As the busy summer camping season approaches, a familiar drama is about to be played out in campsites across the country.
The problem of ghost booking is becoming an ever more prominent one as people increasingly reserve a spot – often at a hugely popular site – and then simply fail to turn up.
There are many possible reasons for this behaviour.
Sometimes, sites are booked ‘just in case’ people decide to go camping; sometimes people get sick or have an accident; and sometimes people are forced to book so far in advance to get a spot that their plans have changed by the time it rolls around and they simply can’t be bothered to go through the hassle of cancelling.
The spectre of empty sites in a fully-booked camp area haunts many frustrated campers.
Whatever the reason, it can be hugely disappointing for wannabe campers left unable to book a spot at a site which is often half empty.
Queensland’s Department of Environment and Science said it was acutely aware of the issue.
“Ghost bookings, where people book campsites in our national parks, state forests and recreation areas and then fail to turn up, are unfortunately very common, and occur throughout the state, even in remote areas,” a DES spokesperson said. “We don’t have hard statistics on the number of ghost bookings that occur; but our rangers have noted occasions where our popular campsites have been fully booked, yet up to 50% of sites remain empty.”
The Department says that while people can have valid reasons for not turning up to their campsite, there is an option for modifying bookings up to two days before a scheduled visit, including changing locations, dates and duration, or requesting a refund.
“These instances are very frustrating and disappointing as this means other people have no opportunity to obtain campsites when camping areas are fully booked, yet many campsites remain unoccupied,” said the spokesperson. “We ask everyone to be considerate and do the right thing by others by changing or cancelling their booking as soon as possible if they are unable to use their booked campsite.”
If the problem is growing and is causing significant frustration to many would-be campers, it begs the question ‘what else can be done about it?’.
“There are no specific penalties for failing to use a booked site,” said the DES spokesperson. “… other than losing the camping fee if a refund isn’t requested or is not applicable.”
Big Lap veteran Oliver Thomas would certainly like to see firmer action taken.
“Surely, if a site which has been booked is still empty 24 hours after it was supposed to be occupied, it should be fair game for others to use,” he said. “I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen – or not seen – ghost campers at a popular spot which was supposedly full … incredibly frustrating!”
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This is true I wanted to book a popular site in WA south west
Site said no vacancy
We arrived there at six pm of the fifty four site’s twenty three were vacant
Make people confirm their bookings 24 hours prior to arrival and if they don’t, open the booking to others.
If I’d booked a site, and turned up late, for any reason, I’d be very annoyed to find someone in my spot. Eg car breakdown, flat tyre, ….
This happens in every State pretty disappointing when you try to book and all sites booked then you go and book in a caravan park in the area then drive to these campgrounds and see empty sites this has happened to us more times than I can remember. The answer is simple because you have to use credit card to book , so if you change your mind and don’t cancel your booking within 24hrs after the booking date your credit card will have a $200 dollar debit taken , everyone will jump up and down but it might make these selfish , lazy people from spoiling people’s holidays .
Why should I cancel if I’m not getting a refund. Unfortunately that’s just the current situation.
Why shouldn’t you, if you’re not going to turn up. That is selfish….
Because is just courtesy to cancel even if you haven’t paid anything.
There is part of the problem…attitude.
Sights should only be held until 5 p.m. and then released. If someone is running late they notify and the sight should then be held over to 9. P.M. After that it is free to anyone who turns up looking for a sight.
We all have to be fair in our dealings, and I consider this to be the fairest way to go.
Easy way is have a text confirmation sent a few days before , if they don’t respond booking considered cancelled free it up for others
Impose a large bond on each site and allow no more than 2 sites booked. Other than that, no bookings and first in , first served on a single site only.
When camping you really want to arrive before dark to set up. Why not have cutoff time..say 6 pm in winter and 7 pm in summer This can be requirement when booking.
If the site is vacant after these times than you can occupy the site.
If the camper who booked arrives late then bad luck for them.They can then try to find an alternate vacant spot.