Discovery Parks backs online distribution for caravan & camping
Discovery Parks, owner operator of holiday parks in Australia, has backed the growth of online distribution for caravan and camping products with a minority investment in online marketplace Outdoria and its wholly owned subsidiary Go See Australia.
Both Outdoria and Go See Australia are powered by Marketplacer, a technology and business platform used globally by people and businesses that want to create successful online marketplaces.
Outdoria aims to be the premier Australian online go-to space for adventure and outdoor equipment. Go See Australia, its companion brand, has recently relaunched with a vision to be Australia’s number-one destination for holiday and caravan park accommodation, experiences and hospitality.
Underpinning the target audience for both marketplaces is a love of caravanning, camping and the Australian outdoors.
CEO of Discovery Parks, Grant Wilckens, said: “We are passionate about the caravan park industry. Our growth is dependent upon encouraging more people to participate in the sector and there is no doubt that growing online distribution is key to achieving that.”
Tourism Research Australia data for the year ending 2016 shows the highest recorded annual growth in domestic caravanning and camping overnight trips and visitor nights since data was first recorded in 1998.
This unprecedented growth saw Australians take a total of 11.7 million caravan and camping overnight trips, which represents a 9 percent increase on the previous year. The length of time spent caravanning and camping has also increased, with total domestic visitor nights in the sector numbering 51.6 million, growing 16 percent.
While distribution opportunities abound for roofed accommodation (cabins) through online travel agents, the choices for taking campsites online are limited. To solve the sharing economy challenge, Discovery has partnered with marketplace technology to connect campsites with customers.
“The application had wider use than just ourselves. We didn’t see this as a Discovery initiative, rather, being in the best interests of customers and the industry alike,” general manager for Outdoria, Drew Davies said.
“Caravan and camping is an exciting product in high demand and needs a simple path to market. Outdoria, through the Go See Australia marketplace are proud to be that path. Partnering with Discovery has ensured we design a customer experience that is fit for purpose for customers and the industry.”
Mr Davies also added he sees “…huge opportunity for both platforms to promote the industry and its products and services through the development of innovative content. We are also extremely excited to begin utilising our vast data knowledge and resources to develop new consumer insights, opportunities and distribution channels for the industry.”
Go See Australia officially launched on Thursday at the Caravan Industry Association Australia conference on the Gold Coast.
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