online bookings

A DIGITAL UPGRADE

Posted on July 31, 2025

In today’s digitally driven world, guest expectations are evolving fast — and holiday parks, campsites, and glamping sites across the UK are rising to meet the challenge. From the initial booking to the end-of-stay farewell, the entire holiday experience is increasingly shaped by technology.

And for park owners and managers, embracing smart systems like online bookings and mobile guest apps isn’t just about keeping up — it’s about staying ahead. Whether you’re managing a family-friendly caravan park, a luxury glamping retreat, or a coastal touring site, digital tools have become essential for delivering the seamless, personalised service that modern travellers now expect.

Let’s take a closer look at how guest apps and online booking systems are transforming the industry — and how three companies are helping UK parks lead the charge.

FROM GLAMPING TO OWNERSHIP, CampManager’s Guest App supports every step of the guest journey.

YOUR PARK. YOUR BRAND. YOUR APP.
The team at CampManager understand that guests want convenience — and they want it on their phones. That’s why they’ve launched a powerful new Branded Guest App, tailored specifically for holiday parks, glamping sites, and touring parks. At its core, the app is about putting your brand in your guests’ pockets.

Available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play, the app features your colours, logo and messaging — giving you an identity that stays with your guests from booking to check-out, and even beyond. “It’s not just a tool, it’s an extension of your park’s experience,” says the CampManager team.

Guests can use the app to check-in digitally, explore site maps, access Wi-Fi codes, browse menus, and view local attractions or on-site events. For your team, that means fewer repetitive questions — and more time spent delivering great hospitality. But the functionality doesn’t stop there. The app becomes your central communication hub, with built-in messaging linked directly to CampManager’s system.

CUSTOM-BRANDED GUEST apps from CampManager keep your identity front and centre.

Whether a guest wants to ask about dog-friendly walks or amend a reservation, all messages are routed to the right team member and logged securely — no missed emails, no phone tag. From a revenue perspective, it’s also a powerful sales channel. Guests can book add-ons, pay balances, or rebook future stays at the tap of a screen.

App-exclusive offers, flash deals, and push notifications can drive repeat business, direct bookings, and seasonal occupancy boosts, all without relying on OTAs. For parks with holiday-home ownership, the app even acts as a digital showroom, showcasing your available stock and feeding warm leads straight into CampManager’s CRM.

And it’s not just for guests. Holiday-home owners can log in to request maintenance, gas refills or cleaning, with every task tracked in CampManager’s integrated Jobs & Tasks system. The result? A fully integrated, branded, end-to-end experience — for guests, owners, and teams alike.

SMART INTEGRATIONS from GemaPark help deliver modern, sustainable service.

GEMAPARK & PEMBREY’S SMART EVOLUTION
Down in Carmarthenshire, the award-winning Pembrey Country Park Family Caravan & Camping Park is showing just how impactful the right technology can be. Nestled in 500 acres of woodland and coastal beauty, Pembrey has long been a favourite with families seeking adventure and tranquillity.

A long-standing user of GemaPark, Pembrey recently elevated their guest experience with two digital upgrades: Pay-as-you-go electric pitches and a fully branded Guest App. Thanks to GemaPark’s integration with E-Pitch, guests can now pre-purchase electricity during the booking process and top-up from their phones or the hardware itself.

No queues, no meter readings, no lost credit — just seamless, real-time control that enhances convenience while supporting sustainability. As Mags Pullen, Commercial & Facilities Manager at Pembrey, explains: “The ability for guests to manage bookings, electric usage and activities in one place has greatly improved the experience. Our new app adds a personal touch while reducing our reliance on paper and physical resources.”

The app, developed in collaboration with Holidaymaker and fully integrated into GemaPark, gives guests instant access to all their booking details, payment history, activities, and now — even their electricity usage. It also allows for real-time notifications, updates on local events, and a completely paperless arrival and stay experience.

