NRMA's pioneering pay-before-you-camp scheme seems to be a hit.
The industry-first layby system has already attracted plenty of responses
from families wanting to ease the financial strain of holidays at caravan
and tourist parks.
They now have a choice of making prepayments weekly, fortnightly or
monthly at no extra charge.
Holidaymakers can enjoy this payment option for bookings starting at $200.
NRMA Holiday Parks chief executive Paul Davies said a recent NRMA member
survey identified cost as the biggest frustration for families when
booking a holiday.
The new initiative was designed create happier campers across its 40
holiday parks around Australia, he said..
The layby system will be available at 20 NRMA and Escape 2 branded parks
from August 8 and will roll out to RAC and other holiday parks managed by
NRMA in the coming months.
"We are committed to making holidays more affordable to guests, regardless
of whether they choose to camp on an unpowered site or stay in an upmarket
cabin," Mr Davies said.
Holidays increasingly becoming
big part of the household budget
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"Holidays are increasingly becoming a big part of the household budget and
with families already struggling to make ends meet sometimes holidays are
the first thing to be cut. Every Australian family deserves to get away
and cost should not be the barrier holding them back.
"This new layby system allows us to offer affordable and accessible
holiday accommodation with an easy way to pay in instalments ahead of
schedule so the cost of family holidays can be budgeted more easily."
Mr Davies said the new payment plan was part of the NRMA's continued
commitment to invest in Australian domestic tourism, support regional
communities and open up more choice for families.
"For nearly 100 years, the NRMA has been part of the great Australian road
trip, and we want to preserve it as a high-quality and accessible option
for future generations.
"NRMA’'s portfolio of award winning holiday parks are scattered across
Australia in some of the most popular and iconic tourist locations.
"Whether you want to immerse yourself in colonial history while staying at
the Port Arthur Holiday Park in Tasmania, enjoy the snow at Jindabyne or
fishing at Victor Harbour in South Australia, there's a quality and
affordable option for everyone."
Cath and Trevor Slattery plan to put their next extended-family holiday on
layby when they head down to the Central Coast of New South Wales for the
Christmas school holidays with son Calen and his six-year-old daughter
Molly.
"Our grand-daughter started school this year so now we have to wait until
the school holidays before we can take her away.
"Travelling during Christmas or Easter holidays is so expensive, but
knowing we can book in advance and pay it off before we get there is a
huge incentive," Mrs Slattery said.
"We don’t have much to spare but paying $30 a week is a big relief versus
getting a big credit card bill at the end.
"I know a lot of my friends will also consider this for their holidays.
"I like the holiday park environment because it's so safe for the kids and
there is so much for them to do.
"Knowing we have an affordable payment plan will mean holidays are more
accessible in the future."
NRMA Holiday Parks with payment plan available include: