SMARTER PARKS, HAPPIER GUESTS

AI IS BECOMING A VALUABLE business tool, supporting everything from booking management to customer service.

Why AI and mobile technology are becoming essential tools for holiday parks, caravan sites, campsites and glamping destinations...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and mobile apps are no longer futuristic concepts—they’re becoming essential business tools for holiday parks, caravan parks, camping and glamping sites across the UK. Whether it’s streamlining bookings, improving guest communication, or helping staff work more efficiently, technology is transforming the way parks operate while enhancing the guest experience.

Today’s holidaymakers expect convenience at every stage of their stay. From booking online and checking activity schedules to receiving instant updates during their holiday, digital technology has become part of everyday life.

At the same time, park operators face ongoing challenges including staffing pressures, rising operating costs and increasing customer expectations. AI and smart apps are helping bridge that gap.

Rather than replacing people, the best technology works alongside your team, removing repetitive tasks and allowing staff to focus on delivering outstanding customer service. From reception to maintenance, entertainment to marketing, digital tools are making parks more efficient while creating smoother guest journeys.

AI BEHIND THE SCENES
Many operators assume AI is all about chatbots or robots answering customer enquiries. In reality, some of the biggest benefits happen behind the scenes, improving systems that guests may never even notice but certainly appreciate.

Booking management, payment processing, channel management and automated workflows are all areas where AI is making a significant impact. Faster processes reduce manual administration, minimise errors and improve the overall efficiency of park operations.

AI IS CHANGING THE GAME — THE TRICK IS ADDING VALUE SAFELY
AI Is Changing the Game — The Trick Is Adding Value Safely Artificial intelligence is transforming holiday-park technology at pace, and it is genuinely exciting to watch. But for operators the real question is no longer whether to use AI — it is how to add value safely, with the end customer kept firmly in focus rather than chasing the technology for its own sake.

Some of the biggest gains happen out of sight. At GemaPark, AI already helps us build new features faster and resolve technical support queries more quickly. It also speeds up the way we connect to third-party providers — the behind-the-scenes plumbing that lets a booking system do far more for a park.

Recent additions show what that delivers in practice: Clover terminal payments, so guests can pay online, at reception or out on the park; a deeper Stripe integration that brings better payment terms; and full two-way synchronisation with Pitchup, so availability and bookings stay aligned across channels without double-handling.

Attention is increasingly turning to guest-facing systems, and that is where care matters most. New tools should be evaluated in your own environment, not adopted on trust. The goal is genuine end-to-end process support — not simply routing more tasks back to an already-stretched reception team.

TODAY’S HOLIDAYMAKERS EXPECT instant access to information—mobile apps help parks meet those expectations.

It pays to be honest about what AI can and cannot yet do, and to introduce it only where it removes workload rather than quietly adding to it. Search is changing too. Traditional SEO is giving way to AEO — answer engine optimisation — as AI-driven search returns direct answers rather than lists of links. One common response is to lean on the big online travel agents for visibility.

The catch is that you must play by each platform’s rules and remain exposed to their policy shifts — Google Hotels, for example, requires accommodation to have a roof, so is useful for statics and pods, but not for touring pitches. The sensible hedge is a full-functionality PMS that gives you your own online booking engine alongside broad, flexible integrations.

Data security is another aspect of safety, and reputable providers adopt strong measures to ensure cybersecurity is taken seriously and that guest and payment information stays protected. GemaPark follows security best practice and connects to a wide range of OTAs, including through Wubook, so no single platform’s rule change can strand you.

AI will only do more from here, and it is changing fast. The parks that benefit most will be those that adopt it deliberately, keep the end customer at the centre, and use it where it genuinely helps. That is the approach we are committed to: harnessing AI where it adds real value — safely.

A BRANDED MOBILE APP puts essential park
information, entertainment schedules and local
attractions at guests’ fingertips.

APPS PUT INFORMATION IN EVERY GUEST’S POCKET
While AI often works in the background, guest apps are highly visible and increasingly expected. A well-designed park app acts as a digital concierge, giving visitors instant access to everything they need throughout their stay.

Rather than queuing at reception to ask when the pool opens, where tonight’s entertainment is taking place or what time the restaurant serves breakfast, guests can simply open an app. This not only improves convenience but also significantly reduces repetitive enquiries, freeing staff to spend more time providing personal service.

App My Community helps UK holiday parks deliver a better guest experience while making day-to-day communication easier for park operators. Your fully branded mobile app becomes the central hub for everything your guests need before, during, and after their stay.

Guests can quickly view entertainment schedules, activities, events, opening times, interactive park maps, food and beverage menus, local attractions, and important park information—all from their mobile phone. Instant push notifications allow your team to communicate weather updates, activity changes, emergency information, special offers, and last-minute announcements in seconds.

GEMAPARK IS HARNESSING AI to help holiday parks streamline operations, improve bookings and deliver better guest experiences.

By providing guests with easy access to information, your reception team spends less time answering repetitive questions and more time delivering exceptional customer service. The app also helps guests discover more of what your park has to offer, increasing participation in activities, promoting on-site facilities, and enhancing the overall holiday experience.

