Revenues were up 11.4 percent from January through September at Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts across the U.S. and Canada, compared to the same period last year, according to the company.
Revenues for the third quarter were up 7 percent, fueled by Jellystone Parks’ increasingly popular Halloween-themed weekend activities.
“2017 is shaping up to be our strongest year yet, and we expect our growth in revenue and occupancy to continue next year at Jellystone Parks across the U.S. and Canada,” said Jim Westover, VP of operations for Leisure Systems.
Overall revenues for 79 parks, including new parks in the Jellystone Park system, were up 11.4 percent through September, while same park revenues were up 11.2 percent. Campsite revenues were up 11.2 percent, while rental accommodation revenues were up 8.6 percent. Campground store revenues were up 10.6 percent, while ancillary revenues, such as revenues from special activities and rental equipment, were up 9.5 percent.
Jellystone Parks also saw significant gains in occupancies, especially during the week. Overall camper nights (occupancies) were up 10.3 percent, while weekday nights were up 20.3 percent. Weekend nights were actually down 5.2 percent, but that had more to do with the timing of certain holidays this year than anything else, Westover said.
Milford, Ohio-based Leisure Systems currently franchises 79 Jellystone Park campgrounds with more than 17,000 campsites and vacation rentals across the U.S. and Canada and plans to expand to more than 100 parks in the coming years. At least four new locations will be added in 2018 in Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, and North Carolina.
Jellystone Parks in North Carolina and Texas have experienced the strongest growth this year, followed by parks in Ohio, New York, and Michigan.
The five Jellystone Parks in Canada have collectively seen an 8.6 percent jump in revenue and occupancies this year.