Visitor Tech Firm Merac Expands at Exeter Science Park
The software provider is scaling operations following its 2025 acquisition and a strategic shift toward integrated guest experience platforms.
Technology firm Merac has moved into larger office space at Exeter Science Park to support its ongoing growth. The expansion follows a period of organizational transformation after the company was acquired by Crowd Convert in 2025.
Merac provides an integrated software platform designed specifically for the visitor attractions sector, including museums, zoos, and theme parks. Its suite of tools unifies ticketing, memberships, retail, catering, and guest engagement into a single system. Recent product developments have focused on reducing friction for visitors, with the rollout of self-service food and beverage kiosks, ticket kiosks, and mobile point-of-sale (POS) solutions. The company has also introduced 'Merac Engage,' a tool designed for behavioral data communications.
Evolution of the Guest Journey
Established 30 years ago in Exeter, Merac originally operated as a business focused primarily on ticketing. Under the leadership of Managing Director Andy Povey, the company has transitioned into a comprehensive guest experience provider. This shift reflects a broader trend in the visitor economy toward "frictionless" journeys, where the digital infrastructure supporting a guest's visit is seamless across different touchpoints.
According to Povey, visitors do not experience attractions in separate departments; they move from purchasing a ticket to paying for lunch and visiting a gift shop. He argues that the technology supporting these interactions should mirror that seamless movement rather than operating in silos.
Regional Tech Impact
The move highlights the role of regional hubs like Exeter Science Park—which currently hosts 45 businesses across the science and technology sectors—in helping specialized B2B software companies scale. By consolidating various operational needs into one data-driven system, Merac is positioning itself to capture more of the market as attractions seek to modernize their infrastructure.
Future Outlook
As Merac continues to integrate its services, the company remains focused on expanding its software capabilities to better serve the evolving needs of the visitor economy. While the company has undergone significant structural changes since its 2025 acquisition, the primary objective remains the unification of the guest experience through integrated technology. By leveraging its position within the Exeter tech ecosystem, Merac aims to refine how attractions manage the intersection of operational efficiency and guest satisfaction, ensuring that the digital backbone of the visitor experience remains invisible yet effective.