Layby payments now available at Member-owned holiday parks

08 August 2017

NRMA Holiday Parks has launched a pioneering payment system for guests to pay off their camping or cabin accommodation in instalments, helping to ease the hit family holidays can have on the hip pocket.

The industry-first layby system offers guests the choice of making prepayments weekly, fortnightly or monthly at no extra charge. Holiday-makers can enjoy this payment option for bookings starting at $200.

NRMA Holiday Parks CEO Paul Davies said a recent NRMA Member survey identified cost as the biggest frustration for families when booking a holiday so the new service was an initiative to create happier holidaymakers across its 40 holiday parks around Australia.

The layby system will be available at 20 NRMA and Escape 2 branded parks from 8 August and will roll out to RAC and other holiday parks managed by NRMA in the coming months.

“We are committed to making holidays more affordable to guests, regardless of whether they choose to camp on an unpowered site or stay in an upmarket cabin,” Mr Davies said.

“Holidays are increasingly becoming a big part of the household budget and with families already struggling to make ends meet sometimes holidays are the first thing to be cut. Every Australian family deserves to get away and cost should not be the barrier holding them back.

“This new layby system allows us to offer affordable and accessible holiday accommodation with an easy way to pay in installments ahead of schedule so the cost of family holidays can be budgeted more easily.”

Mr Davies said the new payment plan was part of the NRMA’s continued commitment to invest in Australian domestic tourism, support regional communities and open up more choice for families.

“For nearly 100 years, the NRMA has been part of the great Australian road trip, and we want to preserve it as a high-quality and accessible option for future generations.

“NRMA’s portfolio of award winning holiday parks are scattered across Australia in some of the most popular and iconic tourist locations. Whether you want to immerse yourself in colonial history while staying at the Port Arthur Holiday Park in Tasmania, enjoy the snow at Jindabyne or fishing at Victor Harbour in South Australia, there’s a quality and affordable option for everyone.”

Cath and Trevor Slattery plan to put their next extended-family holiday on layby when they head down to the Central Coast of New South Wales for the Christmas school holidays with their son Calen and his six-year old daughter Molly.

“Our grand-daughter started school this year so now we have to wait until the school holidays before we can take her away. Travelling during Christmas or Easter holidays is so expensive, but knowing we can book in advance and pay it off before we get there is a huge incentive,” Mrs Slattery said.

“We don’t have much to spare but paying $30 a week is a big relief versus getting a big credit card bill at the end. I know a lot of my friends will also consider this for their holidays.

“I like the holiday park environment because it’s so safe for the kids and there is so much for them to do. Knowing we have an affordable payment plan will mean holidays are more accessible in the future.”

Guests can use the payment plan if they are booking at least two instalments out from stay date. Book a holiday now or find out more information about the payment plan.

NRMA Holiday Parks with the payment plan available include: