Do you have personality to run a caravan park or motel – lessons from Basil

Running a caravan park or motel business in Australia should be a dream business to own. Enjoying sunshine, friendly travellers, outback sunsets, and a lifestyle many people envy. Is it for you, and do you have the personality to deal with customers, good and bad? Those who have ever owned or managed a small accommodation business know the reality can be a lot more Fawlty Towers than a four-star resort. Whether you’re considering buying a caravan park, thinking about running a motel, or you’re already juggling late check-ins and maintenance emergencies, here’s how to build the right attributes—without turning into Basil Fawlty himself.

Do you have a Sense of Humour and a can-do attitude when running a caravan park?

If there’s one thing every caravan park owner knows, it’s this: things will go wrong when running a caravan park. From broken water pipes to last-minute bookings, the chaos can be relentless, but also fun or just plain laughable. As someone once said in business, “Own the chaos before the chaos owns you.” In the accommodation game—whether a holiday park, motel or pub—your sense of humour becomes one of your most valuable business attributes. Basil couldn’t handle the pressure, but can you !. It’s essential when considering any business in the hospitality industry to be able to deal with people. It drives business, and had Google been around when Basil was operating the Faulty Towers Hotel, I am sure the star rating would have been disastrous.

Customer Service—Minus the Basil attitude

Guest expectations shape your reputation faster than any marketing plan. Whether your guests are looking for regional accommodation in Australia, family-friendly caravan parks, or budget motels, they want one thing above all: to feel welcome and served.  Remember: “Lead your park the way you want your guests to feel—calm, welcome, and supported.” If Basil taught us anything, it’s how not to treat guests. Exceptional accommodation businesses thrive on empathy, patience, responsiveness and tolerance.  This is one of the key skills for anyone researching what it takes to run a caravan park. It’s often the little incidents that guests remember – like the park owner who greets you like you’ve interrupted his lunch, or the owner who comments on a minor thing your toddler might be doing that is annoying but harmless. Tolerance and the happy face are what make you an amazing park operator.

Strong Financial Discipline (Because Cash Flow Matters)

Running an accommodation business isn’t just about smiling at guests—it’s about smart financial management. Whether you’re preparing a motel business plan, forecasting occupancy, or evaluating whether a caravan park is a good investment, your numbers need to tell a clear story. Know your costs. Know your peak and off-peak patterns. Know your maintenance cycle. A profitable caravan park or motel relies on consistent financial habits. We can certainly assist here. We recommend not only undertaking financial projections, but also following them, reviewing and celebrating . 

Operational Know-How: The Real Backbone

From cleaning schedules to guest communication, a successful caravan park operation runs on systems, not luck.  One of the core truths of successful tourism businesses is consistency. Your daily routines build culture. “Your park’s culture starts with the way you show up—rain, shine, or school-holiday madness.”  Whether you manage a small motel, a tourist park, or a holiday park in regional Australia, your operations define your guest experience.

Emotional Resilience and Stress Management – Can you hack it?

Running a hospitality business is rewarding—but exhausting. You deal with long shifts, demanding guests, staff issues, and the unpredictability of the tourism industry. Our emotional tone becomes the emotional climate of the whole park or motel. Staying calm is a competitive advantage. This is one of the most-searched topics among new operators seeking stress management for motel owners or for business owners looking to prevent burnout in caravan parks.

Adaptability: Because Nothing Goes to Plan- every day can be different!

In the accommodation industry, flexibility is essential. Weather shifts, travel plans change, equipment breaks, guests surprise you—and not always in good ways. Modern guests expect online bookings, fast communication, clean facilities, and flexibility. If you’re wondering how to run a modern caravan park, adaptability should be at the top of your list.

“A great caravan park isn’t built on facilities—it’s built on the owner’s mindset.”

The best caravan parks in Australia succeed not just because of their amenities, but also because they connect with their local communities—partnering with local eateries, tourism operators, councils, and events. Guests choose you for the experience—not just the cabin or campsite. This is especially powerful for those searching for things like caravan park marketing tips or how to increase repeat guests. Clean facilities, acknowledging your guests as you busily hover around the park doing your routine, makes them feel like you care. If you are not a people person, a business in the tourist industry may not be for you

Leadership: More Sybil, Less Basil

Leadership determines whether your staff stay, your guests return, and your business thrives. Whether you’re running a family-owned caravan park or managing a motel team, your staff culture reflects your energy. A quiet but powerful principle: “Lead with clarity, not chaos.” 
Sybil ran the show—and she did it with control, presence, and standards. Be the Sybil, not the Basil.

Could You Run a Motel or Caravan Park?

Owning or managing a caravan park or motel is one of the most rewarding ways to run a regional accommodation business, but it isn’t easy. It demands patience, operational discipline, financial knowledge, stress management, adaptability, and authentic hospitality.

But if you combine Fawlty Towers humour with modern business systems, you’ll be well on your way to building a park or motel that guests love—and remember—and that shows you care. Having the right mindset in any business, but especially a caravan park or motel, ensures that guests feel happy and keep coming back.

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