Outdoor Hospitality Weekly

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly, Matt and Alex sit down with Zahner Habib, founder of Ferociter, to explore how AI is transforming outdoor hospitality and what campground operators can do to get started.The conversation goes beyond basic AI tools to explore real-world applications in campground operations, marketing, revenue management, and back-office automation. Drawing on past projects we discuss the opportunities, challenges, and lessons learned from implementing AI across hospitality businesses.From simplifying repetitive tasks and building better workflows to overcoming the learning curve and turning AI into a revenue driver, this episode offers a practical look at how operators can start small, experiment, and build toward more advanced solutions.To subscribe and see all of our content for free, join our Substack: ohweekly.substack.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ohweekly.substack.com

In this solo edition of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly, lets break down the massive, industry-shaking news that just dropped: Patrick Industries and LCI Industries (Lippert) have officially agreed to combine in an all-stock merger valued at a staggering $7.7 billion in enterprise value. As two of the absolute largest giants in the RV component space, this historic merger of almost equals is set to reshape the landscape for manufacturers and everyday RVers alike. Alex dives into his immediate gut reaction, exploring the massive financial footprint of this new mega-company, the leadership shakeup following Jason Lippert’s recent retirement, and the undeniable trickle-down effect this consolidation will have on aftermarket competition and consumer choice.With new RV retail sales already down double digits heading into the middle of 2026, what does this new era of consolidated power mean for the future of RV manufacturing and pricing?To subscribe and see all of our content for free, join our Substack: ohweekly.substack.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ohweekly.substack.com

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly, we sit down with Garrett McKinnon to talk about the future of campground discovery, AI-powered trip planning, and evolving camper behavior.Garrett shares how CampgroundViews has grown into one of the industry’s leading virtual tour and trip-planning platforms, helping campers explore parks before they book while giving operators new ways to market their properties.The conversation dives into AI tools, virtual tours, midweek demand challenges, experiential travel, remote work trends, and how campground operators can create more compelling reasons for guests to travel and return. Garrett also shares insights from partnerships with RecPro and Campground Brokers of America, along with broader thoughts on where the outdoor hospitality industry is headed next.To subscribe and see all of our content for free, join our Substack: ohweekly.substack.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ohweekly.substack.com

In this special solo edition of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly, Alex reflects on Memorial Day weekend and what the first major holiday of the camping season revealed about the state of outdoor hospitality.Drawing from new AAA travel data, KOA research, and firsthand operational experience, he breaks down the mixed signals campground operators are seeing across the industry—from softer RV sales and shorter booking windows to strong demand for local, experience-driven travel.The episode explores how camping behavior is evolving, why occupancy alone no longer tells the full story, and how parks are adapting through long-term stays, hyper-local marketing, and experience-focused hospitality strategies.To subscribe and see all of our content for free, join our Substack: ohweekly.substack.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ohweekly.substack.com

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly, we break down the latest industry trends, economic pressures, and market shifts impacting campgrounds, RV parks, and outdoor hospitality operators across the country.The conversation covers Matt’s trip to the Florida & Alabama RV Park Conference, where AI, rising payroll costs, park valuations, and increasing competition dominated discussions among operators and investors. We also unpack the latest developments surrounding Sandy Pines Campground in Maine and what its bankruptcy proceedings could signal for high-profile outdoor hospitality assets.We dive into the newly released 2026 Outdoor Hospitality Industry Outlook Report, discussing occupancy trends, ADR, RevPAS, rising credit card processing costs, staffing challenges, and the growing divide between transient and long-term campground business models.Finally, we revisit the proposed Lippert and Patrick Industries merger and what its collapse could mean for RV manufacturers, campground operators, and the broader RV ecosystem.To subscribe and see all of our content for free, join our Substack: ohweekly.substack.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ohweekly.substack.com

