With more than 94.5 million camper households documented throughout North America, as per the 2021 annual camping report, projections are only set to rise as the years unfold. From a consumer perspective, having convenient access to making campsite reservations is critical in ensuring camper satisfaction. However, at the business level, maintaining systems to meet the demands of a growing clientele and providing access to state-of-the-art internal software can be the difference between staying ahead of the industry or falling to the wayside.
RoverPass bridges the disconnect between the growing number of projected campers and campground/RV park owners by making the reservation process as seamless as the open road. Through their central reservation system, owners can manage all things bookings and management in a dedicated space.
CEO at RoverPass
We got the opportunity to chat with RoverPass’ CEO, Ravi Parikh to learn more about their reservation system and what the future holds for the company’s growing vision. A serial entrepreneur, Parikh is no stranger when it comes to implementing effective strategies to support tech design in a market desperate for solutions. An expert executive who has launched multiple successful startups, Parikh pulls from his experiences as both a camper and property owner, bringing a seasoned yet fresh perspective to the market.
Based in Texas, RoverPass has already mastered their local campground market and beyond. Parikh expands on the vision to bring campground/RV park owners more business without the added stress. RoverPass is poised to set technology as the pivotal tool in an arsenal of what it truly takes to make a happy camper out of all parties involved.
So, what is RoverPass and who is it for?
I love answering this question. RoverPass is an Austin, Texas based tech-startup that started in 2014 when a group of us took an RV out to a music festival and realized how difficult it was booking a campground. We started as an online booking agency that allowed people to book campsites directly online. However, as we explored the industry we learned that a major need was actually in the reservation management system itself with RV park and campground owners losing business because they just had too much to do on a day-to-day basis. Since then, RoverPass has had a clear vision: Making it easier for people to travel outdoors. Our focus is now geared toward both the campground owner and camper by building a seamless reservation process and providing the best campground management tools.
At the critical forefront, our software caters to campground and RV park owners to support the influx of growing amounts of travelers and reservations being made. To do this successfully, we
connect with owners and support them as they update their reservation system to a modernized marketplace. Owners then have access to an online reservation management system to streamline systems and manage booking calendars.
At the consumer level, we offer campers with a database of national parks and RV sites where reservations can be made at the click of a button. Similar to Kayak or AirBnB, we create an online center for campers and owners to make the reservation process as straightforward as possible while sustaining the lighthearted approach that makes camping such a rewarding experience.
Why would a CG/park owner need a reservation management system?
Speaking from personal experience, if RoverPass existed when I was trekking back from Coachella, years ago, I would have had the luxury of skipping long hold times while avoiding overnight parking lot stays at Walmart. While I was grateful at the time, I was quick to notice I wasn’t alone in this hassle and figured if I, as a camper, am going through these setbacks, I can only imagine what campground owners are experiencing from the back end.
This inspired what would soon become RoverPass as a solution to easing the reservation process from start to finish and the demand is only set to grow. For example, in 2020, approximately 40% of all bookings came from online reservations. As the industry expands, it is projected this amount will jump to 70% of all bookings by 2025. Since most campground and RV facilities are small businesses or family-owned, having reservation management is critical in meeting the increasing numbers of outdoor explorers.
RoverPass has made it easily accessible for owners to manage reservations through a one-stop shop. This means they can keep track of bookings, process payments, and access incredible tools including interactive site maps and policies, all in one space. Utilizing our reservation management system as part of a daily workflow ensures no bookings slip through the cracks while allowing owners to focus on other aspects of their business like tending to guest experiences, for example.
Why are online bookings so important?
Life on the road can be very rewarding from the freedom it provides and the natural and breathtaking views. However, it can also be accompanied by a string of stressors, as with anything in life, and securing a space to park and rest shouldn’t be one of them.
With over 50% of campers looking to book online, many of them being millennials, it is so important that campground owners provide the option to reserve online. Not only does it put them in front of a larger audience, but it ensures they don’t miss anyone due to their hours of operation or a busy phone line.
What makes the RoverPass reservation management system unique compared to other reservation systems?
We are hands-on from start to finish meaning we offer free website templates for campground owners who are venturing into the online space for the first time. When most people think of online reservation systems, there is an initial response that can feel somewhat robotic and sterile. It’s almost as if the human element gets left out of the equation, so we wanted to make sure human interaction was a highlighted feature rather than one left to be forgotten.
