Today's tourist books late, often from a smartphone, and expects immediate confirmation. If your campsite does not have real-time availability updated across all channels, the booking goes to a competitor. Managing last-minute bookings is not just a matter of price: it is a matter of visibility and speed.
The 4 last-minute levers
- Real-time availability: the management software must instantly update Booking, Airbnb, Pitchup, and the direct website. A discrepancy of just a few hours causes double bookings or phantom pitches.
- Automatic dynamic pricing: progressively lower the price as the date approaches if the pitch is still available. +20% average occupancy according to properties that use this strategy.
- Fast response to inquiries: last-minute bookings often arrive via WhatsApp or direct email. Set up an automatic responder with availability and a booking link.
- Last-minute packages on the direct website: offer a small exclusive discount (5–10%) to those who book directly within 48 hours: you avoid OTA commissions and secure the booking.
How to configure Ovvo Camping for last-minute bookings
- 1Configure iCal synchronization: availability is updated on connected portals based on each portal's polling frequency.
- 2Configure dynamic pricing rules: -10% at 14 days, -20% at 7 days, -30% at 48 hours.
- 3Set a variable minimum stay: for last-minute bookings, accept stays of just 1 night.
- 4Enable automatic confirmation for last-minute bookings without manual verification.
Beware of last-minute cancellations: balance the strategy with a firm cancellation policy (no refund within 48 hours) to prevent guests from booking and canceling speculatively.