b'Reservation software and park management systems like ResNexus have worked to develop contactless features during the COVIDcrisis as more campground owners are beginning to understand the benefits of utilizing these systems to operate their parks.Reservation Software FirmsWork to Shore Up Business AmidSurge in Bookings, CompetitionPeople are staying a little longer and I think some of the trends driving that are more people working remotely or doing school remotely and having betteraccess to the Internet. People are feeling a little more flexible in their travels.CampLife Marketing Director Emily HalvorsenT his year has been anything but nor- Advanced Outdoor SolutionsBY BEN QUIGGLEmal for the outdoor hospitality in- Kathleen Walsh, founder of Matlacha, Fla.-baseddustry, with a slower than normal Advanced Outdoor Solutions, told WCM the com-Spring and a Summer season that pany continues to grow year overfor a lot of park owners topped ex- year and that it has had to addpectations.staff to keep up with demand.Many reservation software companies spent We serve parks in about 40the summer months building out tools that are states now, and we are talkingdesignedtominimizetheneedforcontact to some in Canada, she noted.when campers check in, along with other fea- We are also strengthening ourtures that might give them an edge over the ties with the glamping commu- It has been exciting to see the ways in whichcompetition. Kathleen Walsh nity.campground owners have adapted to the current There is plenty of competition, too, with over TheCOVIDcrisishas crisis, she explained. a dozen reservation software providers serving worked to drive interest in RVing and camping in Advanced Outdoor Solutions provides three sys-the RV park and campground sectors at the mo- general, and Walsh explained that the companys tems, its own Mosaicsoftware, while also being a dis-portfolio is up more than 30% over 2019 numbers.tributor for Rez Expert by Digital Rezand Newbook.ment and more popping up all the time.We had a banner year in 2019, so we have just We have some great relationships with compa- Woodalls Campground Management(WCM) seen tremendous growth this past summer, she nies that are ahead of the curve and are constantlycaught up with the major players to get a picture said.working on new features that our clients want toof how the COVID crisis and subsequent surge Walsh added that some of her clients who in the see, said Walsh. in camping interest impacted these companies, past have been more long-term-stay focused have (800) 579-9796along with their outlook for 2021. now begun to shift focus toward transient campers.www.advanced-outdoor.biz18 -December 2020Woodalls Campground Management'