May 19, 2022
Do you own a piece of meadow?
an unused gravel area?
a parking lot that is only used during the day?
or even an existing camper pitch?
You know that you could turn it into a parking space or upgrade the existing one - but you're not sure how to go about it. It is important that you ask yourself the following questions beforehand:
The following information shows which parking space systems are available and which one is suitable for your parking space. This is a rough overview. There are no predetermined rules and it is also possible that your pitch is eligible for several categories. A basic distinction can be made between the following pitch systems:
In this article, I - Stephanie Köllinger, the camping author from Switzerland - will show you the differences as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the various systems. You will also find out where the digital payment app from Parkn'Sleep can help you with your pitch management. There is also a brief introduction to the world of parking space apps. After all, they play a particularly important role for non-reservable parking spaces.
If you want your guests to reserve their pitch in advance, just like at a campsite, you can rent out your pitch via an appropriate platform. For example, nomady.ch or hinterland.camp. These platforms have an integrated reservation system.
A parking space with a reservation system has various advantages and disadvantages for both the parking space operator and the guest.
Advantages and disadvantages for the parking space operator
Plannability
With a reservation, you know the occupancy rate of your pitch in advance and have control over the bookings at all times. This helps you to plan better.
Costs
If you make a reservation in advance, you can estimate the expected income. This helps you to budget. However, you usually have to pay a certain percentage to the parking space platform.
Marketing
If you are listed in a platform's directory as a parking space provider, your offer is automatically made accessible to a large target group. You don't have to worry about marketing your parking space.
Expenditure
Bookings, including payment, are managed directly via the booking platform. You are obliged to continuously check bookings and any cancellations in the system, as bookings can also arrive at short notice. You should also respond promptly to any questions from guests. Your workload also depends on whether you offer additional services.
Guest contact
If you rent out your pitch via a reservation platform, guests may expect a personal welcome. Communicate this in your listing for a great guest experience. Just like on a campsite or in a hotel, you are available to provide your guests with information.
Suitable for
This type of pitch is suitable for operators who like to have personal contact with guests and who are on site themselves (e.g. on a farm). Your target group are guests who want to spend their vacation with you and like to plan in advance.
Advantages and disadvantages for the camper/guest
Guests can be sure that the pitch is reserved exclusively for them. This factor is particularly important in the high season. The vacation is easier to plan with a reservation.
If you have special requirements in terms of infrastructure, you are on the safe side with a reservation. On the other hand, there is no spontaneity and the possibility of free short-term cancelations. Fixed arrival and departure times are specified by the pitch operator.
Pitches with a reservation system are exclusive for some reason - this may be due to the surroundings or the infrastructure. This is why these pitches are often a little more expensive than pitches that cannot be reserved.
Reservation platforms for parking spaces in Europe (non-exhaustive list):
These pitches do not require complex booking tools. Guests pay a one-off annual membership fee for these apps. This gives them access to an exclusive directory of pitches. These are farms, vineyards, alpine farms, cheese dairies, etc. The pitches listed offer regional products for sale on site. Guests should register with the provider by telephone or e-mail within 24 hours before arrival. The stay is limited to one night.
Advantages and disadvantages for the parking space operator
Plannability
You have to be very flexible. Requests can be made by phone or e-mail at any time. Reservation requests are not binding. You can also decline if it is not suitable.
Costs
You do not charge an overnight fee, but guests are expected to buy from your products. Guests are often generous because they are allowed to stay overnight for free.
Marketing
If you are listed on a platform, your offer is automatically made accessible to a large target group. You don't have to worry about marketing.
Expenditure
Due to the short-term nature of the job, you should always be easy to reach.
Guest contact
Guest contact is very intensive. You receive your guests personally, tell them about your business and sell them your products.
Suitable for
Pitch operators who have their own products that they would like to sell to guests - for example wine, olive oil, cheese, fruit, etc. The operator lives or works near the pitch and has an available area that he can make available. There is no obligation to provide additional services. Guests are expected to have their own toilet on board and to leave after 24 hours at the latest.
