Recently I noted yet another campground owner attempting to legislate rules requiring potential guests visiting his town to stay in his park. That is a little like standing in the highway with a shotgun and forcing everyone that comes down the road to pull in and pay for a night. I can't imagine hotel owner doing the same. Some cities have passed laws making it illegal to park overnight at a Walmart, but they are missing the point. What is the reason these RV units are parking there?

The first answer is almost always assumed that they are too cheap to pay to stay in a park, but is that really true? Would they not prefer a shower, full hookups, a swimming pool, a park for the kids, and a dark quiet place to sleep?

In these past few years of stifling economy, it is possible that many young families are struggling to enjoy any vacation with their families before their kids grow up. Should they be allowed to stay as economically as possible? Should an RV owner be allowed to stay anywhere they want including: Rest Areas, Welcome Centers, Truck Stops, Shopping Centers, and Walmart? Most folks buy RV units because they want to enjoy the freedom of traveling their way on the highway.

Instead of laws, we can be more positive by take on two strategies: marketing and accepting the reality of what your potential guests want and are looking for.

As to marketing, try these ideas: Create discount coupons for 'Buy 1 night get 1 night free', '50% off first night', and push your easy in and easy out pull thru sites. Market future visits by offering second RV free coupons. This brings the first customer back and gets them to promote your park to another guest! Create a simple flyer with the key points of what your park offers: good rates, pull thru sites, early exits, hot breakfast, hot showers, friendly folks, quiet, safe, and fun! Buy some napkins and dozens of donuts. Every afternoon, load up your best smile, take your flyers, coupons, and donuts and go welcome these parking lot campers to your town. Tell them about your park, and always keep smiling. Arguing will not get you a paying customer. Why should they stay with a grouch? Make it fun! Ask if they are having trouble with their RV. Ask what you can do to help.

Why are they staying on the hot asphalt in a noisy parking lot with bright lights? They may have an early RV service appointment, or a desire to hit the road before six in the morning. Most of us are too embarrassed to leave early in a park while waking all our neighbors. Do you have a special front section that allows quiet exits? Many overnighters only need electricity because they are leaving early and don't want to waste money paying for a full spot. A weekly rate is a great bargain, but when you're making a long haul across several states to get to your destination, paying nightly for full service spots can be expensive. Coupons hold your rates for those staying several days, but brings in the guests that only need a night.

Consider promoting a mileage discount program and advertise it. If your guests last stayed over 200 miles a way they obtain 5% off, 300 miles away and 10% off, and 400 miles about and 15%. This targets the long distance guests and discourages staying at Walmart to keep their costs down when all they want to do is sleep and go!

So getting angry will not increase your sales, however, working smarter WILL increase sales this year and the next, and your reputation as friendly one-nighter RV Park will grow!

Copyright 2010 by GTI