Train travel becomes more enjoyable with Eurostar's latest initiative: introducing board games for a stress-free journey.
In a bid to make travel more enjoyable and less stressful, Eurostar, the high-speed train service connecting 28 destinations across Europe, has partnered with board game publisher Asmodee. This collaboration aims to provide passengers with engaging and entertaining activities onboard, turning transit time into an opportunity for relaxation, social interaction, and fun[1].
The curated selection of games includes fast-paced visual games like Dobble Dinosaurs and Dobble Animal Crossing, card games such as Exploding Kittens, memory-based mind games like Trio, the reflex-challenging game Jungle Speed, and a family-friendly option called Happy Mochi. These games have been carefully chosen to cater to various age groups and interests[1].
Bert De Smet, Director of Asmodee Belgium, suggests that suitable board games can help travelers enjoy their journey. He advises packing game components in sealable plastic bags instead of bulky boxes and using a small mat or dice app to reduce noise on tray tables. This is to ensure that the games are compact and cause minimal disruption[1].
According to Alex Wood, Eurostar's Service Strategy Manager, these board games are one of the ways to make traveling with Eurostar more enjoyable. He explains that the journey with Eurostar is considered as the beginning of the holiday, and these games can help passengers start their vacation on a positive note[1].
A recent study found that 61% of passengers believe that playing games makes time pass faster, while 64% of respondents were disturbed by noisy children on public transport. By offering these games, Eurostar aims to reduce travel-related anxiety, make the trip more pleasant, and encourage interaction among passengers[1].
Many travellers resort to bribing children with snacks and electronic devices, which has limited success. However, these games offer a more interactive and engaging alternative, helping to keep children occupied and reducing screen time[1].
Whether these games will lead to peaceful carriages or spark friendly competition remains uncertain. But one thing is for sure: the benefits of playing board games on public transportation are numerous, from promoting stress-free travel to enhancing the passenger experience during the journey. This initiative reflects a broader trend of integrating leisure activities into travel to improve overall customer satisfaction[1].
Sources: [1] Eurostar Press Release, "Eurostar partners with Asmodee to offer new board games on selected routes," 2021.
- The assortment of board games provided by Eurostar, such as Dobble Dinosaurs and Exploding Kittens, aim to make travel more enjoyable for passengers, turning transit time into a relaxing and fun experience.
- By playing games like Trio or Happy Mochi, passengers can help pass the time faster and reduce travel-related anxiety, enhancing their overall journey experience.
- Properly packing board game components in sealable bags and using apps for games like Jungle Speed can help minimize noise on board, ensuring a more pleasant travel experience for all.
- As families embark on their holidays, these games can help kick off their vacation on a positive note, providing an entertaining and interactive alternative to electronic devices.
- A study suggests that offering board games on public transportation can encourage interaction among passengers, potentially leading to a more social and enjoyable travel experience overall.
