Why is Hipcamp retiring campervan hire from their platform?
Hipcamp’s mission is to get more people outside. Right now, our focus is on helping people find the best camping and glamping sites across the UK and around the world.
Through the acquisition of the Cool Camping brand, the UK is the only location that Hipcamp currently offers vehicle rentals (excluding static on-site vehicle types). Since Hipcamp acquired Cool Camping, we have not furthered our technical support for vehicle rentals or grown our vehicle rental service. And, since we will not be expanding vehicle rental into other locations, we’re confident our existing campervan owners will be better served on an alternative platform.
In order to provide the best alternative for our loyal campervan and motorhome owners and help you increase your bookings, we are excited to announce a partnership with Camplify.
When will this happen?
From 24 February 2023 we will no longer be able to take vehicle hire bookings on Hipcamp (hipcamp.com). Shortly after, the web pages with vehicle information and hire-company details will no longer be made visible to the public.
What happens next?
You should have already received an email from us explaining the transition to Camplify. Once you have given us permission, we can share some of your data with Camplify and they can help you set up your free account quickly and start taking bookings.
In addition to transferring your information from Hipcamp to Camplify, you’ll also receive the following benefits:
- A free, professional photoshoot of your vehicles
- Priority Camplify marketing opportunities ahead of Easter and Summer 2023
Why should I move to Camplify?
Camplify’s bread and butter is connecting van owners with travellers. As an owner, you get to choose when you hire your van out, and who you hire it to, and Camplify will take care of the rest. The ‘rest’ includes:
- Providing a secure online platform allowing hirers to search for, and find, your van
- Verifying and screening hirers
- Managing the hirer’s excess deposit
- Managing all other payments
- Providing roadside assistance through RAC
- Providing a friendly customer service team
- Managing any damage issues
- Global marketing to promote your van to people living in, and travelling to, the UK
You can find out more about what Camplify has to offer here.
What happens with my existing bookings?
Existing bookings and data won’t be affected. You can still log into bedful.com, as before, and see past and future bookings. All of the other administrative services Bedful provides, such as automated emails, balance payments, and security deposits will continue to function.
What if I use Bedful to take bookings on my own website?
Bedful services and subscriptions are not impacted by this change (see above). If you use Bedful to take bookings on your own website, that will not be affected. The only change is that Hipcamp will no longer provide additional bookings and we will no longer showcase your vehicles on the Hipcamp website.