Three Tips to Help Drive Participation in Outdoor Recreation in 2014

ACTIVE Network is proud to help our partners provide their customers with the best access to campsites, national landmarks, and licenses for recreational activities. As we look forward in 2014, we want to share some simple ways to help your organization yield greater success.

1. Ensure Your Website is Mobile Responsive - A 2013 report by the Pew Research Center’s Internet Project revealed that 91 percent of American adults have a cell phone, and over the last three years, adults who own a tablet device have gone from 3 percent (2010) to 35 percent (2013). This trend underscores the need for campsite inventory, tickets, and licenses to be accessible through any device. In 2013, several state agencies began updating their Hunting & Fishing Licensing sites to detect and adapt to mobile devices. Recreation.gov and ReserveAmerica.com now also have mobile-responsive websites to easily allow consumers to book campsites and purchase tickets to national landmarks from any mobile device.
2. Let Consumers Share their Experiences - As consumers increasingly rely on the input of others before deciding on vacation destinations, it’s important to provide an avenue for visitors to share their experiences through photos or reviews. Encourage visitors to post photos and experiences to share among like-minded adventurers. The number of unique visitors to Recreation.gov was up 30 percent year-over-year in large part due to the 2nd annual Share the Experience Photo contest. The contest yielded more than 17,000 photos and received 1.7 million-plus photo views.
3. Find the Right Pricing Strategy - Discount pricing strategies are a great way for campgrounds to fill vacancies early in the season. By marketing early camping offers, campgrounds have the opportunity to increase advanced weekday camping reservations and decrease underutilized inventory. In 2013, New York State Park saw a significant year-over-year increase in reservations by launching an aggressive summer camping campaign tied to an early reservation discount

As a trusted partner to more than 60 percent of the U.S. states as well as federal and local agencies, look to ACTIVE as your resource to help maximize campsite occupancy, sell more tickets to family attractions, and simplify permitting. By making a few strategic changes, organizations can streamline administration, manage costs, and increase revenue, all while driving more participation.