A journey rooted in passion

Hospitality has always been in my blood. My journey started in Germany and took a surprising yet transformative turn during a gap year in Ireland. While I initially set out to pursue a career in hotel management, the experience of working hands-on in roles such as night manager and duty manager across various hotels gave me a genuine appreciation for the fast-paced nature of this industry.

Eventually, I transitioned into the hospitality technology sector. It was a way to stay close to the industry I love while having a broader impact. Over the past 18 years, I’ve worn just about every hat: installer, trainer, support, and now sales. This diversity has given me a unique perspective—and a profound understanding of the real challenges hoteliers and park operators face daily.

Now, I lead the European sales team at RMS, and I speak with hotels and holiday parks every single day. One thing I’ve learned? These two worlds are far more similar than most people think.

Same guests, different pillows. Are hotels and parks really that different?

Traditionally, we’ve treated hotels and holiday parks as completely separate operations. But times are changing. Today’s travellers—and especially younger generations—don’t differentiate as much. They’re not asking whether they’re in a park or a hotel. They just want seamless service, comfort, and a great overall experience.

More properties are becoming hybrids: mixing hotel-style rooms with cabins, RV sites, or even glamping units. That blend requires modern, flexible tech infrastructure that can handle fluctuating inventory, different ownership models, and a variety of guest expectations—all on a single platform.

Making the beds vs making the rounds: What each side gets right

Despite this convergence, I’ve seen some key differences that offer valuable learning opportunities for both types of properties.

What hotels can steal from the holiday parks playbook

Holiday parks are machines when it comes to operational efficiency, especially in areas such as housekeeping and maintenance. Imagine managing over 100 units spread across a vast area. Staff need to be mobile, proactive, and incredibly well-coordinated. Many parks I work with outperform hotels in these areas simply because they have to.

Some hotels could really benefit from this approach. It’s not that hard to make sure every room has a clean kettle—it just takes efficiency and planning.

Another area where parks shine is guest engagement. Parks are designed to keep guests on-site with restaurants, shops, entertainment, and more. That creates opportunities beyond room revenue. Where hotels rely heavily on Revpar (Revenue Per Available Room), parks embrace Revpag (Revenue Per Available Guest), maximising every moment and every pound or dollar of the guest experience.

It’s a mindset hotels would do well to adopt, especially in a world where personalised, immersive stays are becoming the norm.

What holiday parks can learn from hotels

On the flip side, many holiday parks are behind the curve when it comes to digital distribution and online presence.

We’re in 2025. If your website looks like it hasn’t been updated since 2010—or worse, doesn’t support direct bookings—you’re leaving serious money on the table. Your website should be your best salesperson, not an afterthought.

Mobile-first design is another area where hotels have taken the lead. Travellers—especially campers, glampers, RVers, digital nomads, and remote workers—expect real-time communication, self-service options, and mobile booking. If parks don’t catch up, they risk losing relevance with an increasingly tech-savvy audience.

Campfire meets concierge: A better hospitality future

The truth is, both hotels and holiday parks have a lot to be proud of—and a lot to learn. By studying each other’s strengths, both can elevate their game.

At RMS, we’re building a unified PMS platform that support everything from traditional hotels to hybrid resorts to sprawling holiday parks. That’s not just about simplifying operations—it’s about enabling innovation.

The lines between “traditional” and “alternative” accommodations are fading fast. What matters now is delivering flexible, personalized experiences that make every guest feel right at home—whether they’re staying in a suite, a cabin, or a caravan.

Let’s embrace this opportunity to rethink what hospitality looks like—and build a better, more connected future for everyone.

By Siggi Schrot
VP Sales EMEA