admission is $2.50 per student, and the average school group size is 34 students. Thus each school group produces an average revenue of $85.00. There have been some complaints from adult visitors that the schoolchildren disrupt the ambiance of the aquarium, and the staff is concerned about maintaining a balance between the children's' groups and the needs of the public at large. During the winter, the aquarium receives $1,700 from general admissions during weekdays.
The aquarium also receives revenue from its gift shop, which sells calendars and memorabilia associated with aquatic life in general and with the aquarium in particular. There are no restaurants or other food vendors on the property, but visitors can purchase refreshments outside the aquarium in Stanley Park. Groups that rent the facility use outside caterers to provide food.
For the purposes of this analysis, it is assumed that the aquarium would be able to book an average of 10 student tours in a day if given the capacity to do so. This assumption is based on the current situation where tours are turned away with a capacity of six, and a current daily average of five tours.
It is also assumed that the promotional effort undertaken by the aquarium will be sufficient to maintain local interest at the current level. In this way, attendance can be expected to remain at 1986 levels were no other action taken.
If tour capacity is increased, it is assumed that the aquarium would be able to recruit and train volunteers to meet the increased demand of the additional groups. It is also assumed that the majority of visitors will continue to spend less than three hours at the aquarium.
Alternative No. 1: The aquarium could choose to keep its current schedule and operating hours. This would maintain the current attendance levels and revenue figures.
Pros: No additional volunteers would need to be recruited, trained and scheduled to handle a change in operat...