The Covid Questions Caravan and Campsites Need to Answer

We all know how essential it is to keep websites updated with information regarding coronavirus… for safety measures, to inspire confidence, to ensure holidaymakers aren’t unknowingly breaking the law by arriving at the wrong time...

But we’re all tired of Covid news. No-one wants to read a rambly, soon-to-be-outdated blog post.

The solution? Use FAQs in your updates to display information in a clear, readily available and easy-to-scan way.

Answering questions people already have is a great way to get your full message across. Below are 8 of the most important covid-related questions to answer on your website...

When do you open?

Make it incredibly clear on which day and at what time you’ll be opening your gates. 

There are a lot of dates to remember as we come out of lockdown (for different accommodation types in different countries) so make sure to display this information clearly so people know if they can actually book. 

Even better, if you have a booking portal on your website, set it to not allow people to book before this date.

Can I visit your site from another country/region?

Another important thing to get across is that even if you’re open, it doesn’t mean everyone can visit you yet. Make it abundantly clear that people are subject to the lockdown restrictions of their country and if the government guidelines say they can’t travel, you can’t accept them. 

If you’re concerned that people aren’t paying attention, let guests know of any repercussions of thwarting this rule (from the park being shut down, to them being not welcome to return, etc...)

EXAMPLE: If you have a caravan site in Wales that has a large English clientele, let them know that whilst you are able to open on the 27th of March, English visitors will only be welcome from the 12th of April.

Do you have any guarantee schemes for bookings?

Are you offering any allowances if a holiday is cancelled because of lockdown? If so, shout about them! They might be the confidence boost that someone needs to book with you today.
 

What safety/cleanliness measures do you have on-site?

Reassure people that your site will be clean and safe. Wanting to avoid contaminated airports is one of the reasons staycations are so popular, so don’t be afraid to lean into it.

List the extra steps you have taken to make sure they’ll stay safe on their holiday. Not only will this relieve any anxieties they have, it will also prove how conscientious you are.

EXAMPLE: Are your staff being frequently Covid tested? If you have shared facilities/self-catered accommodation, do you have an enhanced cleaning regimen? Are you able to provide a contactless check-in?

What guidelines are guests expected to follow?

As well as the extra things you’ve done, make sure to clearly state the rules you expect guests to follow. Again, this will reassure holidaymakers, as they won’t be worried that other guests will be a risk to their safety.

After all, we’ve all come home from the supermarket annoyed at people not wearing masks, you don’t want your park to be a similar source of frustration.

EXAMPLE: Your expectations of social distancing, whether people can go into others’ accommodations, whether you require masks on site, how many people can gather and where.

Which facilities are open?

If your park or site has any facilities, let people know if they’re open. From pools to toilet blocks, it is important that visitors don’t have unrealistic expectations of what is available on site. Ideally, you’ll let them know when booking too, in case they don’t see your FAQs.

Obviously, with a lot of uncertainty about when things can reopen, it’s not always possible to guarantee when facilities will be available. Sometimes the best you can do is update as-and-when things are allowed to open.

EXAMPLE: A traffic light system can work well to easily show the open status of facilities. Whether you colour or highlight the text or use emojis, visual prompts make browsing websites easier and faster, so people are more likely to read on.

What outdoor activities can guests do when visiting your park/site?

Even if all your facilities are closed, it doesn’t mean there’s not plenty to do close by!  Make sure the best outdoor activities (that people can do no matter the restrictions) are listed on your website so people can plan the fun they’ll have. 

EXAMPLE: We’ve listed tens of example ideas for this in our article 5 2021 Marketing Trends for the Holiday Park and Campsite Industries.

Can you make an exception?

Obviously, this one is down to you. 

However, if it seems that the same questions are coming up time and time again, everyone expects special treatment or if people are kicking off about the guidelines, don’t be afraid to refer them to the government guidelines

EXAMPLE: People respect honesty and transparency, so don’t be afraid to state the truth: 

• That you have no insider knowledge and are presented with the same guidelines at the same time as everyone else
• That you have no control over the situation and by law have to implement certain safety measures (such as wearing masks indoors)
• That you’re trying your hardest

All Questions Answered

Hopefully, with all of these questions answered, people will not be on the phones or messaging you to ask the same things again and again. Even better, it can reassure people browsing your website of how seriously you are taking this situation.

But 2021 doesn’t have to be all about Covid-19, if you want to see some of the other content potential guests are particularly interested in this year check out our article on the top 5 2021 Marketing Trends for the Holiday Park and Campsite Industries.