Make the most of the 2025 season – promote an advertise early bookings now

As the busy peak season draws to a close, many campsites take it easy in October. Now is the time for entrepreneurs and their teams to take a deep breath and enjoy their own vacation. And it’s time to look ahead to the 2025 season…

If you generate bookings and reservations now, you gain planning security – and retain loyal regular guests who want to secure their preferred pitch for 2025 in good time. Some campsites even receive (advance) payments for the next season thanks to early bookings.

Optimize rental accommodation and longer stays

For campsites where short, spontaneous bookings dominate, early booking campaigns are hardly an option. But if pitches are booked for one or two weeks or longer, early bookings can be a success factor. Early booking campaigns are also effective for rental accommodation in which a lot has been invested. This optimizes occupancy, cash flow and profitability.

Many campsites with rental accommodation and professional mobile home rental companies are therefore already launching early booking campaigns. The campaigns are usually a combination of various activities that the companies tailor precisely to their needs.

The entire marketing mix should be used to convince guests to book their desired vacation early. The early booking benefits are highlighted on the campsite website, on booking portals (also activate your early booking offers here), in brochures, social media or (for regular guests) in emails.

It is always clearly communicated by when the early booking must be made for the benefits offered to apply. This increases guest motivation.

Frequently used: Early booking discounts

Discount scales are a good way to make early booking offers stand out and to control occupancy: Early booking discounts of 20% or more are often granted on low-booked low-season periods, and 5% or 10% on mid-season periods. The high season is rarely discounted because it usually “sells” without a discount.

Campsites that are reluctant to communicate percentages offer “book 7 days, pay only 5” or similar for the low season, or create special early booking price lists.

Guests want to get a really attractive price if they book early. The normal price that applies after the early booking period should not be lower than the early booking price. Otherwise the early booking guest could be annoyed.

Some large camping parks work with dynamic pricing

Prices vary depending on current demand and availability. This is usually done with software support. With dynamic pricing, there are no fixed periods in which certain prices apply. Some campsites communicate that the flexible pricing system can lead to low prices if you book early.

Prices are not everything – which also encourages early bookings

– Cancellation free of charge:
Many entice early bookers with the fact that they can cancel for free until December 31, 2024 or January 31, 2025. Holidaymakers can secure their desired place early without risk. January 31 is particularly attractive for guests whose employers do not approve their summer vacation until January.

– Change free of charge:
With some providers, guests can change early bookings free of charge until February or March. Another idea that individual campsites are implementing is a “carefree offer”: guests can secure the right to more flexible conditions for an additional charge: they can cancel or change their booking shortly before arrival at no cost.

Process early bookings effectively and in a guest-oriented manner

The downside of many a successful early booking campaign is that the reception desk, which is already understaffed in the fall and winter, is overloaded by many booking requests. Therefore, what is advantageous for all bookings is particularly true for early bookings – online bookability relieves the team.

In addition, more and more guests expect to be able to view availability and prices on the web and book online. More about simple, secure online bookings here.