A better way to do hospitality technology
Holidaymaker is the experience platform for independent hospitality. We started in 2020 with a simple question, we are a small team in Dorset, and we build everything alongside the parks and operators who use it every day.
It started with a question
In 2020 our founders asked why holiday parks could not have something like the Disney MagicBand and app. Our Head of Tech, Jamie, built the first version, and Beverley Holidays became our first client, with the guest app live in June 2020. Skelwith Fold followed.
Then the pandemic arrived, and the app helped parks keep contact to a minimum when it mattered most. It showed us what independent operators needed, and it shaped everything we have built since.
Photo: West Dorset Leisure Holidays
The way we like to work
We build with our clients, not for them. The best ideas come from a conversation on a park, so we spend a lot of time on parks.
We sit on top of the systems operators already run, so nothing gets ripped out. We would rather share what we learn than pitch, and we treat partners as friends, not suppliers.
We think hospitality technology can be friendlier, simpler and a bit more human. That is what we are building.
Our story so far
Six years from one park and one big question.
2020
Beverley Holidays became our first client and the guest app went live in June. Skelwith Fold followed.
2021 and 2022
The pandemic years. The app helped parks keep contact to a minimum while they reopened.
2023
Our first marketing and business development hires joined, and Steve Tiley became our Chairman.
2024
Hall & Woodhouse invested in Holidaymaker, and Anthony Woodhouse, their Chairman, joined our board (read their news). We grew from an app into a platform and ran our first XP Hospitality event, XP Dorset, in October.
2025
XP Beverley in March, our first XP Edinburgh and the Norfolk event, then XP Dorset at The Crown in Blandford Forum in October. New clients included LandyCampers, Merley House, Ulwell, Lulworth and Defender Campers.
2026
AI Chat went live in May. Waldgraves joined in June, Shorefield Leisure in July and Unity Holidays in September. XP events in Beverley, Cornwall, Edinburgh and Dorset. Lana Tigwell built our internal AI brain and design system.
Where we are today
50%
year on year growth since 2023
60+
clients across more than 80 sites
580,000+
guest app downloads
31
parks live on direct bookings
90%
of Beverley guests arrive with the app
The community we are building
XP is the free community at the heart of what we do. In 2026 we brought operators, partners and suppliers together at XP Beverley, XP Cornwall, XP Edinburgh and XP Dorset, to swap ideas, share what is working and meet the people behind the parks.
Between events there is the In Good Company podcast, an online community, and a growing circle of partners who work alongside the platform. Nobody is pitching. It is people helping people do hospitality better.
Photo: Holidaymaker, XP Beverley 2026
Community milestones
October 2024
XP Dorset, our first XP Hospitality event.
2025
XP Beverley in March, our first XP Edinburgh, the Norfolk event, and XP Dorset in October.
2026
XP Beverley, Cornwall, Edinburgh and Dorset. About 66 people came to each of Edinburgh and Dorset.
In Good Company
Fifteen podcast episodes across two series, with guests from across the community.
Partners
22 community partners who work alongside the platform.
Next
XP Devon on 1 December, then XP Wooda Farm near Bude in early 2027.
Who is behind it
Holidaymaker was founded by David Lakins, who leads product and operations, and Dave McRobbie, who leads growth and strategy. Jamie McDonald, our Head of Development, leads the build, and Lana Tigwell leads marketing, PR and communications. They are backed by a small, friendly team who care about the parks we work with.
Common questions
What is Holidaymaker?
Holidaymaker is the experience platform for independent hospitality. It brings the guest app, direct booking tools and AI Chat together so operators can look after guests from first enquiry to the next stay.
Who do you work with?
We work with holiday and caravan parks, glamping and camping sites and other independent operators across the UK. We have more than 60 clients across more than 80 sites. See real examples on our Case studies page.
Do we need to replace our booking system?
No. Holidaymaker sits on top of the systems you already run, so there is nothing to rip out. See how it connects on our Integrations page.
What is the XP community?
XP is our free community for people in hospitality. It brings together operators, partners and suppliers through events, the In Good Company podcast and an online space to share what is working.
Where are you based?
We are a small team based in Dorset. HolidaymakerXP is the trading name of Holidaymaker App Ltd (12699003), Wadebridge House, 16 Wadebridge Square, Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 3AQ. You can reach us through Contact us.
Platform
The guest experience platform for independent hospitality. Connect your guest journey, systems and brand, then add the products, integrations and channels that suit your site.
Case studies
See how holiday parks, campsites and visitor destinations use Holidaymaker to reach guests directly, in their own words and with their own images.
Meet the team
The people behind Holidaymaker, from our founders and Chairman to the team who build, onboard and support the parks we work with.