Every app is custom-branded with your park’s logo, colours, and content, creating a professional digital experience that reflects your brand. Features can include event calendars, interactive GPS maps, digital forms, maintenance requests, staff resources, in-app purchases, loyalty programmes, QR code integration, and local business promotions.

Whether you operate a single holiday park or manage multiple locations, App My Community provides an easy-to-manage communication platform through an intuitive online administration portal. Updates can be published instantly without requiring guests to download a new version of the app. Today’s holidaymakers expect convenient access to information from their mobile devices.

App My Community helps UK holiday parks meet those expectations while improving guest satisfaction, streamlining operations, and strengthening communication across every stage of the guest journey. From arrival to departure, your guests have everything they need in one convenient place, helping create memorable stays that encourage repeat visits and positive reviews.

ECHNOLOGY CONTINUES TO RESHAPE the holiday park sector, helping businesses work smarter while enhancing customer satisfaction.

LOOKING AHEAD
Technology will continue to evolve rapidly, but the most successful holiday parks won’t necessarily be those with the newest gadgets—they’ll be the ones that adopt technology with a clear purpose. AI and mobile apps are proving their worth by reducing workloads, improving communication and delivering better guest experiences without losing the personal touch that makes holiday parks so popular.

For operators considering their next investment, the focus should remain on practical solutions that improve efficiency while supporting staff and delighting guests. Used thoughtfully, AI and apps are becoming valuable partners in creating smarter operations, happier teams and memorable holidays.

GemaPark
www.gemapark.co.uk

App My Community
www.appmycommunity.com

THE PERFECT ESCAPE FOR YOUR HOLIDAY PARK

THE PERFECT ESCAPE FOR YOUR HOLIDAY PARK

Enhance your holiday park with a luxury fibreglass pool or premium hot tub from My Pool Direct.

Designed to add relaxation, value and unforgettable guest experiences, our compact fibreglass pools and high-quality hot tubs are ideal for holiday parks of all sizes.

As a UK-owned and operated company, we offer fast delivery, expert advice and reliable after-sales support to help you create the perfect leisure space.

MY Pool Direct
01268 710 425
https://b2b.mypooldirect.com

WATERPLAY THAT PAYS

SPLASH PADS, pools and waterslides from Ustigate Waterplay keep guests engaged, extending stays and boosting on-site spending.

Transform pools and splash pads into revenue-generating, family-focused experiences...

In today’s competitive UK holiday park market, waterplay is no longer just an amenity—it’s a revenue and engagement engine. Families increasingly seek immersive, inclusive, and weather-flexible experiences that entertain all generations.

Splash pads, tipping buckets, waterslides, and multi-level play structures aren’t just fun—they influence bookings, extend stays, and boost on-site spending. Children often lead the way in holiday decisions, letting parents know that a pool, splash pad, or waterslide can make or break the choice.

Waterplay encourages multi-generational interaction, screen-free fun, and memorable shared experiences. Inclusive designs, such as zero-depth splash pads, allow toddlers, grandparents, and everyone in between to join safely. Outdoor attractions thrive in sunny weather, while indoor facilities ensure year-round engagement, keeping guests active regardless of rain, wind, or cold.

Interactive water attractions also drive revenue. Guests spend more time on-site, returning for multiple sessions, which naturally increases secondary spend on food, drinks, and retail. Parks offering attractions for all ages maximise dwell time while creating communal fun that keeps families engaged throughout their stay.

FAMILIES MAKING MEMORIES on a zero-depth splash pad, where multi-generational fun brings everyone together at a UK holiday park.

Ustigate Waterplay delivers turnkey aquatic solutions that elevate the guest experience. Their Vortex Splashpad® collections, Elevations™ multi-level structures, waterslides, WaveSurfer, NinjaCross, and Vectory™ range provide thrills for everyone. The Safeswap™ system allows operators to refresh splash pads quickly, keeping attractions new and exciting at minimal cost.

Zero-depth designs reduce lifeguard requirements while providing rich sensory play, and partnerships with Vortex International and wiegand. waterrides ensure high-quality, durable products. Waterplay also creates opportunities for creativity and competition. NinjaCross courses, inflatable challenges, swimming lessons, and aqua aerobics foster engagement and unlock additional revenue streams.

Multi-generational play products like Vectory™ encourage grandparents, parents, and children to splash. For operators, the benefits of waterplay are clear: it drives footfall, increases dwell time, differentiates parks in a crowded market, and encourages repeat visits.

Ustigate Waterplay supports operators at every stage, providing full design, build, and maintenance services to ensure attractions are safe, inclusive, and designed to delight. In short, waterplay isn’t just fun—it’s a strategic asset. For holiday parks, it boosts revenue, engages guests, and transforms pools into profit-driving, family-focused destinations. Investing in high-quality waterplay ensures memorable experiences that keep families returning year after year.

