Thursday, 08 June 2017 10:55

Potential for farmers to cash in on Lions

Written by 
Adam Hutchinson. Adam Hutchinson.

Farmers and lifestyle block-owners can cash in on the wave of motorhome tourists here for the Lions rugby tour, says the developer of an app called CamperMate.

The app is pre-installed on Tom Tom in Maui, Britz and Mighty rental vehicles. It will enable drivers to ‘rent’ a small plot for their vehicle.

Adam Hutchinson says the app will alert 35,000 tourists a day to 1700 camping locations.

He got the idea from seeing motorhomers’ liking for recreation clubs’ carparks. How about also scenic farm spots and lifestyle properties, he thought.

Rugby tourists are likely to relish an alternative to tar-sealed overnight stops, and chose locations off the beaten track, he claims.

“With freedom camping regulations changing there’s a rise in motorhomers seeking smaller spaces.... Drivers of certified-self contained vehicles need only a driveway for the night.”

Tourists book a listing through the app and CamperMate handles the credit card payment, which triggers an email to the host with guest details.

Within a week, the company pays the host 80% of the total revenue.

“We manage the entire booking process and deposit the revenue directly into your account once a week.” CamperMate charges 20% commission to cover its merchant, booking and credit card fees.

Property owners conscious of their health and safety obligations when hosting can get data specific to their property to give to guests through the app.

Also to keep legal, CamperMate only takes a booking for a single vehicle per night. That’s why it offers a rate per vehicle rather than per person.

A host can decide their own nightly rate per vehicle, Hutchinson says. He suggests $10/vehicle for a basic parking space with no amenities.

“And increase the price if offering water, power, shower, toilet, wifi, a welcome drink, homemade snacks, etc. Location, privacy and stunning views also add to the value.”

All that’s needed is a private flat area to park a motorhome safely overnight. The property owner can specify whether a site is suitable for self-contained or non-self-contained vehicles.

More like this

That'll do!

OPINION: While most of the country is still lamenting the All Blacks one point loss to the South Africans in the Rugby World Cup final, the Hound – always on the outlook for a cloud with silver lining – found one bright spot on the sporting front.

JCB goes ‘All Black’

It's fitting in a Rugby World Cup year – and with a draw that looks like New Zealand will be somewhere near the end of the tournament – that JCB distributor Landpower has introduced a special version of the 435S-Agri wheeled loader.

Featured

Funding boost for red meat

Two major red meat sector projects are getting up to a combined $1.7 million in funding from the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB).

Otago's supreme winner

Angus Barr and Tara Dwyer of The Wandle, Lone Star Farms in Strath Taieri have been named the Regional Supreme Winners at the Otago Ballance Farm Environment Awards in Dunedin.

Editorial: Wake up Wellington

OPINION: The distress that the politicians and bureaucrats are causing to the people of Wairoa and the wider Tairāwhiti is unforgivable.

TV series to combat food waste

Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.

National

Machinery & Products

PM opens new Power Farming facility

Morrinsville based Power Farming Group has launched a flagship New Zealand facility in partnership with global construction manufacturer JCB Construction.

AGTEK and ARGO part ways

After 12 years of representing the Landini and McCormick brands in New Zealand, Bay of Plenty-based AGTEK and the brands’…

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Cut with care

OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.

Bubble burst!

OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter