Carry on campers – sector is booming, says VisitEngland
Wednesday, 24 Sep, 2010
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Britain is becoming a nation of camping enthusiasts, with staying under canvas or in a campervan or caravan now 78% more popular than taking a trip to Spain.
These are the findings of VisitEngland and camping site PitchUp.com, that show that, despite common perceptions, some 49% of camping and caravanning trips take place outside the June, July, August peak holiday period.
Stats from Pitchup.com show that 65% of views of motorhome-related pages take place outside the peak season and it’s a similar story with lodge-and touring caravan-related views, at 65% and 62% respectively. Only 48% of tent-related views occur outside the main season.
The figures show that last year some 32% (76.8m) of all UK holiday bednights were accounted for by camping and caravanning holidaymakers.
This means it is the second largest category after hotels – bigger than B&Bs, guesthouses and “built” self-catering accommodation put together.
Pitchup.com managing director Daniel Yates said: “These figures demonstrate that the current camping trend is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to UK consumers taking breaks in the great outdoors.
“Whilst touring pitches, motorhomes and static caravans have always been popular, this kind of break has opened up to a much wider demographic so is now the way to holiday in the UK.
“With these statistics we want to show that the growth in the camping and caravanning sector comes not only from the more seasonal camping trips, but also from the caravan, lodge and motorhome enthusiasts who are continuing to take breaks all year round throughout Britain.
"These customers are the real drivers of what has been termed the ‘staycation’ and will continue to support Britain’s domestic holiday boom.”
by Dinah Hatch
Dinah
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