreviation of the term “pocket monster” Pokémon (singular and plural) are the little creatures that can be found around the world by “trainers”. Some Pokémon are rarer than others, and less advanced Pokémon can evolve into rarer and stronger Pokémon. There are several types of Pokémon, and a Pokémon can belong to multiple types. Once caught, Pokémon are added to a trainer’s Pokédex.
2. Trainer
People who capture, collect and battle Pokémon are known as trainers.
3. PokéStop
A PokéStop is a place in real life that has been designated as an area that trainers can visit to find objects such as more Poké Balls (used for catching Pokémon), Potions (used for healing Pokémon), Berries (that have healing properties and can cure status conditions), Revives and even sometimes Eggs (that will hatch a Pokémon after a trainer has walked a certain distance). PokéStops are usually found at landmarks and places of interest as they are based on the earlier Niantic game, Ingress. Lures can also be placed near PokéStops that will attract wild Pokémon to the area.
4. Gym
Like PokéStops, Gyms are found at specific locations in the real world, usually at landmarks and places of interest. At Gyms, trainers can battle their Pokémon. At first, Gyms are not controlled by a team, but teams can win control over a gym. Gyms also have multiple levels and varying amounts of Prestige.
5. Team
There are three teams in the game that trainers can belong to, Team Mystic (blue), Team Instinct (yellow) and Team Valor (red).
Top five ways to embrace the craze
1. Host events
Many restaurants, fun parks, hotels and other places have been hosting Pokémon Go-themed events. For instance you might try hosting a half-price drinks evening exclusively for members of a particular team (check which team controls the gym nearest to you and target them, or hold an event when a new team wrests control from another team). Some Pokémon are easier to catch at night, so you could also try hosting a night-time Pokémon hunt. Because Pokémon Go is based on augmented rather than virtual reality, the possibilities are endless.
2. Provide Wi-Fi and charging
Pokémon Go is heavy on battery and data usage, so providing a place where trainers can use free Wi-Fi and charge their phones will bring trainers to you and keep them around for longer.
3. Drop lures
An even better way to bring trainers to your establishment is by dropping a lure. Wild Pokémon are attracted to lures, and trainers can see where lures are active, and will be more likely to visit that location in the hopes of catching a wild Pokémon. Lures cost just over one US dollar per hour.
4. Offer specials
Try offering specials to patrons based on their level as a trainer, Pokémon ownership or team membership.
5. Be helpful
Create a map of the various PokéStops and gyms in your area (and let people know what is special about these places in real life, not just in Pokémon Go life), and keep a tally of what Pokémon have been caught near you and where to help players who are trying to catch a particular Pokémon. If you don't want to get too involved, simply snapping some pictures of Pokémon and PokéStops in your area and sharing them on social media can bring dedicated trainers to your area.
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