Campground Business InSites ←

What makes a park model a park model?

May

2013

As parks across the northern tier of the US and Canada gear up for a strong summer season, here are a couple of thoughts that I’ve had recently on the ever-increasing interest in rental units in parks. It’s hard to escape the apparent enthusiasm that seems to be enveloping the park industry over the addition ...

Two annual RV industry events you don’t want to miss

Apr

2013

It’s pretty common knowledge that February and March are really busy months for the park industry no matter where you might be. In the sunbelt, it’s the height of the winter season where parks are going full blast and hopefully full occupancy. In the northern tier of the country, parks are busy with booths at ...

Best Parks in America Breaks New Ground with New Majority Investor

Mar

2013

First, in the spirit of full disclosure, I created Best Parks in America in 2003 and have owned the intellectual property, the brand and the program since that time. In 2013, Best Parks is breaking new ground. As announced on Feb. 4, I’ve basically sold Best Parks to long time park owner, real estate investor ...

One Campground in Northern California May Go to Pot – Here’s How

Jan

2013

Happy New Year to all and best wishes for a great 2013. If the country’s not gone off the cliff by the time you read this, there may still be hope for an economically strong year. I’m looking forward to sharing some things that I come across from time to time in my travels around ...

State parks, fuel economy and other issues for the RV industry

Dec

2012

As 2012 winds down and the winter holidays approach, I want to wish all of the park industry people a very Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and a wonderfully happy New Year. It’s been a tough year in many places and a very good year in others – the one thing that is consistent in most ...

Who says campground management isn’t fun?

Nov

2012

In case you missed this, a British company has introduced a new computer game called Camping Manager 2012. According to a recent release, the game provides the opportunity to build and manage your own vacation paradise. Keep your guests happy and you could earn a fortune! Choose your camp site and begin with the construction of ...

Surcharge Trends and Low-Cost Camping

Nov

2012

A recent hospitality industry newsletter announced that “Hotels on track to take in nearly $2 billion in surcharges.” Surcharges = ancillary income in hotel speak. And I thought campground owners were good at developing ancillary income. From the consumer point of view, the bad news is that the ancillary service fees continue to rise, increasing ...

Chinese Investment in US Parks

Oct

2012

During August, the park trade media carried two articles about two companies attending a camping and RVing show in China. Bow Stern, a marketing communications company based in Tallahassee, FL, and the Kidd Group, also coincidentally in Tallahassee, both made presentations about the US RV park industry at what appears to be the same RV ...

New RVIA Destination Camping Committee Takes Shape

Oct

2012

As a long time member of the Recreational Vehical Industry Association (RVIA), I was pleased to sit in on the first meeting of RVIA’s Destination Camping Committee. Following the meeting, I volunteered to serve on the committee and I’m pleased about being accepted as member of new, joining KOA’s Mike Atkinson who was the sole ...

Shifts in the School Start Date Debate

Oct

2012

Over the years, whenever the discussion of pre-Labor Day school openings came up, the response of the park industry and others in the tourism business who were opposed to these mid-August openings was that when there are educational benefits to summer openings, the tourism and attractions industry would have to reconsider its opposition. Now what ...