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QueenslandTravellers more than ever are on the lookout for a holiday park with great amenities and easy access to stay at whenever they hit the road on holiday. But, are just great amenities enough for modern-day holiday parks to thrive? The answer goes far beyond comfort and convenience. In this era of heightened environmental consciousness, holiday parks must rise to the challenge and embrace sustainability through improved practices and efficient technologies.
Saving on Energy Bills
Energy bills for parks continue to spike, and there is, on average, up to a 25% increase recorded across Australia. Saving energy can help reduce overheads, gain efficiency, and ensure continued profitability for Parks.
There are several technologies a Park can upgrade to help make them more efficient.
LED Lighting
Holiday parks can save up to 80% on lighting costs with an upgrade to LEDs. With a longer lifespan of over 25,000 hours, LED lights result in cost savings by minimising maintenance and replacement expenses. Their durable design enhances safety, especially in outdoor and high-ceiling areas, where frequent bulb changes can be challenging. LED lights provide flexibility in creating the desired atmosphere, offering warm, cool, and daylight white settings for different spaces. The availability of LED lights with occupancy sensors for car parks ensures they are activated only when needed, further optimising energy usage and reducing costs.
Solar PV
By generating their own clean energy, holiday parks can be less reliant on the grid and gain a level of security against electricity price hikes. Solar panels provide a reliable and sustainable source of clean energy, allowing parks to maintain operations, even during power outages or grid disruptions.
EV Chargers
As more EV owners plan their road trip holidays around available charging infrastructure, holiday parks can position themselves as key destinations by providing EV charging facilities. Offering EV charging options puts holiday park owners at the forefront of this evolving market and helps them stay relevant during the transition. From January 1 to April 30, Australians purchased 23,926 EVs, accounting for 6.8% of the total market share, whereas it was less than 2.5% last year.
Hot Water Heat Pumps
A new heat pump hot water system is up to 70% more efficient than an electric, and 50% more efficient than a traditional gas hot water unit. Heat pump units extracts outside air during refrigeration cycles and transfers the heat produced to storage tanks using heat exchangers while using very little electricity.
Combining heat pumps with solar PV can have the best positive environmental impact through the reduction of energy, emissions and carbon footprint. With energy-saving schemes available for heat pump upgrades, park owners can access financial assistance to make the transition more accessible.
Make The Switch
Modern-day electric appliances are much more efficient in utilising energy effectively. Common appliances used in holiday parks can be a combination of gas and electricity. Switching from gas to electric can lead to significant energy bill savings and eliminate the need for multiple supply charges. For instance, when using both gas and electricity, irrespective of consumption, there is a fixed supply charge.
Water Conservation
Implementing a comprehensive water management plan that includes regular monitoring and maintenance of plumbing systems, along with the installation of water-efficient fixtures such as low-flow toilets, faucets, and showerheads, can substantially reduce water consumption in holiday parks. Furthermore, exploring alternative water sources like rainwater harvesting and raising guest awareness through educational campaigns and providing water-saving tips, can encourage responsible water usage.
Cost Savings Through Waste Management
As sustainability has become important in every part of the economy, business owners, especially small businesses like holiday parks, not only have to battle with competition to stay profitable but also have to keep the supply chain sustainable, ensuring ethically sourced materials to meet customer expectations.
To stay profitable, the transition from an unviable, traditional linear economy of ‘take-make-dispose’ to a better circular economy of ‘make-use-recycle’ is essential. This transition will help reduce waste and lower disposal fees. On a larger scale, these initiatives can reduce a Parks’ greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint.
Positive Brand Image And Growing Profit
Sustainability has become an integral factor in consumers’ buying decisions. They prioritise businesses that demonstrate care for the environment and are even willing to pay a premium for sustainable options. By positioning a holiday park as a sustainable destination, owners can attract environmentally conscious guests who actively seek out eco-friendly options, resulting in increased bookings and occupancy rates. This shift towards sustainability-driven consumer choices presents an opportunity for holiday park owners to differentiate their brand, gain a competitive edge and thrive in an increasingly environmentally conscious market.
Resilience
Parks shouldn’t waste money for sustainability initiatives, but they can bring long-term profits when done right. This includes mitigating risks by reducing resource dependency and impacts on the environment. By being sustainability-focused, businesses can future-proof against rising energy costs, water scarcity, and changing consumer preferences.
Regulatory compliance
Beyond the well-known environmental impact, it is important to note that climate change can also trigger a diverse range of risks for businesses. According to the Reserve Bank of Australia, climate change can cause financial risks due to natural calamities and regulatory policies aimed at adopting sustainability. By proactively adopting sustainable practices, businesses can stay ahead of regulatory requirements, avoid potential penalties or fines, and ensure compliance with industry standards.
Government Grants and Incentives
Small businesses in Australia can access energy-saving grants by upgrading some of their inefficient appliances. Eligible products can be found on the respective state government website; South Australia, Department of Mining and Energy, New South Wales, and Victoria, NSW government’s Climate and Energy Actions and the Victorian Energy Environment and Climate Actions. These rebates can provide financial support and further enhance the economic viability of sustainable practices.
Ecovantage Makes It Easy.
As one of the largest accredited providers delivering state and federal grants, incentives and subsidies, Ecovantage is well-equipped to assist Parks in maximising potential benefits by providing funding opportunities, tailor-made proposals, and seamless implementation. Ecovantage’s Hospitality & Tourism lead has over 30 years of experience in the tourism and lodging industry, and understands the operational challenges in a Park’s business. By prioritising each Park’s requirements throughout the consultation, design, and implementation phases of the project, Ecovantage aims to deliver positive commercial outcomes.
Book a call with us today to learn more about how you can get onboard.
