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Facts and figures
The Market
Adverse exchange rate movements
Trends
Greater willingness to book online
Celebrities and quirky camping
- Holiday trips abroad by UK residents declined from 8.7m in Q1 2008 to 6.5m in Q1 2009, a reduction of 25 per cent (Source: MQ6, National Statistics)
- In 2007, UK residents took 18.5m camping and caravanning trips, of which camping was responsible for 4.8m trips. (Source: UKTS)
- In 2007, tourists spent some £2.8bn on their trips. (Source: UKTS)
- In 2007, some 81m tourist nights were spent in caravans, tents and motorhomes, only 8m short of the hotel and guest-house sector at 89m. (Source: UKTS)
- One in five people has taken a camping or caravanning holiday in the last three years (Source: Mintel 2009)
Adverse exchange rate movements
- In July 2009, your pound buys you 21% fewer euros than in July 2007 (Source: X-rates.com)
- In July 2009, it costs 28% more in pounds for a holiday of the same euro value, compared to July 2007 (Source: X-rates.com)
Trends
- According to VisitBritain, one in five people who holidayed abroad last year is considering a “staycation” — an extra 4.9 million domestic tourists
- Activity holidays increased by 13% between 2004 and 2008 (Source: Mintel)
- The National Caravan Council estimates that some 2m additional caravan holidays could be taken in 2009 as parks report sales increases of 25%+
- eFestivals listed just 12 music events in 2000 in 2009 already 500 events are listed
Greater willingness to book online
- According to Mintel, some 27% of domestic holidaymakers booked their last camping or caravanning holiday online in 2008, versus 13% in 2005
Celebrities and quirky camping
- Richard Hammond of Top Gear fame has published a book – a Short History of Caravans – and has destroyed 56 caravans during his time on the show
- Images of Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, Jamie Oliver and Jodie Kidd on camping trips have made camping cool again. However, celebrities have also driven a new trend in luxury camping
- Tom Cruise and wife Katie Holmes have taken camping holidays both as a family this year and previously before the birth of their daughter Suri
- Designers including Ted Baker and Cath Kidston have created stylish tents ranges. Many campsites now offer tipis, wigwams and yurts (Mongolian-style domed tents)
- UK TV programmes have increased the interest in UK camping and caravanning holidays including Coast, Rick Stein’s Food Heroes, BBC 4 Documentary Caravans – A British Love Affair and Julia Bradbury’s Railway Walks. The Caravan Channel is available four days a week from 7pm on Sky 166 and Freesat 406
- The Kabes Royal Tower at 4.5m is the tallest caravan you can buy, with two storeys and a balcony
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| Lewis Shields | 020 7886 8449 |
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