The age-old adage is true: You must indeed spend money to make money. But there’s an important caveat here:

You don’t have to spend gobs and gobs of dough to increase your profits. In fact, sometimes the tiniest tweaks are the most consequential changes. That’s what this blog is all about.

In true Bonfire fashion, we want you to stay true to yourself while we help you increase your reservations. So no, you don’t need a complete overhaul or fancy, brand new (read: costly) attractions to get new campers. We’ve curated a list of 10 simple upgrades you can make to land more reservations.

Let’s face it: Marina management can be tough. You have your inventory, your marketing and your clientele, and as boating becomes even more popular, you and your marina are likely to see even more traffic in the future. If you’re like us, you’re not content with “good enough”; you want to be a success in every sense of the word.

That’s why we’re here.

We love helping veterans and new managers alike, and we’ve compiled eight essential tips to help you steer your marina toward newfound success. Take a look.

There are few things more relaxing than drifting joyfully on a boat. But managing the place where those boats dock? That’s not always a walk in the park. Or, well, a trip on a boat.

That said, it could be a more seamless experience.

Boating, like camping, has arguably never been more popular. That popularity creates exciting opportunities — and challenges — for all marina managers.

How do you know if you’re maximizing your marina’s potential revenue? If you’re eager to try something new and increase your profits, how do you know where to start? We’ll help you answer those questions and more.

Whether you’re a veteran in the game or in the first few years of your marina management career, you can benefit from these revenue-focused tips.

Read on to see how you could make more money with your marina

Fourth of July weekend could be a massive success for your campground. After all, camping is already gaining popularity across the U.S., and exploring the great outdoors is an American institution on par with apple pie. But let’s get real: July 4 is usually scorching.

It depends where you are, of course, but for the vast majority of us, July 4 temps will be some of the hottest of the year. So, what can you do to entertain your campers (or attract new ones) while beating the heat?

We’ve got some ideas.

Consider this: A first-time boater visits your marina for a weekend. They have a terrific experience, and they decide to make regular trips to your community: say, three or four times a year. What type of bill do you use for this boater: an invoice or recurring automated payment? What about the frequent boater who decides to become an even more frequent boater and spend the whole summer at your marina? What’s the best billing option for them?

Let us help you answer those questions.

And with that gateway comes great responsibility.

Just as camping is nuanced, campers themselves vary in interests, hobbies, and, of course, length of stay. Each of these facets shapes not just how much they are charged, but also how you ask your campers to pay. That’s the focus of today’s blog: The nuances of two different yet equally critical billing systems. Together, we’ll explore invoices, automated recurring payments, and the campers and boaters who most benefit from each. And to that end, we’ve included a video breaking down the nuances of these offerings — which can also be incredibly valuable for marina managers.

Read on to explore the details of your different billing options and how they can optimize your campground management.

Camping is booming.

At this point, you’ve probably heard us say that plenty of times. But what does it mean exactly? Who is behind this boost in popularity, and most importantly, what does it mean for you and your campground?

Those questions guide today’s blog, which includes ample detailed data about the people behind this boom. That’s right: the 2021 North American Camping Report has been released, and we’re here to break it down for you.

For instance, 2021 saw an influx of first-time campers who, because of the pandemic, were most likely experiencing a little wanderlust and a desire to explore the great outdoors. In fact, that was the case for more than half (55%) of the campers surveyed in this report. And interestingly enough, this survey reveals that campers are more willing to travel farther distances for the right campground. All these insights will help you prepare your campground for the year ahead. As always, that’s what we’re here for.

Read on for more key findings, insights, and analysis.

You know better than anyone that camping is nuanced. It’s a beautiful, often emotional experience that people undergo for various reasons and during various seasons. Sometimes, what starts as a fun getaway or a one-time lark turns into a lifelong hobby. That’s why people like you are so valuable: You provide the gateway to experiences that may change someone’s life.

And with that gateway comes great responsibility.

Just as camping is nuanced, campers themselves vary in interests, hobbies, and, of course, length of stay. Each of these facets shapes not just how much they are charged, but also how you ask your campers to pay. That’s the focus of today’s blog: The nuances of two different yet equally critical billing systems. Together, we’ll explore invoices, automated recurring payments, and the campers and boaters who most benefit from each. And to that end, we’ve included a video breaking down the nuances of these offerings — which can also be incredibly valuable for marina managers.

Read on to explore the details of your different billing options and how they can optimize your campground management.

We talk a lot about elevating your campground to the next level. After all, that’s the point of this blog: to help you and your team make your operation even greater. But as you know, a key part of maintaining a top-tier campground is avoiding the many pitfalls that can arise throughout the course of any given day. Sometimes those pitfalls are things we don’t even consider. Other times, we may not realize that the steps we’ve been taking can be simplified by new tech that helps us evade mistakes big and small. That’s the point of today’s blog post: To help you identify these missteps before they can ever impact your business.

Read on as we flag five common campground management mistakes – and reveal how to avoid them.

In recent years, point-of-sale (POS) systems have undergone some incredible changes. What used to be known as a digital cash register has now become an indispensable tool for tracking inventory, managing merchandise, and ensuring your campground operates as smoothly as possible. And because we like to break down the ins, outs, and intricacies of everything you need to run a smooth operation, today’s blog is focusing on the critical components of a POS system.