MORE IMPORTANT THAN A COMFY BED!

Hybrid working has blurred the lines between ‘holiday’ and ‘home’ and as a direct result, connectivity expectations have undertaken a seismic upturn. Recent research showed that 78% of guests expect ultrafast Wi-Fi across the entire park with 31% considering reliable Wi-Fi as more important than a comfortable bed.

Today’s holiday park visitors don’t just want but demand the same seamless on-line access they get at home. That means delivering strong and robust Wi- Fi has become as essential as providing water and electricity. Poor Wi-Fi experiences lead to lower park review scores and reduced guest retention.

Parks that fail to deliver a strong connection risk losing out to competitors who recognise the importance of a top-tier digital experience. “The UK leisure and holiday park sector is an industry going through one of the most dynamic periods of transformation I’ve seen,” says Kendal Stacey of Wifinity UK, on the back of 25 years of specialist experience.

“It’s no longer just about delivering Wi-Fi to a static caravan — it’s about enabling a smart, digital-first environment where every touchpoint, from check-in to entertainment, is frictionless.” Founded in 2007, Wifinity has become a market leader in managed connectivity solutions, specialising in complex and hard-to-reach environments.

THE DEMAND FOR FAST, reliable Wi-Fi at holiday parks isn’t a passing trend, it’s an expectation that will only continue to grow.

Originally founded to solve connectivity issues for military personnel living in remote MOD barracks, Wifinity has expanded its expertise to a variety of industries including education, healthcare and residential communities.

Wifinity works with 4/5 of the UK’s top parks, providing internet to over 25,000 holiday let accommodation units, and holiday parks is a significant specialist area. Winning holiday destinations now need to think like both hoteliers and tech providers combined, taking a broad perspective encompassing:
• Smart energy management
• Digital signage
• EV infrastructure

Kendal reports: “Parks are investing in IoT, mobile-first guest platforms, and cloud-based infrastructure to stay competitive, meet guest expectations and optimise operations. These need a strong underpinning connectivity network to be effective. “It’s an exciting space — one that blends decades of traditional guest service with the cutting edge of tech innovation.”

Investing in the IT network and Wi-Fi is not just about investment cost but also revenue generation by future-proofing your venue as a key asset while improving guest satisfaction. By comparison, poor connectivity can lead to negative reviews, lost repeat bookings, and brand damage.

Strong connectivity and premium Wi-Fi tiers drive revenue streams. Smart point-of-sale systems, kiosks and mobile ordering rely on a robust network foundation. Better connectivity leads to more on-site spend, especially when guests can easily order food, book activities or upgrade experiences via an app.

Smooth operation allows holiday businesses to think outside of the box with such innovations as pop-up food and beverage, retail or services and providing secure EPOS, allowing you to trade anywhere “Strong connectivity actually becomes a selling point in itself,"

Kendal points out, “Reviews go up. Word of mouth spreads. Repeat visits increase. “Parks that can market “connected luxury” or “work-from-holiday” win business over those that can’t,” he points out. Guests now bring an average of 3–5 devices per family member — phones, tablets, smart TVs, gaming consoles. Investing in the network enables:
• Streaming services in accommodation
• Smart room features (heating, lighting)
• App-based bookings and real-time info

But it is not all about the guest experience. Streamlined operations is proven to reduces cost through increased efficiency as a strong IT network supports:
• Staff communication and mobility
• Smart energy management (reducing utility costs)
• CCTV and ANPR systems
• Real-time occupancy and usage tracking.

This all adds up to lower overheads and better decision-making. “Investing in a robust network keeps your business competitive,” comments Kendal. “Other parks are already doing this — those who don’t invest will fall behind.”

OPERATORS WHO INVEST in robust, future-proof solutions will not only see higher guest satisfaction but also increased revenue and operational efficiency.

“With hybrid working and workations now the norm, guests are choosing locations with reliable connectivity so they can stay longer and blend work with leisure.” Building trust through security and compliance, modern networks include enterprise-grade security, guest data protection and content filtering — protecting your brand and your guests from risks.

Especially important for family-friendly and corporate clientele including:
• Guest data protection (GDPR compliance)
• Network segmentation to protect business systems
• Content filtering for family-friendly environments

A foundation in future technology is essential for holiday venues looking to introduce features such as:
• EV chargers
• Mobile check-in
• Smart TVs
• In-park digital signage

All of that depends on a scalable and resilient network including:
• Wi-Fi 7 adoption for higher speeds and lower latency
• Edge computing at park level to process data locally
• AI analytics to understand guest behaviour and improve services
• Integration with CRM systems for personalised guest experiences
• Data driven decisions

Kendal urges: “A modern IT network is not just about Wi-Fi — it’s about creating a digitally enabled park that delights guests, empowers staff, reduces costs, and builds brand loyalty. “For park owners, it’s an investment in long-term growth. It’s a fundamental and valuable asset that every park owner would consider when buying or selling a park.”