GemaPark’s forward-thinking, open API strategy means that these kinds of smart integrations are only becoming more common and more important. As Dawn Bee, Director of GemaPark, puts it: “We’re committed to connectivity. With our plug-and-play integrations, parks can pick the best tools for their needs and know it will all work together — simply and smoothly.”

AT PEMBREY COUNTRY PARK, guests top up electricity and manage bookings right from their phone.

DIRECT-TO-GUEST MARKETING
While the digital experience is evolving, the goal remains the same: great hospitality. As Allana Tigwell, Head of Marketing at Holidaymaker, points out: “Technology should enable, not replace. It frees up your team to spend more time with guests and less time on admin.”

Holidaymaker’s Direct-to-Guest (D2G) Marketing™ approach helps parks build a connected journey — starting from the moment a potential guest sees a lodge on social media. Through apps, screens and messaging tools, D2G keeps guests engaged throughout their holiday, delivering relevant content, reminders, and offers at just the right time.

Forward-thinking parks like Waterside Holiday Group and Freshwater Beach Holiday Park are showing what’s possible. From in-app AI chat, activity booking and real-time rebooking nudges, to on-site Seeview screens with local info, guests are kept in the loop, without needing to ask at reception. And importantly, this helps bring guests back into your ecosystem.

Instead of relying on OTAs or third-party platforms, branded apps and content help guests stay connected to your brand, long after they’ve left. Whether it’s reducing your carbon footprint with paperless check-ins, or encouraging in-stay upgrades with personalised offers, D2G tech turns one-time visitors into loyal fans.

HOLIDAYMAKER APPS, screens and AI chat helping guests stay informed, entertained and connected.

A SMARTER, MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
One of the most significant advantages of online bookings and apps is their contribution to sustainability and operational efficiency.

From reducing paperwork and streamlining check-in, to cutting down on power waste with smart metering, these tools support both environmental goals and bottom-line savings. More importantly, they support a more human experience. By automating repetitive admin tasks and enabling better communication, they free your team to do what they do best: create welcoming, memorable stays.

Today’s guests aren’t just booking beds, they’re booking experiences. And digital tools, when used right, make those experiences smoother, richer, and more connected.

D2G TOOLS KEEP GUESTS in the loop without pulling staff away from the front line.

YOUR PARK, EVOLVED
The future of holiday park management is not about replacing people with screens — it’s about supporting people with smart, flexible tools.

Whether you’re looking to:
• Reduce OTA commission and increase direct bookings
• Deliver five-star communication from pre-arrival to post-check-out
• Provide smarter on-site services with less manual admin
• Or just bring your brand to life in a guest’s pocket

...then CampManager, GemaPark and Holidaymaker have the technology and expertise to help you get there. As the UK staycation trend continues to grow, the parks that will stand out are those that blend modern tech with traditional hospitality, creating experiences that are personal, seamless and brilliantly memorable.

Ready to bring your park into the palm of your guests’ hands?
Explore these leading providers:

CampManager
www.campmanager.com

GemaPark
www.gemapark.co.uk

Holidaymaker App
www.holidaymakerapp.co.uk

BLUE SKY THINKING

Posted on September 7, 2020

BLUE SKY THINKING

The cloud holds the power for switched on holiday business...

If we have learned anything from the global pandemic crisis, and its impact on our holiday business, it is surely the importance of access to user-friendly, joined-up management systems. From on-line marketing to ‘click to confirm’ buttons, as the Covid-19 curtain was raised, a booking stampede was triggered with demand exceeding availability by an estimated three-fold. Switched-on operators now boast sophisticated monitoring systems to alert them to booking trends. The big players will know from geographic triggers which destinations are top of the holiday pops. Equally, from tourer pitches to luxury lodges, they will have a close eye on the trends for holiday accommodation requests. Like all aspects of business, knowledge is the key to success. Capitalising on the gold rush, those operators were quick to raise prices as demand spiralled. Constantly monitoring those graphs, with performance alerts, they are more akin to stock market traders than the traditional bucket and spade brigade. It’s more important than ever that park operators keep pace with technology – especially when it comes to maximising online bookings and sales.

