Travellers are increasingly using ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity to plan their holidays. Your campsite could be recommended in these responses — here’s how.
In short: AI (GEO) search optimisation is the new driver of visibility for campsites. When a traveller asks ChatGPT or Gemini “What’s the best campsite in the Gorges du Verdon?”, the AI doesn’t search a directory: it relies on the quality, structure and recency of content available online. Here are 7 practical techniques to ensure your campsite is mentioned in these responses.
By 2026, a growing number of travellers will no longer type “campsite Gorges du Verdon” into Google. Instead, they’ll open ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity or Copilot and ask directly for a personalised recommendation. The query is no longer just a keyword — it’s a conversation.
“Recommend a family-friendly campsite with a swimming pool near the Gorges du Verdon, not too expensive, and that allows dogs.” A traditional search engine cannot answer this type of question with such precision. An AI engine, however, can.
The problem is that if your campsite isn’t set up to be listed by these AI systems, it’s simply invisible on this channel. And this channel is growing every month.
To understand how to get listed, you need to understand how these AI systems work. ChatGPT and its equivalents don’t consult a database of campsites. Instead, they rely on:
In other words, AI does not recommend campsites that are objectively the ‘best’. It recommends those whose information is the clearest, most comprehensive and easiest to cite.
AI search engines look for sentences or paragraphs that they can include directly in their response. To achieve this, your content must contain short, factual and self-contained blocks. For example:
“Les Oliviers Campsite is a 3-star family campsite situated in Castellane, in the heart of the Gorges du Verdon. It offers 85 pitches, including 30 mobile homes, a heated swimming pool, a snack bar and direct access to the river. Open from April to October. Prices start from 18 euros per night for a pitch without facilities.”
This type of paragraph is perfect for AI: it contains the name, location, facilities, dates and prices. This is exactly what ChatGPT includes in its responses.
Q&As are the preferred format for AI systems. When a traveller asks, “Does Campsite X allow dogs?”, the AI looks for a short, direct answer in your FAQs. Write FAQs using real questions from your customers and factual answers of no more than two to three sentences.
Structure them using the Schema.org FAQPage markup so that Google AND AI engines can easily identify them. Each answer must stand alone — it should be understandable without having read the previous question.
AI prioritises verifiable information. Prices, number of pitches, opening dates, facilities — everything must be included on your website and updated every season. A website with 2023 prices will not be cited in 2026.
Tip: create a ‘Practical Information’ box on every page containing the key details. This box will be the first element cited by the AI.
Schema.org is a technical markup language that helps search engines and AI understand your content. For a campsite, the types to implement are:
A campsite with a complete Schema.org schema provides the AI with all the structured data it needs to make an accurate recommendation.
ChatGPT prioritises campsites that are mentioned across multiple, reliable sources. Your campsite must appear on: your own website (obviously), Google Business Profile, tourism directories (Tourist Office, CampingFrance, FNHPA Pro), online guides (Petit Fute, Routard), travel blogs, and ideally in the local press.
Every consistent mention of your campsite on a third-party site strengthens your authority in the eyes of the AI. Develop your local partnerships: tourist offices, local authority websites, and travel blogs.
AI search engines prioritise recent content. A campsite website that hasn’t been updated since 2024 will be ranked lower than a competitor whose content dates from 2026. Update your prices, photos and descriptions every season. Publish regular blog posts on local activities, events and what’s new at the campsite.
The date a page was last updated is a strong signal for AI. Fresh content = reliable content.
The more your campsite is mentioned positively across various sources (Google reviews, TripAdvisor, blogs, forums, social media), the more ‘evidence’ the AI has to recommend it. Encourage your guests to leave detailed reviews mentioning the facilities, the location and their experience. A review that says “Lovely family-friendly campsite in Castellane with a heated swimming pool and views of the Verdon” is a goldmine for the AI.
Try it for yourself. Open ChatGPT, Gemini or Perplexity and ask these questions:
This test is revealing. It shows exactly what your future customers see when they’re planning their holidays. And if your campsite isn’t on the list, a competitor will be taking the booking.
AI SEO is not a revolution that replaces traditional SEO. It is an additional layer that complements Google SEO and local SEO. Campsites that adopt it now will have a lasting competitive advantage.
To find out more, discover our campsite SEO services, which incorporate AI optimisation right from the initial audit.
Try the test with us. We’ll check your campsite’s visibility on Google, Maps and AI search engines, then propose a concrete action plan.
