The Skills Holiday Parks Really Want in Their Sales Managers for 2026

The demand for talented Sales Managers in the holiday park sector continues to grow, and so do the expectations! Holiday Parks aren’t just looking for someone who can sell a luxury lodge, they want team members who understand people, use technology effectively, adapt to new trends and contribute to the long-term success and experience of owners on site.

If you're exploring holiday home sales advisor jobs, here are the skills that will truly set you apart in 2026.

1. Relationship Building (It's Still the Top Skill Parks Look For)

Holiday home ownership is emotional. Families are choosing where they’ll spend their holidays for years to come and they want to feel understood.

The best advisors:

• Build trust quickly

• Listen more than they talk

• Remember details about guests and owners

• Create a welcoming experience from the first hello

  
  

This is the foundation of great sales, and it aligns directly with the impact great hires have on guest experience, loyalty and long-term revenue.

2. Creative Sales Ideas & On-Park Promotions

2026 is the year where creativity from sales team will help you generate more leads and sell more holiday homes. Holiday parks increasingly value sales advisors and sales managers who can think beyond the standard tour and use fun, memorable experiences to spark conversations. This could mean creating unusual events to increase owner engagement, put together imaginative packages or come up with novel marketing ideas - the possibilities are endless!

3. Strong Maths & Financial Awareness

You don’t need to be a qualified accountant, but you do need to be confident with numbers.

Sales Advisors and selling park managers are expected to:

• Explain pitch fees, running costs and finance options

• Break down repayment examples

• Compare holiday home models clearly

• Walk buyers through affordability

• Understand commission structures

• Work out margins quickly

• Present offers without errors

  
  

Holiday home purchases involve big investments. Confidence with figures builds trust and helps avoid costly mistakes.

4. IT Skills, Admin Accuracy & Professional Systems Use

The modern Sales Manager is part salesperson, part administrator. Parks want people who are:

• Comfortable using CRM systems and internal systems

• Confident writing emails to customers with a good level of literacy

• Skilled at managing follow-ups and sales pipelines with solid diary management

• Good with digital documents and contracts, with good organisational skills

• Able to track leads and sales accurately by maintaining reports

• Professional with online communication and not shy of going on camera for videos

  
  

Parks measure everything, and that includes enquiry handling, conversion, retention, and guest satisfaction. Accuracy behind the scenes matters as much as confidence on the park tour.

5. Ability to Use AI Tools for Productivity

2026 will be the first year where AI capability becomes a real differentiator for sales roles.

Advisors who know how to use AI can:

Parks are increasingly looking for people who are tech-positive, adaptable, and efficient and AI is a big part of that shift. This ties into the wider industry move towards improved candidate experience and more strategic use of digital tools.

6. Resilience, Motivation & Ownership Mindset

Holiday home sales advisors often manage their own mini-business within the park. The best performers:

• Take ownership of their pipeline

• Follow up consistently

• Bounce back from no-shows

• Proactively create their own opportunities

• See setbacks as part of the journey

  
  

In 2026, parks want advisors who can work independently but also align with the bigger picture, guest satisfaction, owner retention, and revenue growth.

7. Communication & Soft Skills (The Real Deal-Closer)

Soft skills remain the most important deciding factor in choosing the right candidate.

These skills directly influence guest experience and owner loyalty, the core drivers behind repeat business and upgrades.

8. Sales Managers that Understand the Bigger Picture of Park Operations

Advisors don’t work in a bubble. Parks love candidates who understand the struggles of other teams and wider business goals, that means anythign from the culture of the park, relationship building with other departments.

Why These Skills Matter For Sales Managers in 2026

The holiday park industry is evolving fast. Parks are investing more in:

• Customer experience

• Digital tools

• Owner communities

• Higher-quality holiday home stock

• Long-term retention strategies

  
  

A Sales Advisor in 2026 isn’t just selling - they’re shaping the owner journey, influencing revenue, and helping the park grow. This is exactly why parks prioritise great hires who understand the commercial impact of their role.

Looking for a Holiday Home Sales Advisor Role?

If you're exploring holiday home sales advisor jobs, the HPL team can help you:

• Understand the role

• Prepare for interviews

• Improve your CV

• Match with parks that invest in training, culture, and long-term development

• Step into the industry with confidence

  
  

We specialise in skilled roles across the holiday park sector and support candidates at every step so get in touch today.