USER-FRIENDLY

In today’s post Covid-19 market, sharp and effective websites with user-friendly online booking systems, search engine optimisation, e-blasts, apps and cookie-based promotion – the e-marketing revolution is in full flow with the majority of holiday businesses investing or ignoring at their peril. Net Guides are the brains behind one of the market’s most popular systems, GemaPark.

“Online bookings are so important in saving time and increasing revenue,” advises Netguides Managing Director, Dawn Bee. “In the new socially distanced world of today the system should provide online check-in, easy ways to keep in touch with customers if things change, and the ability for customers to manage their bookings and rebook if required,” Dawn adds. “Make sure they are easy for your customers, integrate well with your website, and give you the flexibility to sell what you want.”

Still not convinced? A huge proportion research their holidays on line before going on to click booking links to confirm their holidays. Google data shows that 45% of UK travellers feel comfortable researching, planning and booking trips to new destinations using only their mobile smart phone. More than a third, 33%, of consumers say they’ve used a virtual travel assistant to help organise and plan their next trip. 72% of mobile phone bookings happen within 48 hours of last-minute Google searches. Those booking systems cannot just be business-friendly they need to be user-friendly. For a visitor to the website, the online booking system should be straightforward and easy to use, and clearly provide the visitor with all the information they need to book their stay. It must be logical, with quality pictures and descriptions so that customers can make their preferred selection.

LOOKS MATTER

Having the booking page designed in the same style as the website and having the payment taken directly from the website page considerably helps this, and directly increases the number of online bookings made. Customers like to feel comfortable and secure as they navigate around the website booking pages. Equally, the system should be just as simple for the reservation team to use, making it easy for them to carry out tasks such as taking payment, amend bookings, calculate tariffs, generate ‘remote access’ arrival and departure reports and undertake online marketing initiatives. A key advantage of having a webbased booking system that operates off one platform, is that when an online booking is made it immediately goes into the management system, therefore avoiding mistakes and errors.

CASHING IN

Another area technology that has started to see major take up by caravan and holiday parks, arcades and family entertainment centres worldwide is the cashless payment system. The system replaces traditional methods of transaction like tokens, coins, and admission tickets with a simple card. Guests use the plastic card, similar to a credit card, to make all of their transactions on site. The cards can be loaded with any amount, and once swiped at an activity, the appropriate value is deducted. The card system goes well beyond a payment method, but includes a full suite of products designed to handle all the pay to play activities, as well as the monitoring of customers activity and games performance. Park operators benefit from the endless marketing and pricing opportunities that become available, while at the same time reduce operating costs and improve cash control. With all customers using cards for their activity within the site or across multiple sites of the same chain, operators have the opportunity to profile their customers and create marketing promotions and packages based on the real spending habits. This in turn can generate more return visits and higher spend during each visit. Ignorance may be bliss but it will be the switched-on holiday park businesses, who embrace new technology, that stand to reap the rewards and benefits of multiple net gains.

 

Browsing To Booking

Posted on March 19, 2018

Browsing To Booking

Examine your browse to booking system and remove any barriers. Pic. Potters Resort.

Examine your browse to booking system and remove any barriers. Pic. Potters Resort.

In today’s competitive market, holiday parks must to do everything they can to stand out from the crowd. It’s not enough just to have a website, for example – it has to be well designed, Google-friendly and optimised to drive bookings. An online brochure is so 2008. “A strong online presence is vital to success,” says Pitched Director Andrew Hampton. “It’s essential to have a website that stands out from the crowd; one that ranks well in Google for a park’s key search terms; and one that also offers a slick user experience for those browsing on a mobile phone – which is becoming ever more important.”

