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

UNLOCKING YOUR BUSINESS POTENTIAL

UNLOCKING YOUR BUSINESS POTENTIAL

Looking forward to an unmissable event...

HOLIDAY PARK & RESORT INNOVATION visitors can explore showcases offering an extensive range of products and services.

If you’re eager to stay ahead in the industry and unlock the latest trends, innovations and strategies to take your business to new heights, then mark your calendar for November 15th and 16th and set your SAT NAV to Birmingham’s NEC! The countdown is on to Holiday Park & Resort Innovation, the UK’s premier event for holiday park and resort professionals at the NEC Birmingham this November 15th and 16th.

The event will once again run concurrently with three other shows – Farm Business Innovation, Family Attraction Expo, and Leisure Food & Beverage Expo. Together, the four shows form the largest event for businesses in the fields of land, leisure, and tourism.

Whether you’re a seasoned industry player, or exploring the idea of starting your own business, join Holiday Park Innovation to discover cutting-edge products, strategies and insights to stay ahead in the leisure, hospitality and tourism industry.

The 2023 event promises to be the best yet, with visitors getting the opportunity to explore exhibition space spanning two halls that showcases an extensive range of products and services essential for building successful holiday businesses, as well as getting valuable updates and inspiration from the show’s insightful speaker programme.

TOURISM SECTOR
With new innovations reshaping the UK tourism sector by improving the planning and booking process, enhancing customer experience, promoting sustainability, and providing valuable insights to businesses, technology is a key theme through the exhibition halls and seminar programme.

Immerse yourself in a world of pioneering innovation, with 420 exhibitors across the four shows showcasing tailored products and services designed to meet your unique needs.

Confirmed exhibitors include Swift – the UK’s largest manufacturer of touring caravans, motorhomes and holiday homes, Hoseasons, TouchWood Play, the British Holiday & Home Parks Association, Tiny House Pro, Creative Play, Dale Leisure Supplies, Cubicle Works, Clear Sky Safari Tents, Innovative Leisure, Volta Compliance and Go Low Carbon.

Every aspect of providing a first-class holiday experience will be covered – from planning consultancy and booking management software, to safari tents, outdoor play equipment and washroom solutions.

THE HOLIDAY PARK & RESORT Innovation event covers every aspect of providing a first-class holiday experience.

SEMINAR HIGHLIGHTS
The extensive seminar schedule across both days of the show features experts from a wide range of specialisms sharing top tips and advice for start-ups and existing businesses. Across both the Keynote Theatre programme – sponsored by Cottages.com and Hoseasons – and the Seminar Theatre - sponsored by Maxxton – you can hear from dozens of industry experts across 90 sessions.

Tom Clark is General Manager of Brit Stops, and will host a seminar at the show. “From a small family business and passion project, we have grown Brit Stops into an established and recognised brand within the motorhome industry. At the show we’ll share our focus on driving innovation and expansion at Brit Stops and supporting the next chapter of UK motorhome tourism.”

Gillian Hare and Brodie Farrow of Pitchup.com will reflect on post-pandemic trends. “Rather than representing a one-off peak, the pandemic kickstarted a legacy of outdoor holidaying that will continue to benefit the industry for years to come,” says Gillian. “We’ll talk about emerging trends and provide tips on how you can successfully ride the new wave of outdoor tourism, including case studies from those that have been there and done it.”

WITH LONGER OPENING TIMES this year, Holiday Park & Resort Innovation looks to be the best ever.

NEW ZONE
New for this year is ‘Great Taste of the Country’ a dedicated zone for independent food businesses which will feature live culinary demonstrations, providing an opportunity for businesses to showcase their products in action. The line-up includes popular food brands Hello Fresh, Devil’s Bridge Rum, and My Gyros.

Verity Hyland, Events Director for Agriconnect, said “As the UK tourism industry continues to thrive, many business owners are looking to invest in their businesses with new innovations and diversification options,” she said. “Holiday Park & Resort Innovation provides a unique platform to learn from a diverse range of experts, connect with like-minded rural entrepreneurs, and acquire actionable takeaways to enhance the profitability and sustainability of your business.”

With longer opening times this year from 9am to 5pm on day one and 9am to 4pm on day two, entry to Holiday Park & Resort Innovation, and the other three events, is free of charge.

HOLIDAY PARK & RESORT INNOVATION provides a unique platform to learn from a diverse range of specialist suppliers.

REGISTER FOR TICKETS HERE