A handful of the Sunshine Coast’s more than 30 holiday parks have started using a new digital platform to manage their bookings.
ParkBooker is Australia’s first independent travel platform dedicated to caravan parks, holiday parks and campgrounds, and is already being used by Big4 Noosa North Shore and Habitat Noosa.
Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Matt Stoeckel said the platform would help the region’s tourism industry continue to thrive.
“On the Sunshine Coast, we get more than our fair share of the $2.3b that caravanners and campers spend each year across Queensland,” he said.
“Caravan and camping holidays have always been a hugely popular choice for visitors to the Sunshine Coast, with more than 30 holiday parks dotted across the region.
“Some of our caravan parks truly have locations to die for, including Cotton Tree, Coolum, Dicky Beach, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba and Noosa North Shore, which are practically on the beach. Many of our privately operated caravan parks are seen as destinations in their own right, with fancy pools, waterslides, restaurants and even breweries on site.
“ParkBooker provides an opportunity for our holiday parks to feature on a dedicated and independent online travel agent site. For travellers making their way here, it’s an opportunity to easily research and book a park that’s best for the experience they’re after.”
Habitat Noosa spokesperson Steve Schilling said the platform would help travellers find the most suitable accommodation for their stay.
“ParkBooker, as a dedicated holiday parks online travel agent, helps bring the right people to our doorstep by showcasing the value for money that campgrounds offer,” he said.
“By highlighting key features such as extra activities, different site options like powered or waterfront sites and even glamping tents.”
Founder Josh Volk, who was a former global head of product at fitness app Sweat, said the system was created to fill a gap in the market.
“Holiday parks are an iconic part of Aussie travel yet they’ve been overlooked by mainstream booking platforms. ParkBooker makes it easier for travellers to find and book parks while giving operators the digital exposure they deserve,” he said.
Queensland Holiday Parks Association CEO Michelle Weston supported the launch.
“ParkBooker is a fantastic development for the industry. It provides much-needed digital exposure for parks while making it easier for travellers to find great-value getaways,” she said.
