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I read a great article in Highway Magazine about how Rvers can set up their own clubs and groups. The article was all about choosing the right folks and planning trips, etc. Because the groups wish to stay together in the parks and resorts they visit, they book well in advance. What caught my attention was this: One of the groups said that if the park will not put their group together as in side by side, they take their business elsewhere! Ouch!
Of course, last minute bookings would be tough for any park to keep a group together, but not months in advance. I'm sure most parks would like to increase their bookings by encouraging all groups to stay with them with two goals in mind, money for now and money for later. Chances are these members also belong to other groups and go to RV conventions as well as travel on their own. When they meet others on the road, you want them to tell these future prospects all about the great time they had at your park.
Groups are usually well behaved, and generally the kind of folks you're probably after. To market towards these groups, you might try some of these tips:
Create a tab or page on your website that shows any group what you have to offer: a meeting area, sites together, attractions, festivals, breakfast, catering, entertainment, etc.
Offer a discount to groups with 10 or more.
Encourage advanced registration. Most groups can send the details to you by email.
Offer coupons to all their members for a future non-group stay.
For larger groups, offer a DJ for a dance, or discounts on tours
When you advertise, or send mail-outs and email promotions, always include information about your group services. When a group visits, ask them about what they liked about other parks that cater to groups. There is a lot to learn about this potential new market for your resort. Please send us your tips on working with groups.
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In the past few months RV Break-ins On The Rise, there have been a rash of burglaries involving RV units. The thieves are stealing mostly electronics: televisions, stereos, DVD & VHS players, satellite receivers and controllers, microwaves, and anything valuable. They are often hitting up to seven units parked next to each other.
It used to be if you didn’t have a pool, guests might just pass you by. Or no laundry and they looked elsewhere. However, in 2009 the number one requested amenity is Wi-Fi, because everyone wants to be able to check their email from family and friends, and update the same with their travel news. They also want to research destinations, purchase tickets, confirm directions, and check travel weather.
It’s the digital revolution and now small digital cameras are inexpensive and great way to keep plenty of photos in your files for updating your web site, brochures and rack cards, and other advertising venues. Nothing sells a park better than great photos. I once arrived to work on a site map for a busy park with a long list of events scheduled for the year. I was impressed. When I asked for photos of some of last year’s events, they could hardly find a single picture. Ouch!
There’s a trend in the RV world for older campgrounds to change their name to RV Resort. That’s probably a smart marketing tool for many reasons: shorter name, and it implies the park can handle Big Rigs, large 5th wheels, down to small units and perhaps even tents. Resort also implies you have amenities that would make your park a destination to stay a week or more, and feel fully entertained. The guests would expect a pool, laundry, excellent bathhouse facilities, events, and more.
Are you working on a new brochure, rack card, or website, and wished you had some new comments from recent customers? Did you ever wonder what your customers think of your park? Staff? Bathhouse? Campsite? Pool? Entrance? Park Roads? Of course you have, but usually the first ones you ‘hear’ about are in the form of a complaint…sometimes loudly.