Customer story: How holiday park De IJsvogel automates guest communication via WhatsApp with Runnr.Ai and Booking Experts

Running a holiday park is demanding, especially during peak season. Phones never stop ringing, inboxes overflow, and guests expect instant responses. With limited staff, keeping up can be a real challenge.

Holiday park De IJsvogel in the Veluwe recognised this problem. The team wanted to respond to guests quickly and personally, without increasing workload. Their solution came via the Booking Experts App Store: a connection with Runnr.Ai, a virtual concierge that communicates with guests via WhatsApp, fully automated and tailored to each stay.

With Runnr.Ai now entering the UK market, holiday parks can learn from De IJsvogel’s experience to enhance guest communication and operational efficiency.

The challenge: peak season and repetitive questions

Like many campsites and holiday parks, De IJsvogel received dozens of recurring guest questions every day: check-in times, towel packages, facilities, and more.

• “What time can I check in?”
• “Are towels included?”
• “Can I book a travel cot?”

Each query takes time. During high season, with limited staff, that means less attention for guests who truly need immediate help.

The solution: AI-Driven guest communication via WhatsApp

The park adopted a joint approach:

• Booking Experts as the central reservation system
• Runnr.Ai as an AI-powered virtual concierge via WhatsApp
• ParcPro as the implementation partner, ensuring seamless integration and rollout

ParcPro played a key role in integrating Runnr.Ai with De IJsvogel’s existing systems. Thanks to their technical expertise, implementation was fast and smooth, allowing the park to immediately benefit from automated guest communication.
 

“The collaboration between Runnr.Ai and Booking Experts elevates guest communication. Holiday parks can now interact with guests fully automatically – effortlessly and efficiently.”
 
— Wietze Bootsma, Head of Business Development, Booking Experts

With this setup, De IJsvogel can:

• Automatically answer frequently asked questions
• Proactively share upsell offers, such as travel cots and linen packages
• Provide 24/7 service without additional staff

Results: higher guest satisfaction, greater efficiency, and additional revenue

Since implementing Runnr.Ai, the benefits for De IJsvogel are clear and measurable:

Guest satisfaction

• 100% of guests can be reached via WhatsApp
• 95% of guests report an improved stay thanks to Runnr.Ai
• 75% actively ask questions via WhatsApp
   

Operational efficiency

• On average, each guest asks five questions
• 90% of queries are fully handled automatically
• 75% fewer questions via phone and email
   

Additional revenue

• Automated upsells generate an average of €35 extra per accommodation
   

With Runnr.Ai now expanding to the UK, British holiday parks can achieve similar results: better guest satisfaction, smoother operations, and additional revenue without increasing staff.

“Runnr.Ai helps our guests proactively with fresh, valuable answers. As a result, we receive fewer queries at reception, and our guests are happier.”
 
— Mark Wichers, Co-owner, Vakantiepark De IJsvogel

What this means for your holiday park or campsite

Whether you have 50 pitches or 200 accommodations, the combination of Booking Experts and Runnr.Ai can help you:

• Serve more guests with the same team (or even fewer staff)
• Handle seasonal peaks without stress
• Improve guest satisfaction and reviews
   

💡 Curious how you can automate your guest communication?

Get in touch with us or explore Runnr.Ai in the Booking Experts App store.