JELLYSTONE PARKS ANTICIPATE A VERY STRONG 2016 WITH ADVANCE RESERVATIONS AT MOST PARKS SURPASSING 2015 FIGURES

05.17.2016

MILFORD, Ohio, May 17, 2016 — Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts across much of the country anticipate a very strong summer camping season, with reservations at most campgrounds eclipsing last year’s figures.           “Jellystone Parks posted a 12.8 percent increase in same park revenues in 2015 compared to the previous year, and it’s looking like we are well on our way to surpassing last year’s occupancy and revenue figures,” said Rob Schutter, COO of Milford, Ohio-based Leisure Systems, Inc., which franchises 82 Jellystone Parks across the U.S. and Canada.           Several Jellystone Parks are already sold out for Memorial Day weekend, including campgrounds in Fremont, Pierceton and Knightstown, Ind.; Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Eufaula, Okla. Most Jellystone Parks are also reporting advance reservations running well ahead of last year’s figures.           “We sold out quicker than normal for Memorial Day,” said Larry Ladd, general manager of the Jellystone Park in Pierceton. “Fourth of July is also sold out. While we haven’t been open very long, the weekends have been very busy. Cabin reservations are very brisk.”           The Jellystone Park in Bloomington, Ind. is also nearly sold out for Memorial Day weekend. “We have one cabin left for Memorial Day. July 4th RV sites are also already completely booked, and there are several weekends in June and July that our cabins are completely booked,” said park manager Rachael Stine.           The Jellystone Park in Lawrence, Kan. is also nearly sold out for Memorial Day weekend. “It’s looking packed with only three RV sites left and all cabins full,” said general manager Shawn Blackwell.           Meanwhile, only a handful of campsites were still available for Memorial Day weekend at the Jellystone Park in Madison, Me.           “We are sold out of camper sites and we have a few tent sites open,” said Libby Foss, who co-owns and operates the Madison campground with her husband, Jeff. “The reservations for summer are looking very good.”           The Jellystone Park in Cave City, Ky. has started a waiting list for its campsites over Memorial Day weekend. Only three rental cabins were still available as of last week.           “The rest of the season is looking very good,” said Kay Pott, who co-owns and operates the campground with her husband, Bill, and daughter, Emily Moss, adding that park revenue has been up 22 percent so far this year with no price increases.           Many Jellystone Parks anticipate a busy summer camping season, including the Jellystone Park in Larkspur, Colo., outside of Denver, which reports some of the strongest increases in business.           “Our January reservation revenue was up 60 percent over January 2015; February was up 45 percent over last February; March was up 27 percent over last March; and April was up 30 percent over last April,” said Ian Steyn, who co-owns and operates the park with his wife, Sally.           He added that 2015 set an all time record for the campground.           The Jellystone Park in Sturbridge, Mass., for its part, has a few open sites for Memorial Day weekend, but it, too, is seeing an increase in business. “Seasonal campers seem to be on the rise. Rentals are also doing very well,” said James Leaming, the park’s general manager, adding, “Future reservations are up from last year about 7 percent. We are looking forward to a good year.”           For more information about Jellystone Parks across the U.S. and Canada, please visit www.CampJellystone.com.