Site bookings up 12%
Domestic holidays look like being the flavour of the summer again this year.
The majority of The Camping and Caravanning Club’s 109 Sites are now open for business with advanced bookings currently up 12 per cent on this time last year.
There has also been a 25 per cent rise in Forest Holidays Caravan & Camping bookings.
This good news comes only weeks after the new UK tourism strategy, launched by tourism minister John Penrose, revealed that it wants to see domestic breaks grow from the current 20 per cent of all longer-stay trips (four nights or more) to 29 per cent.
Director General Robert Louden is encouraged by the latest figures and said: “Domestic holidays remain a popular option, helped by the ever growing cost of air travel, poor exchange rates and the widespread travel disruption.
“Holidaying in Britain is more attractive than ever, with camping in particular allowing families to drop their stressful day-to-day routine and spend some quality time together.”
The Club, which has frozen its 2011 site fee prices before VAT on all of its UK Club Sites for the first time in 10 years, is also expecting a busy Easter period later this month with both members and non-members being urged to book early so as to avoid disappointment.
The double four-day weekends generated from Easter and the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton on Friday, April 29 has triggered a surge in those looking for an extended domestic break during April. There is the potential for holiday-goers to have as many as 11 days off work.
Louden added: “I think a lot of people are looking to make the most of the break by taking off the three days between bank holidays and our site bookings are reflecting this trend.
“Campers are also great advocates of enjoying local attractions and eating local. They love sharing their recommendations which is why the increase in campers on site is also good news for local economies.”
To book a pitch on a Club Site telephone 0845 130 7633 or 024 7647 5426 or visit: www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk