Camping trend is just the tip of the tent pole

• Camping and caravanning 78% more popular than visiting Spain 
• Sector larger than B&B, guest house and built self-catering accommodation combined
• Two-thirds of touring caravan, motorhome and lodge searches occur outside the June – August peak period

Camping and caravanning* in the UK now accounts for 78% more trips amongst British tourists than visits to Spain. Although the growth in camping this summer has raised the profile of the industry, statistics from VisitEngland** and Pitchup.com show that camping is the smallest category within the sector, with many more consumers staying in caravans, lodges and motorhomes instead.

In 2009 camping and caravanning accounted for 76.8m UK domestic holiday bednights – or 34.5% of all UK domestic holiday bednights. This makes it the second largest accommodation category after hotels, and bigger than B&Bs, guest houses and built self-catering accommodation (such as cottages and houses) combined.

Perception has it that summer is the traditional time to take this form of break. However VisitEngland stats show that 49% of camping and caravanning trips occur outside the June – August peak period.

Data from Pitchup.com back this up with 65% of views of motorhome-related pages occurring outside the peak season. The same holds true for lodge-and touring caravan-related views, at 65% and 62% respectively. In contrast, only 48% of tent-related views occur outside the main season.

Daniel Yates, Managing Director, Pitchup.com says “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.”

ends

* includes static caravans, camping, touring caravans, and motorhomes but excludes holiday camps/villages

** source: UKTS/IPS. Domestic holiday figures exclude trips to visit friends and relatives

Notes to editors:

Of the 5,030 holiday parks and campsites listed on Pitchup.com, 812 (16%) are open all the year round. Many more close for only December and/or January.

More camping and caravanning statistics available at www.pitchup.com/about/media

About Pitchup.com

The most comprehensive website in the camping and caravanning sector, Pitchup.com was launched in July 2009 and features 5,000 campsites and holiday parks in the UK and Ireland, including many in hard-to-find locations. The website enables users to fine-tune their holiday requirements using more than 80 criteria, and features online booking and availability searches as well as mapping technology to make getting there simple too. Users can also search for accommodation near nine National Parks, hundreds of beaches, 17 World Heritage Sites and the main UK festivals and can view nearby pubs recommended by The Good Pub Guide.

Issued by Flagship Consulting

For further media information please contact:

Casey Mead     020 7886 8450 casey.mead@flagshipconsulting.co.uk

Lewis Shields   020 7886 8449 lewis.shields@flagshipconsulting.co.uk