Running a holiday park is a rewarding yet difficult experience. There are so many different aspects to consider in order to make sure everything is running as smoothly as possible, but often things can start to slide. So how do you recognise where you’re going wrong? And more importantly, how do you fix it? Here are five important rules you should be following.
Consider the customer
The most important thing in running a holiday park is customer satisfaction. If your customers aren’t satisfied, they won’t come back. There’s truth to the phrase ‘you never get a second chance to make a first impression’, and that’s something you should consider with every person who walks through your door. Be attentive, courteous and listen to the guest. Think about how you can make their stay better, easier and more fun, from the obvious things like making sure they have hot, running water to more personal touches like providing them with sausages for a barbecue.
Be aware of seasonal highs and lows
The accommodation industry is hugely seasonal. The summer seasons can keep us run off our feet, while the colder months might have us twiddling our thumbs. By ironing out the troughs, you give your holiday park a better chance of being successful all year round. This can be done by understanding your guests, so you know when you’ll hit a low and are better able to prepare for it, holding promotions during those slow periods to entice more customers, and maintaining a balance between seasonal staff members and year-long staff.
Take time for yourself
The holiday park industry can be frantic and full on. It’s important to take time out for yourself in order to recharge your batteries. Fatigue can strike anyone, and if you or anyone around you recognise that you’re beginning to tire, you should listen to them. You can’t be an effective owner without first taking care of yourself, and if you’re fatigued, it will slowly but surely begin to show in your holiday park.
It takes a village…
Work with the other businesses in your town. Boost revenue all around by directing your guests to the local coffee shops, bakeries, pubs and restaurants, and have them do the same for you. This can help maintain each business during the quiet months, and lessen the strain during peak seasons.
Communication is key
Working in the guest service industry means you need to be communicating with everyone all the time. Keep your finger on the pulse with everyone from staff members to suppliers. Make sure your guests know they can approach you with any problems or issues they might be having, and be genuinely concerned if they’re not having a great time. In the tourism industry, your guests are your livelihood, so if they’re not having fun, you won’t be either.
There’s always going to be something to stress about when you’re running a holiday park, and it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. But no matter how bad you think things are, by remaining calm and level-headed, you can overcome any obstacles you come across.