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly, we sit down with Billy Rhyne, developer of Horseshoe Ridge RV Resort in Wimberley, Texas, to break down what it actually takes to build a high-end RV resort from the ground up.Billy shares his journey from working in software with no prior experience in outdoor hospitality to developing a luxury, amenity-rich RV resort in the Texas Hill Country. We dive into the full process—from finding the property and navigating complex entitlements to self-performing construction and delivering a high-end guest experience.We also explore the realities of operations after opening, including lessons learned from third-party management, and Billy’s deep dive into marketing—from firing multiple agencies to building his own conversion tracking systems, AI-driven SEO tools, and automated email campaigns.This is a candid look at the complexity behind building and operating a modern RV resort—and the level of detail, effort, and persistence it takes to do it right.To subscribe and see all of our content for free, join our Substack: ohweekly.substack.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ohweekly.substack.com

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly, we break down the latest industry data, major hotel brand expansion into outdoor hospitality, and new signals from the RV market.We unpack insights from the 2026 KOA report and Campspot’s Q1 data, including shifting demand, changing camper demographics, and the evolving balance between occupancy and pricing.We also cover continued hotel entry into the space—from Best Western’s new glamping collection to Under Canvas expanding near Yosemite—and what it means for independent operators.Finally, we dive into major RV industry news, including a potential merger between Lippert and Patrick Industries and what slowing RV sales could signal for the broader market.To subscribe and see all of our content for free, join our Substack: ohweekly.substack.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ohweekly.substack.com

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly, we go deep on AI in our first AI “Tech Corner” takeover—breaking down the real tools, workflows, and use cases we’re actively using across campground operations, investing, and day-to-day work.Matt shares his experience building with Claude Code and OpenClaw, including how AI agents actually work, what it takes to set them up, and the reality behind automation. We also unpack the shifting economics of AI, including recent pricing changes from Anthropic and what they signal for the future of AI tools.On the operations side, Alex walks through how AI is already impacting campground revenue management, highlighting new predictive pricing and occupancy tools inside reservation systems like Campspot—and how even single-location operators can now leverage data like a full-scale revenue manager.----AI Tools Mentioned in the Episode:Claude (Anthropic) – https://www.anthropic.comClaude Code / Claude Desktop / Claude AI – https://claude.aiOpenAI / ChatGPT – https://www.openai.comOpenClaw – https://openclaw.ai/Claude API (Anthropic API) – https://console.anthropic.comOpenAI API – https://platform.openai.comGemma (Google) – https://ai.google.dev/gemmaCampspot AI-Powered Occupancy & Pricing Predictions: https://software.campspot.com/blog/now-live-ai-powered-occupancy-prediction-and-pricing-recommendations/----To subscribe and see all of our content for free, join our Substack: ohweekly.substack.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ohweekly.substack.com

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly, we break down a major shift in campground demand: the growing role of events, experiences, and timing in driving bookings.We explore how large-scale events like the World Cup and Route 66 anniversaries are creating massive but short-term demand spikes, and what operators can learn from failed and successful development attempts tied to those opportunities. We also dive into the rise of experiential programming, using Terramor’s wellness retreat as a case study in how campgrounds can create reasons for guests to return—not just places to stay.Finally, we discuss operational efficiency for smaller parks, including new staffing models that help reduce payroll pressure while maintaining strong guest service.To subscribe and see all of our content for free, join our Substack: ohweekly.substack.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ohweekly.substack.com

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly, we break down one of the biggest shifts in the industry: major hotel brands entering the campground space and converting traditional properties into higher-end lodging experiences.We discuss recent development case studies, the growing role of loyalty programs from brands like Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott, and what this means for independent operators navigating a more competitive landscape.We also dive into early January 2026 RV sales data showing a sharp year-over-year decline, rising gas prices, and what those macro trends could mean for demand this season.Finally, we touch on guest experience strategy from themed properties and “world-building” concepts to simple ways operators can stand out, as well as how AI is beginning to reshape everything from data analysis to day-to-day operations.To subscribe and see all of our content for free, join our Substack: ohweekly.substack.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ohweekly.substack.com