Groupon® and Galaxy Connect™: Turn Discovery into Ticket Sales

Groupon has been a Galaxy Connect partner since 2017, and one of Gateway’s earliest distributor ticketing integrations. Over that time, Gateway and Groupon have built a strong partnership to support mutual clients and deliver incremental ticket sales. The partnership has helped establish Groupon as a trusted distribution channel which is ever-expanding its focus to help even more Galaxy attractions put Groupon to work.

Faster, Smarter, and More Secure Ticket Transactions
Since its launch in 2016, Galaxy Connect has transformed online ticket sales by replacing traditional voucher-based redemption with seamless, real-time integration between attractions and online travel agencies (OTAs). This streamlined approach simplifies operations while ensuring attractions receive payment for tickets sold, regardless of guest attendance, and provides complete visibility into sales performance.

Galaxy Connect also empowers attractions with greater control over pricing and inventory. Through Galaxy, operators can implement dynamic pricing, manage ticket availability in real time, block high-demand dates, and instantly update inventory, ensuring OTA partners always display accurate pricing and availability. When integrated with Groupon, Galaxy Connect extends these same advantages to customers interested in using OTAs to expand their reach and grow revenue.

Not Just Another OTA
Groupon is uniquely positioned to drive incremental sales because it works differently than the traditional online travel agencies many attractions rely on today:

• A local and travel marketplace: Groupon reaches consumers and markets that traditional travel channels don’t, putting your attraction in front of both visitors and the local audience.
• Multi-vertical reach: Beyond experiences, Groupon offers products and services across many categories. This means customers who come for something else can discover your attraction while they’re engaged with Groupon.
• High incremental demand: Most customers book in the Groupon app using discovery searches like “Things to do this weekend.” When surveyed, 88% said it was their first time visiting, and 57% said they would not have visited if they hadn’t seen the offer on Groupon.

The Numbers Behind the Channel
Groupon’s Things To Do (TTD) business continues to grow, with demand peaking right when attractions need it most during the summer season.

Getting Started is Fast and Easy
Our shared goal is to be easy and quick to implement. A Groupon sales representative partners with attractions to understand specific goals and the best way to reach them. Once the structure of the offer is established, Groupon signs an agreement, collects content and images from the partner, and kicks off set up with its integration team. Because of the long-standing partnership with Gateway, a typical Galaxy Connect offer can go live in as little as a week.

“Groupon has been a great partner for the Phoenix Zoo. Since implementing ticket sales through Gateway, the process has been seamless and easy to manage,” a Phoenix Zoo representation said. “Their team does an excellent job promoting the Zoo, helping us increase both visibility and ticket sales. We value the partnership and look forward to continued success together.”

Pricing Built Around Your Goals
Groupon’s aim is to deliver value to both customers and partners. Discounts are a strong call to action and help maximize ticket sales. Thus, they’re encouraged when volume is the goal. But discounts may only be needed during slower periods. Attractions can offer tickets at full price during peak demand to maximize revenue, then lean on promotions to fill the calendar when you need to.

“Through our partnership with Groupon, we have generated additional revenue during our non-peak visit times,” an Aquarium of the Pacific representative said. This year, we have already experienced a 34% increase in revenue with their offers compared to last year. Groupon has supported our ticket sales with e-blasts and advertising.”

How to Win Placement from Day One
Groupon’s algorithm surfaces the best value for customers with the premise that a strong, competitive deal consistently outranks a weak one. Here’s how to win placement and conversions right away:

Pricing Strategy

• Since the algorithm favors value, be competitive on price and rates to maximize organic placement.
• Showcase deals with strong images and content as even small improvements can move a destination up the rankings.
• Strong deals surface fast at launch; weak ones get buried. Set the bar high for engagement.
• 41% of TTD spend is on $40+ offers. Never undersell a quality experience.
• Seasonal timing matters: Summer (June through August) and December are TTD peak months. Be live before peak hits.

The Value Proposition Adds Up
Since the beginning of its partnership with Galaxy, Groupon has consistently ranked among Galaxy Connect’s top 10 distribution channels. With a streamlined onboarding process and strong consumer reach, the platform provides attractions with an efficient way to expand ticket sales while minimizing implementation effort.

The results underscore its value. In 2025, Galaxy users sold more than 137,000 bookings through Groupon. Year to date, Groupon has already processed more than 98,000 tickets, putting it on pace to exceed last year’s sales volume. Guests are also purchasing an average of 2.81 tickets per booking year to date, demonstrating Groupon’s ability to drive meaningful transaction value while helping attractions reach a broad audience of qualified buyers.

Support Whenever You Need It
Every Groupon partner has access to our Merchant Center, with helpful articles, FAQs, and a built-in chat feature for additional questions. Larger partners also receive dedicated account support to help fine-tune offers and performance over time.

Ready to Add Groupon as a Sales Channel?
Whether you’re a smaller attraction looking to fill seats in the off-season or a larger venue aiming to sell out consistently, Groupon can help you reach new customers and drive incremental admissions, especially ahead of the summer peak.

Learn more about how Galaxy Connect can expand your audience and increase ticket sales.

Contact Groupon for more details about how it can help you grow revenue.