If you are searching for campgrounds for sale or a new RV park owner, the timing has never been better. The North American Camping Report indicates that the number of first-time campers increased five-fold in 2020. Over 10 million households camped for the first time, with 61% indicating that they are open to continuing camping. Additionally, more than 51% of campers say that they are now more likely to purchase an RV.
While there is plenty of economic potential, the purchase of campgrounds for sale does come with its share of operational headaches. You may need to have your staff and amenities ready to accommodate your new clients under new management.
Here are five tips to help you successfully run your new campground business.
1. Assemble the Right Team
The backbone of the ultimate camper’s experience will hinge on the services provided at your RV park. It can be easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you can manage everything alone. You may need to take time and build the right team of staff to help you address issues around the campground. A portion of the employees may have to work seasonally, helping during peak seasons. Integrating technology into your booking process can help manage your labor expenses.
2. Market to the Right Audience
You may need to reach out to the right group of campers for your new RV park. You may need to assess the behavior and preferences of most of your campers. Did you purchase a family campground? Does the RV park cater to seasonal, long-term, or overnight clients? 50% of campers travel less than 100 miles from home to their campsite. As such, it is advisable to focus on localized marketing. Investing in a campground franchise can see your marketing handled for you by the parent franchisor on a national scale.
3. Upgrade to the Desired Amenities
The modern campground has long ditched the “campfire model.” You may need to spruce up the new campgrounds for sale to meet the desires of the modern camper. 97% of campers now bring some form of technology to the campsite. Wi-Fi connectivity ranks among the top three amenities that campers check while booking an RV park. You may need to work on your cabins, the shops, spruce up the park to match resort-like amenities.
4. Interact with Your Campers
The best way to know the improvement to make around your RV park is to interact with your clients. Depending on the size of the campgrounds for sale, it may not be feasible to walk around each spot each day. However, taking a routine drive or walk around the campground may provide you with a chance to connect with seasonal guests and learn what you may need to work on.
5. Manage Visitor Expectations
A major issue for most campers is that the RV park doesn’t turn out to be as they hoped. You may need to set your client’s expectations right. Manage your advertisement, invent quality photography, and set up a well-designed website.
Purchasing a campground is an excellent real estate investing decision. You may need to lay the correct foundation to set you up for success. If you are searching for campgrounds for sale, reach out to Leisure Systems Inc. today to invest in one of our family franchises.