In this episode of MC Fireside Chats, outdoor hospitality experts discussed various trends and provided insights regarding the sector. 

In terms of how the season went, Casey Cochran, Vice President of Business Development at Campspot Software, said that for the overall numbers, from the reservation standpoint, they had seen less reservation and occupancy compared to 2021.

Cochran, however, noted that from a revenue standpoint, the season saw a success. 

People are willing to spend for an experience. This is what Randy Hendrickson, Founder & CEO of The Intrepid Group, said. He also discussed the difference between experiential hospitality versus traditional hospitality. Hendrickson emphasized that people are spending for experience and that the industry is more than just a place to stay. 

“It’s not just about the place to stay. It’s a whole lot more than just where to go. It’s about what you can do over and above,” Hendrickson said. 

Scott Foos, CEO & Owner of Horizon Outdoor Hospitality, highlighted that the sector had higher aspirations in 2022 than what came to be. Foos added that in order to sustain the new folks coming into the market, parks and campgrounds should allocate some operating expenses to more experience-driven amenities that will give additional value to people’s stays.

Foos gave tips on how park owners and operators can utilize the community in bringing a better guest experience, including finding a local event calendar and creating Facebook events. He also added that partnering and locating local event hosts and investing in experiences go a long way in sustaining mom-and-pop campgrounds. 

Mark Koep, Founder & CEO of CampgroundViews.com, added that post-COVID travelers travel differently and noted that markets change, so while some might prefer a traditional outdoor hospitality experience, some might want a different experience. 

“The reality is markets change,” Koep said.

RV Industry Consultant Sandy Ellingson said a significant number of parks are still not utilizing technology. She added that parks should use technology that works for them, target what their park appeals to and figure out what’s closer to them.