US campgrounds to launch RV loyalty card
A new card-based rewards programme for recreational vehicle (RV) owners is being launched in Texas, USA, after the signing of a three year contract with loyalty and gift card processor Catuity Inc.
The new Premium Loyalty programme was created for the Texas-based road travel association TACO (Texas Association of Campground Owners), which currently has 430 campground members that offer services and facilities to travellers. The programme will be operated by Dallas-based Texas RV Rewards LLC, and will officially launch in May 2006.
The programme was designed to improve the association's customer acquisition efforts, and to give RV travellers the opportunity to earn extended stays and other benefits.
Incremental trade focus According to Catuity, the new points-based loyalty programme is focused on increasing daily and weekly stays for campground owners and delivering ongoing benefits for consumers when they swipe their loyalty card at the point-of-sale.
The point-spending (redemption) aspect of the programme will replace existing paper discount vouchers and also provide a new marketing channel for other hospitality industries targeting road travellers.
The technology Texas RV Rewards will deploy the Catuity-powered programme on IP and dial-enabled VeriFone Omni 3750 terminals. Catuity will provide the complete outsourced solution for all aspects of the programme at the association member level, including card production, training, support and all processing services. Additionally, through a partner company, Catuity is also providing an option for a credit and debit card processing service.
According to Brian Schaeffer, president and co-founder of Texas RV Rewards, "We believe this gives association members a better way to reach the nation's 29 million RV enthusiasts."
Expansion plans The programme roll out is planned for at least 100 locations during the first year. In addition to the initial launch in Texas, the company hopes to eventually offer the programme to all 14,000 campground owners across North America.
Schaeffer confirmed plans to target the growth of the programme beyond Texas, initially to campground owners in the Sunbelt, Great Lakes and Northeast regions of the country.
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