To embody this, we bring human-to-human connection from the first step of the process and throughout. For example, we build the entire system for owners during the onboarding process and offer straightforward experiences with our signature “Book Now” feature that can be added to any website. This automatically lets campers book at their convenience while allowing owners a central location to manage their reservations. Another stand-out feature you can find at RoverPass is the pay-as-you-go plan where owners pay per reservation or invoice. This removes the standard, yet costly monthly billing fee and ensures RoverPass doesn’t get paid until the owner gets paid. These are the minute details that make all the difference by keeping owners at the forefront of what RoverPass is all about.
What is the onboarding process for RoverPass and how long does it take?
We have a dedicated onboarding team that takes care of new accounts from start to finish. Once an owner joins and completes their first onboarding, the process typically takes 30 days where an onboarding specialist will work with them hands-on. This includes helping owners upload any current reservations, walking them through set-up procedures, and being available for calls and messages, to name a few.
Once the initial 30-day onboarding period is complete, the owner is then transferred to the customer service team for additional support, if needed. It’s a full-spectrum approach that opens lines of communication, builds trust, and creates more ease in a campground/park owner’s business approach.
What is the RoverPass Marketplace and why would a CG/park want to be on the RoverPass Marketplace?
The RoverPass Marketplace is the largest online directory, akin to Airbnb, except for campgrounds. In a nutshell, travelers can search the RoverPass Marketplace for a site to book, and this inquiry is sent to the reservation software to notify a campground/RV park owner.
RoverPass also works with several distribution partners to help campground listings reach over 30 million potential travelers each year. This connects people with different camping locations that would have otherwise been off the radar or more difficult to discover. The marketplace is a no-brainer for any owner who seeks to grow their business, stay ahead of industry trends, and reach more people.
How has RoverPass helped CGs/parks succeed and keep customers happy?
Aside from helping campground owners/parks save precious time by automating daily tasks, here at RoverPass, our clients are at the forefront of everything we do and because of this, we take the time to listen and respond with applicable solutions.
Our biggest strength is all thanks to our customer service team. They are dedicated to answering any question that may arise on the platform. Owners can call with their inquiries at no extra charge and this has been the recipe for nurturing relationships and building trust. From a numerical perspective, RoverPass has helped increase revenue and bookings by 20% and in some cases, campgrounds have experienced a doubling in bookings simply by going online and making their reservation process easier.
How has RoverPass helped owners keep up with the growth of the campground/RV park industry?
By helping campground and RV park owners get online, we ensure a straightforward approach to staying ahead of the ever-growing expansion in the camping industry. Online access is pivotal in staying current with consumer needs and as new campgrounds surface and older campgrounds update amenities, RoverPass takes on the reservation process which frees up space an owner would have, in the past, had to tend to. Again, owners spend less time on booking tasks and can focus more on other business aspects.
RoverPass also helps owners through coaching on best practices to take advantage of the growing industry. The saddest thing is to see campground and RV park owners not take hold of the opportunities at hand and get left behind by other parks and locations. With growth comes new challenges and we make sure to coach owners by offering them the best in booking experiences with interactive maps, site lock fees, and adjustable rates, to name a few.
What challenges do you see for the future of the campground/RV park industry and how will RoverPass prepare for and solve for those challenges?
Anyone who travels on a road trip or sets out to camp encounters the same issue—finding a campsite. The thing is the industry is so segmented that it can become a confusing mess to navigate. From numerous apps to outdated websites that have a scattered inventory, most of these platforms are hard to navigate and are far from being user intuitive.
To overcome this hurdle, RoverPass envisions a future where finding a site to book becomes more readily available. This is where collaboration becomes critical by beckoning major players in the industry to come together, share inventories and create an environment where the best booking and experience is a standard rather than a luxury.
Another thing we are well aware of is the increasing shoulder-to-shoulder measurements between the RV park and campground industry and the booming hotel industry. The younger campers have a standard for a straightforward check-in and check-out process that has been
influenced by the success of the hotel and travel industry. As more opt for camping experiences, our team is sure to keep all software up to date to accomplish such an evolving landscape.
What’s next for RoverPass?
We’re continuing to expand our reach by having a strong foothold in the USA and launching in Canada. We also have several other countries on our horizon which have been exciting to see unfold. As we grow, RoverPass continues to bring in new partnerships with key industry players to mitigate the stress of making reservations. Through our collaborative efforts, we see the potential for more integrated directories with more and more campgrounds. Essentially, our growth is aimed toward making it easier for owners to be found and booked by campers.
How do owners get in touch with RoverPass?
We welcome owners to visit our website at info.roverpass.com or they can request a free demo of our reservation software. For any additional inquiries, owners can also reach out via email at sales@roverpass.com.
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