Ustigate Waterplay
01322 424445
www.ustigatewaterplay.co.uk

HOLIDAY PARKS URGED TO ENTER 2026 UK POOL & SPA AWARDS

Holiday Parks, Caravan Parks & Hospitality Sites with swimming pools, spas, or wellness facilities are being encouraged to enter the 2026 UK Pool & Spa Awards, following a spectacular showcase of innovation at this year’s event.

The 15th edition of the awards, hosted by water leisure specialists Waterland Media, saw 250 entries from 75 companies, celebrating excellence in pool, spa, hot tub, and wellness design. Categories ranged from One-Piece Pool Project of the Year to Swim Spa Project of the Year, Energy Efficient/Eco Award, and Health & Wellness Project of the Year.

“The industry continues to raise the bar every year, with customer experience and wellbeing at the heart of design and innovation,” said Christina Connor, Managing Director of Waterland Media, publishers of Pool & Spa SCENE magazine. “We champion the companies, individuals, and products that are shaping the sector and inspiring a new era of home and commercial leisure facilities.”

This year’s awards highlighted the growing demand for wellness features that combine fitness, leisure, and family enjoyment. Popular trends include compact swim spas, quick-build one-piece pools, smart swim jet technology, and eco-efficient installations, alongside saunas and fire-and-ice wellness experiences.

Among the winners, Kelling Health Holiday Park in Norfolk, designed by Newson Pools, took home the prestigious Holiday Park Pool of the Year award, showcasing a combination of innovative design, energy efficiency, and guest-focused features. Other top performers included Buckingham Pools, Essex’s Aquascapes, Surrey’s Tanby Swimming Pools, and Northern Ireland’s Starview Hot Tubs & Outdoor Living.

For holiday parks, an award-winning pool or spa is more than a facility – it’s a key differentiator, enhancing guest satisfaction, increasing bookings, and supporting premium rates. Parks with pools, spas, or wellness suites are encouraged to enter the 2026 UK Pool & Spa Awards to gain recognition for high standards, design excellence, and operational innovation.

Full details and entry information are available at www.ukpoolandspaawards.co.uk

FROM SWIM SPAS TO LUXURY POOLS, recognition at the UK Pool & Spa Awards highlights the facilities that elevate guest experiences and boost bookings

CELEBRATIONS FOR FAMILY’S FIFE HOLIDAY PARK

Above: THOMAS AND MAGDALENE WALLACE with their sons Alan and Tommy with their impressive celebration cake.

Forty years of providing first-class holiday experiences in Scotland were celebrated in July by members of the Wallace family, owners of Pettycur Bay Holiday Park in Kinghorn, Fife. Thomas and Magdalene Wallace with their sons Alan and Tommy together acquired the 47-acre site - with its sweeping views across the Firth of Forth - in 1984.

Since then, the family has invested much time and energy into creating a highly acclaimed park destination providing a host of top-quality visitor attractions. Their reward has been to see year-on-year increases in visitor numbers to the park’s 600 privately owned and rented holiday caravans, plus many regional and national tourism awards.

The park also includes the four-star Bay Hotel, and all guests have use of facilities such as a modern leisure centre with pool and sauna, restaurant, and extensive children’s activities. Pettycur Bay has also become very well known to viewers of BBC Scotland which for three years has made the park the star of its observational documentary “Life on the Bay”.

The popular series captures the spirit of happy holiday life at the resort from the perspectives of everyone involved, including the Wallace family and their staff and guests. The park’s anniversary year will see further new facilities and attractions introduced, including the development of eleven luxury holiday apartments in its grounds.

Pettycur Bay Holiday Park
www.pettycur.co.uk

AN INSTANT NEW ATTRACTION

AN INSTANT NEW ATTRACTION

BATTERY RIDES can be operating and taking money within a few hours of reaching a holiday park site.

Battery-operated rides are long-term generators of all-year-round income for holiday park destinations. Crucially, battery rides can be operating and taking money, on any hard and level surface, or pool in the case of bumper boats and family day boats, within a few hours of the rides and their long-life batteries being delivered, fully charged, to site.

Top of the 2023 popular attractions for holiday destinations are bumper cars, bumper boats, disco bikes, driving schools and ‘Big Car’ adventures, advise World Of Rides. These chart-topping choices all come with high-income credentials and with versions of customer-friendly ‘pay-to-play’ systems.

Offering zero emissions, ‘parent and child’ battery-operated rides can also be easily and safely operated either indoors or outdoors as the weather and seasonal demands dictate and can be easily transported between grounds. “Can I just say a very big thank you to all our early-bird and forward-thinking customers for their early confirmed orders as it saves any last-minute panics and the disappointment of a late delivery,” said World Of Rides’ Sales Manager Andrew Robinson.

Forward ordering is everything this year, due to supply chain problems world-wide, and the rides are also much cheaper to buy, as further price increases this year are almost certain. All World of Rides battery-operated rides are proudly supplied with full UK BACTA-HSE-ADIPS safety documentation that is now an essential requirement of BACTA membership.

World of Rides
Tel: 0191 49 20 999
www.worldofrides.com