Advantages and disadvantages for the camper/guest
The guest must purchase an annual membership. This is usually available for less than 100 euros. The stay is limited to a short duration. Guests are expected to purchase products on site. The stay must be confirmed, otherwise the booking is not valid. Suitable for spontaneous campers who are interested in the local culture and cuisine and want to buy local products. Especially for spontaneous campers who don't want to plan weeks in advance, but still like to know in advance where they will be staying. Particularly suitable for self-sufficient campers with a toilet on board.
Reservation platforms for short-term parking spaces in Europe (non-exhaustive list):
You have a pitch without many extras. You want to offer simple and spontaneous overnight accommodation. The effort should be as low as possible in all areas. The pitch is designed to function autonomously.
Advantages and disadvantages for parking space operators
Plannability
You don't know in advance whether or how many guests will be arriving. That shouldn't be a problem if your pitch works autonomously.
Costs
The administration costs are generally low, as the personnel costs are low and you do not offer any additional services. The prices are somewhat lower than for places with a reservation system. Guests pay per 24 hours and not per overnight stay.
Marketing
You can have your pitch listed in one or more directories. This will give you greater visibility. Campers will know that your pitch exists and what to expect there.
Expenditure
You have set up your pitch so that it functions autonomously. All you do is pass by from time to time to make sure the pitch is clean and tidy. If there is infrastructure such as toilets, waste garbage cans or similar, you make sure that everything is in order. However, you have no personal contact with guests. For payment, you offer a simple payment system on site - a parking meter, Twint, payment slip, cash insertion or the Parkn'Sleep system.
Suitable for
Parking space operators who want to keep any management costs low. A flat surface is sufficient - as mentioned at the beginning of the article. Pitches in municipalities, tourist regions, at special attractions, in parking lots, at restaurants, harbors, farms or in front of campsites are perfect. In this way, a passive side income can be generated without much effort.
Advantages and disadvantages for campers/guests
You are free and spontaneous on the road and do not follow a fixed schedule. These pitches are particularly suitable for self-sufficient campers, as there is usually no infrastructure available. It can happen that a pitch is already occupied when you arrive. This problem can be solved by using the Parkn'Sleep app. With the live availability display, you can see at any time whether there are any free pitches.
Directories for non-reservable parking spaces in Europe (non-exhaustive list):
There are the most creative payment systems for all non-reservable parking spaces. Whether these are any good and make traveling easier is questionable. There are variants such as:
Normal parking apps for cars (parkingpay, easypark, Twint) are also increasingly being used for camper parking spaces, which can be used to collect money but are not necessarily suitable for overnight campers. Now a competitor has entered the market that offers a much simpler and more tourist-friendly solution. Namely a combination of parking app and camper directory:
Parkn'Sleep is a new parking app for campers and is the first payment system for non-reservable parking spaces in Europe. Campers drive to your pitch spontaneously and check in and pay independently on site. Payment is made using an individual QR code on the signage. The host receives an email as soon as the camper has checked in.
Parkn'Sleep can be used in parallel with all reservation systems and directories. In addition to reservations, a whole new target group can be reached, namely spontaneous travelers.
The system also includes a live availability display and automatic tourist tax billing to the respective municipality. If you register as a pitch operator with Parkn'Sleep, you can outsource all the administrative work and at the same time have control over who is currently on the pitch. Parkn'Sleep takes care of the entire package including marketing, statistics, guest contact, billing and taxes. The vehicles are checked on site using their license plates - if you like. A small percentage is charged for payment processing and you have no other costs. Signage with an individual QR code for your parking space is also provided free of charge.
So if you want to manage your parking space without any effort, it is best to list it on directories for visibility and settle the bill on site via Parkn'Sleep. Free registration incl. signage at www.parknsleep.app
As you can see, there are different types of pitches and a multitude of associated apps. Newcomers to the world of camping in particular can sometimes lose track of things. It is therefore highly advisable to decide on the type of pitch as a first step. This decision already excludes certain payment systems. If it is a non-reservable pitch, I recommend registering with Parkn'Sleep - this way you create added value for you and your camping guests.
And don't forget to ask your local authority about the regulations in advance. You may need a permit to set up a parking space.
Author ofthis article - Stephanie Köllinger :
Stephanie Köllinger is a camping blogger, journalist and social worker and works mostly from the road in her van office. Always with her: her dog Filou, an exciting book and her hiking boots. She loves to start the morning with an Inkarom coffee in front of her van. Visit Steffi on Instagram or on her website.
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