Wifinity
020 8090 1290
07376 053094
www.wifinity.co.uk

DIGITAL DESTINATIONS

In an era where the digital landscape continually reshapes our everyday experiences, the realm of holiday bookings for parks, caravan parks, campsites and glamping sites are no exception. As the tourism and hospitality industries continually adapts to technological advancements, online booking systems and apps have become indispensable tools, revolutionising how holidaymakers plan and secure their outdoor escapes.

Traditionally, booking a holiday involved a series of phone calls, emails, or even in-person visits. This method, while effective in its time, was often cumbersome and time-consuming. The advent of the internet and the expansion of smartphones have dramatically transformed this process, offering seamless and efficient booking solutions that cater to both operators and customers.

Modern online booking systems and apps streamline the reservation process, providing a host of benefits that enhance the overall holiday experience. These digital platforms offer real-time availability, instant confirmations, secure payment gateways, and personalized services, ensuring that both the holidaymaker and the operator can manage bookings with ease and confidence.

Today’s leisure guests have higher expectations than ever of the hospitality venues they visit – and there’s no doubt this extends to their stays at holiday parks too. Guests are looking for convenient, completely stress-free experiences, and technology that can help facilitate seamless experiences, including booking tools and apps, will be key to meeting these expectations. By digitalising booking processes across the site, holiday park operators will be able to improve the guest experience, leverage these tools to help boost revenue, and free up valuable staff time, allowing them to focus their attention on guests.

BOOSTING ON-PARK SPEND
A user-friendly booking system makes it effortless for guests to explore and reserve on-site experiences. Making it easy for guests to book activities, dine at restaurants, and enjoy other amenities will maximise their enjoyment, as well as generate revenue.

By streamlining the booking process, guests are also less likely to seek alternative entertainment off-site. Online booking systems also offer avenues for strategic upselling. The booking journey can be designed to naturally nudge guests towards additional items during a reservation process. For instance, the system might suggest pairing dinner with pre-arrival cocktails or a celebratory bottle of sparkling wine on arrival at the on-site restaurant.

This strategic approach can increase revenue and can enhance the overall dining experience According to our research, nearly half of holidaymakers are interested in loyalty programmes which presents a clear opportunity to incentivise additional spending and encourage longer stays.

By having a digital booking system in place, operators can leverage their booking system data to craft targeted promotions and packages based on guest preferences or past booking history. This can be anything from offering discounts on activities enjoyed during a previous stay to enticing deals on extended getaways. Having all this tech fully integrated – from bookings to loyalty schemes – also makes it easier for staff to manage and for guests to use.

THIS STRAIGHTFORWARD usability not only streamlines daily tasks but also reduces training time.

BEYOND REVENUE
The right technology can go beyond just boosting revenue, it can also contribute to creating a truly exceptional guest experience. Table reservation technology, for example, empowers guests by putting control at their fingertips. With the right platform in place, guests can not only reserve a table at their favourite on-site restaurants but also browse and book exciting activities, amenities and events.

This level of control over the customer journey caters to individual needs and saves precious holiday time. Such systems also eliminate guest frustrations such as having to queue for a table and ensures a smooth dining experience. With digital booking systems, both staff and guests are also able to view live table availability – this helps manage guest expectation whilst helping teams better manage busy periods.

Meanwhile ordering technology, such as click-and-collect or order-and-pay apps, can help boost revenues by enabling guests to pre-order meals for convenient pick-up or in-accommodation delivery. In fact, research shows a strong preference for services like breakfast delivery and on-site takeaway, highlighting areas where holiday parks can cater to guest convenience.

At Zonal, we worked with Shorefield Holidays to develop a branded, feature-rich customer app, fully- integrated with their EPoS, to give guests more control over their dining experience during their stay, complete with deliver-to-location functionality to enable meals to be delivered straight to their accommodation. Not only does the guest experience improve, but booking technology integrated with other park systems can significantly reduce pressure on staff.

For example, an integrated booking and table management system eliminates the need for manual data entry, saving staff time and minimising errors. This allows staff to focus on providing exceptional guest service and creating a welcoming atmosphere. By implementing such strategies, you can create a win-win situation for your holiday park – happier guests and boosted profits.

ROBERTS GROUP has once again demonstrated their commitment to excellence by incorporating GemaPark.

SUCCESS STORY
Nestled along the serene banks of the River Glaslyn in the heart of Snowdonia, Cae Du Caravan and Camping Park has beautiful panoramic sea views. Known for their family-run charm and numerous scenic sites across North Wales, the Roberts Group has once again demonstrated their commitment to excellence by incorporating GemaPark as the park management and booking system for Cae Du.

We spoke with Rachel, the new manager at Cae Du, to uncover the reasons behind this strategic choice and its impact on their operations. Rachel, brimming with enthusiasm about the new system, shared her insights. “Other sites within the group were using GemaPark and had nothing but good things to say about it. Coming from a completely different system myself, I wanted a system that was easy to use, would save time when making bookings, and provide easy access to make changes.

I also wanted check-in to be as easy as possible and by using GemaPark, this has definitely been a big upgrade.” Her emphasis on user-friendliness and efficiency underscores the critical needs of a busy holiday park like Cae Du, where smooth and quick operations are essential for both staff and guests. Transitioning to a new system can be a daunting task, especially for a site as large as Cae Du.

