#19 The Rise of the Holiday Park: Why caravan parks are so 'yesterday'

For generations caravan parks have been at the heart of the West Aussie holiday - road trips, sandy feet, camp kitchens, and that unmatched sense of freedom, and today, they’ve evolved into a new era of modern holiday parks! What’s driving the renaissance? Why are WA travellers hitting the road in record numbers? Are parks raising the bar - or are travellers demanding more? What do familiesexpect now that they didn’t a decade ago? And as RAC invests in upgraded facilities and landmark destinations like Ningaloo Reef Resort, is itredefining the future of the great WA road trip? Chapters: 00:00 WA’s Iconic Holiday Parks: Why We’re Lucky01:26 Childhood Memories: Freedom, Bikes & Beachside Vibes03:48 Why WA Loves Road Trips & Holiday Parks05:56 From Caravan Parks to Modern Holiday Resorts07:11 WA Geography, Seasonality & Picking Park Locations09:50 Holiday Park vs Caravan Park: What’s Actually Different?12:28 How Parks Have Evolved: Comfort, Safety & Multi-Gen Travel16:56 Keeping Kids Busy (and Off Screens): Activities & School Holiday Programs20:57 Post-COVID Boom: Staying Local, Standards & Repeat Visitors24:22 WA Hotspots & Who’s Visiting 28:14 Family-Friendly Park Culture: Early Nights, Safe Spaces & Dolphin Mornings29:16 Comfort vs Camping: Why Glamping Is Taking Off33:23 Why RAC Got into Holiday Parks 35:30 Big Investments & New Acquisitions36:46 Coral Bay/Ningaloo Redevelopment38:48 Building Lightly: Environmental Design, Recycling and Solar Plans40:28 Boosting Local Tourism43:15 Who Works in the Parks: Lifestyle Staff, Backpackers and Moving Between Regions45:20 What’s Next: Future Locations, Eco Stays, Self-Contained Cabins & 10-Year VisionGuests: Doreen Thomson (Senior Marketing Manager, Travel & Tourism), Dean Massie (General Manager, Operations) and Mark Weller (Chief Operating Officer).Subscribe and share  If you liked this episode, subscribe to RAC’s Horizons podcast and share it with your friends and family.     Find us online:Website: ⁠https://rac.com.au/horizons⁠   YouTube: ⁠ / @horizonsrac⁠  Instagram:   www.instagram.com/racwa   Facebook:   www.facebook.com/racwa   Legal disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees.  This podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only.  Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for independent advice.  References to a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.  RAC accepts no liability for any reliance placed on the content.