MIXED MESSAGES

“The aim is to get people from browsing to booking as quickly and easily as possible,” continues Andrew. “A website needs clear calls to action and a straightforward and simple booking process. Mixed messages and convoluted online booking steps are prohibitive to this – but are so often seen on holiday park websites. “Make the customer’s journey an easy one (especially on a mobile device) and you’ll see far less drop-off in the booking process.” “Don’t create any barriers to booking,” adds SuperControl’s Marketing Executive Jo Blaylock. “Be flexible with your start days and enable short breaks (even if that’s only at certain times during the year). Most people want to book and pay online, so let them, but make sure the booking and management software you choose is established, safe and secure.” Jo also stresses that it’s vital to add your prices as far in advance as possible. “If people are searching for their big holiday for 2019, they can’t book it if you haven’t entered your prices yet, so get them added. “The further away the start date, the higher you can put your prices because guests are less price sensitive when they are planning ahead.”

PRINT MATTERS

In addition to a hassle-free online experience, Andrew stresses that it’s also important not to forget the role of traditional printed material like brochures, mailers and postcards. “Sent out ahead of key booking periods, they still have a vital role to play. Where an email can be deleted, or a social media post ignored, a brochure will be picked up time and again. The key is to let your personality show through in your holiday park marketing.” Relationships are important in the holiday park business and your guests are one of your best resources. Stay in touch. Use their feedback to continuously improve, share photos and testimonials on your social media platforms, engage with them and encourage conversations. A happy guest can be your number one ambassador!

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Web Wise

Posted on September 1, 2017

Web Wise - Online Bookings

The sense that many potential customers are just looking, not booking is common. Web visitors often just want to get a picture of what’s available. At other times they’re unable to commit to plans until they’ve settled on exact dates with friends and family.

Whatever the reason, conversion rates in the travel industry are surprisingly low, and that’s why it is crucial for holiday park owners to get the booking process right. More people are using the web to shop around for holidays than ever before, and this WEb Wise 1means they’re only a swipe away from comparing prices with a competitor.

Research has shown that 37 per cent of consumers abandon travel purchases at the last minute because they want to do further research or find a cheaper price. But when margins in the industry are low, competing on price is difficult. Instead, holiday park owners should focus on delivering a streamlined shopping experience and a fuss-free checkout process. With so many holiday options on offer, it’s vital that potential customers don’t vanish at the finish line.

Choosing the most appropriate booking system requires park owners and managers to match their needs with the features of a product. But no two holiday parks are identical and it might seem difficult to find a system with all the necessary functions and flexibility. This is why CampManager, a leading Park Management Software provider, assists more than 300 campsites and caravan parks throughout the UK and Ireland with an online booking solution suited to the individual parks’ requirements.

“There are many different booking systems in the market, some of which have been adapted from hotel booking systems, which may not provide you with the pricing functionality that you require,” says Niall Norris of CampManager. “It’s important to select a booking system which is specifically designed to manage all your different pricing requirements – season dates, minimum stays and set arrival dates – and all your different rental accommodation and touring pitch characteristics.”

However, park owners should realise that the best solution may not come right out of a box. Sometimes choosing a booking system is more about modifying an existing offering to fit a park’s individual specifications. For Dafydd Lawrence, head of information systems at Bluestone National Park Resort, an award-winning retreat in the rolling Pembrokeshire countryside, it was important to create a bespoke solution that would fit with the park’s existing digital infrastructure. WEb Wise 2

“Having a web API in our main booking system allowed us to write our own online platform that talks directly to our booking system,” Lawrence explains. “Any system that makes you use an ‘off-the-shelf’ website or their own web booking engine can severely limit how much you can customise the experience for your guests.” The most obvious step to making booking on your site easy is to ensure that it works well on mobile devices.

To read more about getting 'Web Wise' please subscribe to Holiday Park Scene here.

COMPANY CONTACTS

CAMPMANAGER - Tel. 02081 331 005 -  www.campmanager.com
GEMAPARK -  Tel. 01983 282 420 - www.gemapark.co.uk
PITCHED - Tel. 01726 418 118 - www.pitched.co.uk

Net Gains

Posted on September 8, 2015

Net Gains

Almost 80 per cent of Brits now use the internet to research their holidays.

Almost 80 per cent of Brits now use the internet to research their holidays.

