A long-time visitor to the Cotton Tree Holiday Park on the Sunshine Coast has raised concerns over a significant price increase for site fees, reflecting broader trends in the outdoor hospitality industry as businesses adjust pricing to account for rising operational costs.
Chris Symons, who has camped at the park every January for nearly four decades, said she was surprised to find that her usual four-week stay would cost 35% more in 2026 compared to this year.
The cost for her family’s site, which was about $525 per week in January, will rise to $714 per week. “We’ve always had increases,” Symons said in an article published by Sunshine Coast News.
“It might have gone from $460 to $480, or it might have gone from $485 to $540, but all of a sudden we’ve gone from whatever it was, $520, to now we’re paying $700 a week. Thirty-five percent – that’s unbelievable.”
The fee adjustments at Cotton Tree Holiday Park are part of a larger shift within the outdoor accommodation sector, where dynamic pricing models are increasingly being used to optimize revenue based on demand.
A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson explained that pricing is influenced by various operational expenses, including power, water, gas, insurance, and wages.
“To ensure we continue providing an excellent holiday experience and investing in our amenities, we have made necessary price adjustments,” the spokesperson said. “As is very common within the accommodation and travel industry, council employs dynamic pricing.”
According to the council, dynamic pricing adjustments are capped at 20%, though Symons’ increase appears to exceed this limit. The council maintains that its holiday parks remain among the more affordable options in the region.
For operators in the outdoor hospitality sector, the situation highlights the challenges of balancing rising costs with guest expectations.
While many parks are implementing dynamic pricing strategies to remain competitive, transparency in pricing structures and justification for rate increases remain crucial in maintaining guest trust.
Additionally, shifting payment policies, such as requiring full payment further in advance, may impact guest booking behaviors and necessitate more flexible cancellation or refund policies.
Comparatively, Noosa Shire’s council-owned holiday parks have implemented more modest rate increases, ranging from 2.5% to 4.4%, depending on peak or off-peak seasons.
These differences in pricing strategies may serve as a reference for park operators looking to fine-tune their own approaches.
As demand for outdoor accommodations remains strong, industry professionals may need to consider how pricing models and cost structures impact long-term guest retention and satisfaction, particularly among repeat visitors.