Do you own or manage a campsite? Then this may sound familiar: in high season there is often not a free millimetre left on your campsite, but in low season it's all so quiet. From our own research, Campercontact knows that the occupancy rate is then around 27% on average. Fortunately, there are ways to attract more visitors and increase occupancy. In this blog, we zoom in on organising your own events and activities. Find out how to go about this and what benefits it offers.

Why organise events and activities?

By offering unique and attractive activities, you attract a wider audience, potentially extend the average length of stay and benefit from positive word-of-mouth advertising - if handled well, of course.

Increased appeal

Events and activities give your campsite a unique look and attract new visitors. By offering something special, you set yourself apart from other campsites and make your site more attractive to potential guests. Unique experiences are an important factor when choosing a holiday destination.

Extended or repeat stays

Guests stay longer when there are interesting activities to do. Guests who already know your campsite may even return for it. Especially if your event returns annually and becomes a local tradition.

Positive word-of-mouth advertising

Satisfied guests like to share their experiences with others, both offline and online. This generates free promotion via social media, positive reviews and recommendations to friends and family. Positive word of mouth can have a big impact on attracting new visitors.

Types of events and activities

Organising different types of events and activities makes your campsite more attractive to various target groups. Or choose one very specific type in which you excel. After all, this will help raise your campsite's profile, making it stand out from the crowd. Here are some ideas to consider:

Seasonal activities

By responding to the different seasons, you will constantly offer innovative and attractive activities.

• Autumn hikes: Organise nature walks with an autumn theme. Think mushroom excursions or an autumn landscape photo contest (entries via social media, tagging your Account).
• Winter beach parties: Create a cosy atmosphere with campfires, warm blankets and winter snacks and drinks or a tasty winter barbecue.
• Spring workshops: Offer workshops such as flower arranging, bird watching or vegetable gardening.

Theme events

Theme events attract specific target groups and make your campsite extra attractive.

• Wellness weekends: Organise weekends with massages or infusions, for example, if you have a sauna. Guests can relax and enjoy a soothing environment.
• Culinary experiences: Offer cooking workshops using local products or organise a wine tasting. This attracts foodies who love culinary discoveries.

Sporting events

Sporting activities promote an active and engaged atmosphere among your guests.

• Cycling or walking holidays: Offer complete packages for cycling or walking holidays, including routes and overnight stays. If a former professional cyclist lives in your area, organise a cycling clinic, for example.
• Sports tournaments: Organise tournaments in, for example, volleyball, petanque or a swimming competition. You can organise this all by yourself or join a local event as a partner.

Art and culture

Art and cultural activities offer a creative outlet for your guests.

• Painting and pottery workshops: Let guests discover their creative side with workshops in painting, pottery or other crafts.
• Lectures and tours: Offer lectures on local flora and fauna or the history of the region. This will enrich your guests' experience and provide them with valuable knowledge about the area.

Music and entertainment

Music and entertainment bring people together and create a convivial atmosphere.

• Live performances: Invite local bands for live performances at your campsite.
• Karaoke nights: Organise fun karaoke nights where guests can show off their singing talents.

Planning and preparation

It sounds obvious, but start organising your event(s) early. Make a detailed plan in which you define the goals, target audience, resources needed and the tasks of everyone involved. Make sure you have enough time to arrange and promote everything properly. Think about preparing a timeline, setting dates and reserving sites. By preparing everything well, you can avoid last-minute problems and focus fully on the execution of the event.

Collaborations

Join forces with local entrepreneurs and organisations. Local Companies can sponsor or contribute to your event, for example by providing products or services. This strengthens ties with the local community and provides additional resources and promotion. Consider collaborations with local restaurants, shops, and attractions to create unique packages that make your event more attractive to visitors.

Promotion and marketing

Good promotion is crucial to the success of your event. Your programme can be so great, without effective promotion, no one will know about it and you will not attract your desired extra visitors. Here are some practical tips on how to promote your event well:

• Email newsletters: Send newsletters to your existing customer base with announcements and updates about the event. Personalise the emails to increase engagement.
• Create an event page: Create a dedicated event page on your website where guests can find all the details and register. Make sure this page is easy to find and contains all the necessary information.
• Early bird discount: Encourage people to book early by offering a discount for early registrations. This creates urgency and can speed up registrations.
• Use social media: Promote your event through your social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Create attractive posts with photos and videos that reflect the atmosphere of the event.
• Local media: Approach local newspapers, radio stations and websites to promote your event. A press release can help get coverage in the local media.
• Collaborations with influencers: Collaborate with local influencers or bloggers who appeal to your target audience. They can promote your event to their followers.
• Flyers and posters: Distribute flyers and posters in the local community, such as at shops, tourist information points and other high-traffic places.
• Collaborations with local companies: Work with local Companies that can promote your event to their customers, such as hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions.
• Online ads: Use targeted online ads on platforms such as Google Ads and Facebook Ads to bring your event to the attention of a wider audience.

Registrations and reservations

Provide a simple booking system where guests can register for activities. This can be done through your website and also through Campercontact. Make sure all information is clear and accessible so that guests can book easily. A user-friendly booking system reduces the barrier to participation and helps you keep track of the number of participants. Consider offering different payment options and send confirmation emails to remind participants of their registration.

Evaluation and feedback

After the event, it is important to collect feedback from participants. This can be done through surveys, reviews or personal conversations. Use this feedback to evaluate what went well and what can be improved for future events. Feedback helps you understand your guests' experiences and continuously improve your events. Thank participants for their input and show that you value their opinion.