FORWARD bookings for Warrnambool’s Surfside Holiday Park have been improved to attract more happy campers.
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Instead of the previous system, where holding deposits on sites were made up to a year ahead without certainty on fees, a new advanced price list has been released.
It is expected to reduce administration work and provide an early revenue stream.
Hundreds of early bookings were made last summer by campers keen to return, but the 4500 invoices weren’t mailed out until this week because of the council budget process which sets rates in July. Guests are then required to pay the full amount by October 30 or risk unpaid sites being released to other campers.
The system will be changed for future bookings following a unanimous vote on Monday night to determine the fee scale a year in advance.
“It’s a commonsense approach so people exiting after their holiday can book ahead for the next year with certainty,” Cr Rob Askew said.
“This should improve the council cash flow and the amount of work for council staff.”
Tourism services manager Peter Abbott said Surfside Holiday Park was the city’s largest accommodation provider with 1100 camp sites and 23 cabins.
“Our peak summer period has a high level of repeat visitation as demand is well in excess of the supply for sites,” he said.
“Coastal camping parks are highly sought after — it’s part of the Victorian culture.
“With a lot of parks on private land being sold for development the remaining Crown land sites like Warrnambool are valuable.
“Now it will be easier for our customers to know what the fees will be in advance.”
A comparison of peak summer site fees with other holiday parks shows Surfside is the second most expensive in Warrnambool, but cheaper than Lorne and Torquay and about the same as Barwon Heads and Apollo Bay.