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The Market

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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For further media information please contact:

Casey Mead	020 7886 8450
Lewis Shields	020 7886 8449