By Grant Reigate, Head of Leisure at EQ
Scotland’s holiday park sector keeps evolving, and there are plenty of reasons to feel positive about its future. We’re seeing operators invest in their parks, respond to what customers want and look for new ways to grow and improve performance.
Operator Pressures
We also know many operators are feeling the pressure of rising costs. The cost of living is affecting how much people spend on holidays, while higher employment costs (including employer National Insurance), energy bills and other running costs are squeezing profits.
That makes every investment decision a big one. You want to keep improving the customer experience, and the business needs to stay efficient and profitable too. From our conversations with operators, the appetite to invest is there. But the numbers have to make sense.
Key Trends
One trend we’re seeing is continued investment in the quality of accommodation and facilities. Customers expect more from their holiday, and operators are responding by upgrading accommodation, improving facilities and investing in the overall customer experience.
Energy efficiency and sustainability matter more too. Investing to cut energy use can improve efficiency and help secure the long-term future of a park.
Looking Ahead
There are real opportunities for growth, but that doesn’t have to mean getting bigger. For some operators, it could mean increasing occupancy, encouraging more customer spend, introducing new income streams or developing a more premium offering. The key is understanding what your customers want and investing where it will make the biggest difference.
Technology will keep playing an important role. From online bookings and dynamic pricing to tracking occupancy, margins and overall performance, having the right information to hand helps you make quicker, better-informed decisions.
Succession planning matters just as much for many holiday parks. These are often long-established family businesses, so it’s important to start those conversations early. Whether you plan to pass the business to the next generation, bring family members into the business or eventually sell, a clear plan gives you more options and more time to prepare.
How EQ Can Help
At EQ, we work closely with leisure businesses and their owners, and we’re with you at every stage. That can include everything from tax planning and funding to investment, growth, succession and exit planning. We take the time to understand your business, help you make sense of the numbers and support you in making confident decisions about the future.
The sector will continue to change but for operators who are prepared to invest, adapt and plan ahead there is a lot to be positive about.
Get in touch with our leisure team via the contact us page to find out how we can help.