Digitization on the campsite: The possibilities and advantages of WiFi

Digitization as an opportunity for guests and operators

Digitization has fundamentally changed our everyday lives - comparable to the upheavals of industrialization. What used to be the change from a small craft business to a factory is now the step from an analog to a digital company.

A step that will also be crucial for the long-term survival of many campsites. But digitization also holds many opportunities. What WiFi brings to the campsite and how you can profit from the advantages of digitalization, we show in the following.

WiFi on campsites - Changing demands of new and first-time campers.

Digitalization does not stop at the camping industry. However, the boom in the camping industry in recent years in particular has resulted in a change in the digital usage behavior of camping guests.

In the last ten years, the number of overnight stays at campsites has risen from just under 25 million in 2011 to more than 35 million in 2019. The fact that camping is a trend is also shown by a look at the number of motorhomes in Germany, which has increased by more than 50% since 2015. The Corona pandemic has also contributed to this development, as new registrations of motorhomes in May 2020 were up 29% on the same month last year.

Many new campers, who may have previously preferred other forms of vacation, are now increasingly looking for contact with nature and the simplicity of camping. Compared to other forms of vacation, the increased safety aspect of traveling in one's own motor home also promotes the trend and a camping trip is now the first choice for many people for the longed-for annual vacation.

Since the new customers increasingly include new campers who are taking their first camping trip, the demand for digital equipment and WiFi at campsites is also changing. In the following, we will take a closer look at the advantages of digitalization for guests and operators.

WiFi for campsites - advantages of digitization

In summer 2020, during the Corona pandemic, the massive increase in requests for reservations led to problems in many places. Many campsite operators were not prepared for the enormous rush and lacked suitable software or the necessary digitization to manage the bookings according to the requirements of the authorities.

Pitch bookings that can only be made by phone or email are outdated and present a hurdle for potential guests who are used to smooth online bookings from hotel and vacation portals. An analog booking system also poses growing challenges for campsite operators as the number of guests increases, as it can lead to overlapping bookings, overbooking, chaos with cancellations or subsequent changes.

Suitable software that records bookings, changes and cancellations not only facilitates the work and process at the reception, but can also handle the digital check-in of guests and support them at the campsite. However, such a system requires a well-developed WiFi network at the campsite.

The digitization and expansion of the WiFi infrastructure at campsites is not only a cost factor, but also represents a promising undertaking.

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Improved customer service and guest satisfaction thanks to WiFi at campsites

Digital usage habits have changed dramatically in recent years, and even on vacation people are used to being online via smartphone, tablet or with a laptop.

The demand for good network connections comes not only from children and young people who put pressure on their families, but also older guests now demand a fast WiFi connection at campsites. If the campsite cannot offer this, it leads to dissatisfaction among guests, which can also be reflected in ratings on the respective evaluation portals.

A fast WiFi at campsites, on the other hand, ensures customer satisfaction and also offers opportunities for improved service. For example, a digital guest service is possible that provides customers with information such as site plans, events, bread assortment, and much more via an internal platform.

5 digital tools for improved customer service for guests and campsite operators

• Smart barrier system that recognizes the registered license plate of the vehicle. Cumbersome plastic cards are no longer needed, cannot be lost, do not require replacement, and save guests the hassle of entering and leaving and operators time-consuming card handling.
• Digital check-in slip for guests. This reduces the time needed for check-in at the reception and avoids long queues at peak times.
• Convenient bread roll ordering via smartphone. Guests can conveniently book their rolls via smartphone, while campsite operators reduce the amount of paperwork and the sometimes confusing paper management.
• Digital information screens for guests. Popular information about weather, events and what's new at the campsite can be presented as a digital display at wash houses or the reception. This not only saves paper, waste and printing costs, but also protects the environment.
• Integration of feedback and evaluation systems for the guests. Suggestions for improvement from guests can be sent directly to the operator, who can refer to them. Rating portals can also be integrated so that the guest is encouraged to leave a rating.

Improved marketing and re-booking thanks to digitalization at campsites

Digitization as well as the provision of WiFi at campsites enable operators to additionally engage in targeted and cost-effective marketing. For example, campsite operators can send newsletters to customers from previous years with prior permission to inform them about innovations at the campsite, invite them to visit again, or offer them regular customer or early booking discounts. Targeted marketing to existing customers proves to be both cost-effective and promising, as satisfied guests can easily be reminded of the possibility of a repeat booking in the new season.

Fast and stable WiFi on the campsite is the basis for all digital solutions, modern marketing and satisfied guests.