Revolutionising the way that we live, work, shop, and communicate, startling figures from the National Office of Statistics revealed that 38 million adults in the UK accessed the internet every day in 2014. What’s more, 74 per cent of people bought goods or services online, up from 53 per cent in 2008.

The tourism industry is continuing to evolve around technology, with increasing access to information and services available at the customers’ finger tips. Guests now expect to see clear and representative images of accommodation and resort facilities online before they book. They want to read reviews, share other people’s experiences of the resort so they can decide whether or not it meets with their needs. And they expect to be able to do all this online, using whatever device they choose, whether it’s a smartphone, tablet PC, handheld computer or laptop.

“Users are booking when it’s convenient for them,” says Dawn Bee of website and business system provider Netguides. “Younger users don’t want to talk to anyone to book, it’s just not familiar behaviour for them anymore so they feel uncomfortable doing it. This means you are missing out on a lot of customers if you don’t take online bookings.”

Niall Norris of management and booking software CampManager concurs: “The number of holiday parks and campsites taking bookings online has increased dramatically in recent years,”

“We can see similar trends from all our clients across the UK, Ireland and France, that the proportion of bookings being made online is now averaging between 50 to 75 per cent of all bookings.”

The number of holiday parks and campsites taking bookings online has increased dramatically in recent years. Pic: CampManager.

The number of holiday parks and campsites taking bookings online has increased dramatically in recent years. Pic: CampManager.

Keeping up-to-date with the latest technology by moving to a computerised booking and management system may seem daunting, but Niall stresses the importance of moving with the times: “The right booking and management system will actually save you money, generate more business and free up so much of your time.

“We recommend that all parks to update their online booking pages and websites to be Mobile and Tablet compatible. We see clear trends that over 50 per cent of online bookings are now being made on Tablet and Smartphone devices.” He adds: “To ensure that you are catering for these customers and not losing out on bookings, it is important to address this immediately.”

CampManager offers a complete end to end process for managing a caravan park or campsite. Covering all aspects of site management, booking management and online booking, the system is user-friendly and can be tailored to suit the individual needs of each park.

“It is important to remember that not all visitors to your website have stayed at your park before. Therefore it is hugely important that your website is maintained as much as the park,” advises Niall. “An old and tired looking website, with poor quality photos will not attract new customers. Also a poor booking system that takes a long time just to check availability and does not provide alternative dates will frustrate your customers and potentially drive them elsewhere.”

The biggest change to online bookings that Dawn Bee of Netguides has seen in recent years is the move to mobile responsive online booking. Dawn explains: “There has been a surge in the popularity of mobile responsive bookings following Google’s emphasis in their search algorithm for mobile search and the growing use of mobile devices to book online.”

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A Welcome Upgrade In Online Booking

Posted on November 4, 2014
welcome

The new Welcome Anywhere booking system allows holiday park owners to reclaim their park’s allocations, without high commissions charges.

A Welcome Upgrade In Online Booking

As a supplier, it’s not often that you attend to a trade show with an unfinished product. But that’s exactly what Welcome Computer Systems did at this year’s Lawns Show, armed with their work in progress product – Welcome Anywhere for holiday parks.

For over thirty years the company has built web-based computer systems and their latest online booking system is designed specifically for the holiday park sector.

Welcome sales director Mark Ellis, explains: “Our desire to enter a brand new sector brought us to the Lawns Show and presented us with an exciting opportunity to speak face-to-face with holiday park operators. We wanted to find out why other providers have seemingly struggled to make a significant mark in the industry and just what was expected from such a system.”

Due for release at the end of the year, the new Welcome Anywhere system allows holiday park owners to reclaim their park’s allocations and make the most of selling holidays directly to guests, therefore avoiding high commission charges and offering a fully-transparent booking service.

Mark adds: “While we have always specialised in booking software for hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs, we recognise that the parks industry is vastly under-served when it comes to online booking systems which can provide a tangible return on investment.

“Having recently become fully-accredited members of the BH&HPA, we’re relishing the opportunity to bring our hotel booking software experience into this vibrant and much-loved industry.”