Running a caravan or holiday park is a non-stop job. Between 6:00 AM plumbing emergencies, front-desk queues out the door, housekeeping rosters, and explaining for the third time where the camp kitchen is… you’re flat out.
Then, right in the middle of sweeping the BBQ area or restocking the amenities block, someone asks: “Did anyone post on Facebook about the long weekend?”
Cue the heavy sigh.
The daily realities of running an independent park are tough. Energy bills and council rates keep climbing, supplier costs eat into margins, and guests expect instant answers. When the shoulder season hits and quiet weeks loom, the reality sets in: you need bookings coming through the door, but you simply don’t have the hours to market the business properly.
The Reactive Cycle
In most parks, marketing follows the same pattern: it happens when bookings drop, not before.
A quiet week hits, so a Meta ad gets rushed out. Social media gets updated in a burst of energy, then goes quiet again for months. The Google Business Profile hasn’t been touched since last season. None of it is tracked closely enough to know what’s actually bringing guests through the gate.
By the time you’re posting a last-minute deal, you’ve already missed the shoulder-season guests who book 6–8 weeks out.
This usually leads to the same outcome: inconsistent posts, empty cabins in quiet months, and marketing money going down the drain.
The good news is that breaking the cycle doesn’t need a full marketing overhaul or a big budget. A handful of small, consistent habits — done well and done regularly — make the biggest difference. Here’s where to start.
Quick Digital Marketing Tips
Google Business Profile: Don’t “set and forget.” Update peak hours, post fresh weekly photos via the Google Maps app, and reply to all reviews within 48 hours.
Website & SEO: Turn your front-desk FAQs (e.g., “Are you pet-friendly?”) into a dedicated website FAQ page. Google loves answering direct search queries.
Email Marketing: Stop blasting generic newsletters. Send a “School Holiday Guide” to cabin guests and “Off-Peak Specials” to your grey nomads.
Social Media: Create an “Instagram-worthy” photo spot in your park with your handle and hashtag clearly displayed. Let your guests do the marketing for you.
Local Partnerships: Swap perks with nearby pubs, cafes, or tour operators. Cross-promote to amplify your reach without adding to your ad spend.
Direct Bookings: Every guest who books through Booking.com or Airbnb costs you commission. Add a simple “Book Direct” perk — a discount, late checkout, or bottle of wine — and mention it in every email and confirmation.
Video & Drone Content: A 20-second video walkthrough or drone shot of the park outperforms static photos on socials and reassures nomads deciding between parks online. You don’t need a videographer — a phone and a $150 drone will do it.
You started running a park because you enjoy hospitality, community, and the outdoors — not to spend your evenings figuring out ad targeting and website keywords.
Handing off your marketing isn’t taking a shortcut; it’s just good business.
Would you like some professional advice to customise your marketing?
Contact us to book your Digital Marketing Snapshot.