Rachel highlighted how GemaPark met their specific needs. “Due to us being such a big site, GemaPark makes us feel in control of our park at all times, which is exactly what we need. Especially with it being our first year at the park, we are learning so much about it.” GemaPark’s ability to provide control and adaptability has clearly been a success for the new management team, ensuring a strong operational foundation from day one.

WITH GEMAPARK you benefit from updates as they happen so the system you are using is never outdated.

A significant advantage of GemaPark is its ease of use, a factor that Rachel greatly appreciates. “GemaPark is a very efficient system which I have found very simple to train office staff on. The help guide is a brilliant addition and always there as a reminder. I like the process of making bookings as it is easy to explain how to use, and everything is very clear on the screen.”

This straightforward usability not only streamlines daily tasks but also reduces training time, allowing new staff members to quickly get up to speed. Rachel also praised the support network provided by GemaPark. “GemaPark are certainly there when you need them and it’s a great relief to know they are when you have a problem. Every ticket I have raised has been dealt with quickly and efficiently.

As everything was brand new to us there were a lot of questions so I raised a lot of tickets. Really happy with everything, it’s a great support network.” The prompt and effective support from GemaPark ensures that any issues are swiftly resolved, enabling the Cae Du team to maintain high standards of service. GemaPark is an internet-based park management and booking system designed to cater to a variety of needs, from self-catering and glamping to touring, camping, holiday homes, storage, and long-term lets.

Its comprehensive features and user-centric design make it an ideal solution for managing diverse holiday park requirements. With the adoption of GemaPark, Cae Du Caravan and Camping Park is well-equipped to offer a seamless and enjoyable experience for all its visitors, reinforcing the Roberts Group’s reputation for excellence in hospitality across North Wales.

With a growing Cloud booking system such as GemaPark you benefit from updates as they happen so the system you are using is never out of date. Making the most of the new features can also require your input. At the end of each season it is important to check out what new features have been added and seeing if you want to work them into your system.

GEMAPARK IS A VERY EFFICIENT system which I have found very simple to train office staff on.

For example for 2024/25 GemaPark has added Dynamic pricing, Group bookings, Gift Vouchers, Additional accounting features, Full two way Hoseasons integration, ePitch integration, TXGB to name but a few. GemaPark offer a free online review meeting to all our clients whenever they want it to ensure they are getting the most out of the system.

The digital revolution has undoubtedly transformed the way holiday parks, caravan parks, campsites, and glamping sites manage bookings and engage with customers. Online booking systems and apps offer a plethora of benefits, from increased efficiency and customer satisfaction to valuable data insights and enhanced marketing capabilities.

While challenges exist, the ongoing advancements in technology and the increasing demand for convenient, personalized experiences ensure that these platforms will continue to play a pivotal role in the tourism and hospitality industries. For operators, embracing this digital transformation is not just an option but a necessity.

By investing in robust online booking systems and staying abreast of emerging trends, they can remain competitive, attract a global audience, and deliver exceptional holiday experiences. As we look to the future, the possibilities for innovation and growth in this sector are limitless, promising exciting times ahead for both operators and holidaymakers alike.

Cae Du Farm
01654 711234
www.caeducampsite.co.uk

GemaPark
01983 282 420
www.gemapark.co.uk

Roberts Group
01758 719417
www.robertsgroup.wales

Zonal
0800 131 3400
www.zonal.co.uk/holidayparks

PROVING THE PERFECT APP SOLUTION

PROVING THE PERFECT APP SOLUTION

GEMAPARK AND HOLIDAYMAKER APP working together give Wooda Farm Holiday Park the edge in providing a great customer experience

Wooda Farm Holiday Park identified that a mobile app was the perfect solution to giving customers a central place to go for information and booking functionality, and also provided an easy way to communicate with customers in the run up to and during their stay. It was important that the app tied in closely with their GemaPark booking system to allow the customer to review their booking and plan their stay by adding extras and booking activities.

Charlotte Veale from Wooda explains: “It is so much easier for the customer to find all the information they require in one place. “It is really easy for them to book activities whilst they are here, book a table in the restaurant or order their takeaway online, and also to keep track of their booking details/ payments etc without having to search for their email confirmation before they arrive. They can easily see what’s on during their stay and what they can do whilst on holiday.”

GemaPark’s integration with Holidaymaker mobile app provides allows customers to view their booking details and see activity availability all from within the app. It integrates seamlessly to the GemapPark guest area for making payments, add extras and booking activities prior to arrival and during their stay. Combined with the use of push communications through the app this is also perfect for upselling whilst your customers are with you.

David Lakins, of Holiday Maker App, comments: “Adding in the new GemaPark events module takes the whole guest offering to another level. “Wooda guests can now download the app, sign in with their GemaPark booking ID and then see a live feed of events and activities on the park. “To make a booking, it is a seamless click through to GemaPark’s portal to make a payment. This is another first for GemaPark and Holidaymaker app” he adds. To learn more about GemaPark or the Holidaymaker App, please get in touch for an informal conversation.

GemaPark.co.uk
Holidaymakerapp.co.uk