Few people may have missed the fact that the last few years have been, well, let’s say a bit difficult all round!

Of course, it’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good and the recession has been good news for some sectors such as UK caravanning sites.

Yet there are some signs that things are changing.

Economy is moving

Nobody doubts that the next few years are likely to be tough for just about everyone but there are some signs that the economy is now moving again (albeit painfully slowly) having gone through crises and recession since late 2007.

During that period, continental holidays were in the doldrums as people worried and were forced to watch the pennies – yet there are signs that things are now changing.

European bookings

Some institutions such as the Caravan Club are saying that their continental bookings are finally getting back to 2007 levels after two slow years*.

That shouldn’t be too surprising.

Not only is there finally at least some movement in the economy but also sterling has recently risen against the Euro following concerns over Eurozone sovereign debt and the economic crisis in Greece and, to a lesser extent, Spain.

That means that prices are falling and a pound sterling in Europe is now going a bit further than it would have done 6-9 months ago.

Taking your caravan into Europe

So, if lower prices and at least a slight return in confidence are tempting you back overseas with your caravan – you’re unlikely to be alone.

Don’t forget though, prepare well and in advance – including making sure that your continental cover is suitable for the type of Euro-trip you’re contemplating.

Pessimism / confidence

Of course, it’s too soon to talk about things getting back to normal and it may be unlikely that we’ll see any boom years for some time – if indeed ever.

Yet if we can’t yet talk about optimism replacing the pessimism that has been around since 2007, it may be possible to interpret some current signs as indication that a degree of confidence about day-to-day life is returning.

That’s got to be good for caravanners and the caravanning industry.

*Source
http://www.caravanningnews.net/?p=1168

At the beginning of the summer, millions of tourists were stranded in airports all over the world. Weddings were missed, work schedules disrupted … and all because of an ash cloud.

Various media reports said that the International Air Transport Association estimated that airlines have lost over one billion pounds due to the volcanic eruption that stopped air travel over major airspace. Yet the British caravanning industry may benefit in the long run. Here is why caravanning could be set to gain popularity with the British public.

Caravanners are in control
The ash cloud may have caused widespread disruption, but it also caused frustration as holidaymakers lost control of their holidays. With a caravan, one of the main advantages is that the caravanner is always in control. If a road is closed, you can simply go around it. If you experience a delay in getting to your destination, why worry? You have your accommodation attached to the back of your vehicle!

The joys of caravanning are not lost on young families either, as you can fit considerably more of the paraphernalia needed for babies and toddlers into a caravan than you can into a suitcase!

Cost
We may be edging our way out of recession in the United Kingdom, but as a nation we are still too nervous to start spending thousands on holidays again.
This theory is backed up by statistics from research by caravanning trade body the National Caravan Council, which showed that 17 million fewer passengers flew out of British airports in 2009 than the previous year*.

Apart from the initial outlay of the van itself together with a yearly premium for insurance for caravans, those who choose to holiday in the United Kingdom do not have to pay much for their new hobby.

The great outdoors and going green
The green movement is growing in Britain. The Green Party even has its own Member of Parliament. So it stands to reason that greener holidays must be the way forward. And a new generation of drivers may be able to help reduce their carbon emissions on the roads – the British driving test is set to include a section on reducing carbon emissions this autumn.

According to the National Caravan Council, caravanners genuinely want to travel in as green a way as possible. Accordingly it gives tips on how to load and tow your caravan in the most economical way possible, and how to be a green tourist when you arrive at your destination.

Has this trend towards caravanning and away from foreign air travel been born out in the figures? Time will tell for 2010. But for 2009, figures for the first half of the year showed that 24% more British caravanning holidays were taken compared with the same period the previous year**.

*http://www.caravanningnews.net/?p=1063
**http://www.nationalcaravan.co.uk/home/index.asp?id=22&rid=458 (press release dated 12.10.2009)

The above old saying is first recorded in the 16th century and may even be older. Whoever coined it, they could easily have had UK caravanning holidays in mind!

That’s because of the recent events in Iceland. The volcano, aided by true ill winds, has been a nightmare for many air travellers but it may be offering a boost to the UK holiday industry and caravanning in particular.

Website bookings on some caravanning sites are 23% up on the same period last year*. Interestingly, this is in spite of some rather indifferent if not downright bad UK Spring weather that has hit us since mid-late April (depending upon where you live).

Yet is this booking improvement in the staycation entirely attributable to the volcano alone?

Some think not.

Yes, it’s true that the TV coverage of the endless queues at airports and people stuck overseas may be focussing attention again on the UK as a holiday destination but other factors are playing an equal part.

In spite of some wobbles and market confusion, Sterling is still relatively weak against many other currencies and this is pushing up the cost of some foreign holidays. That’s particularly true for families trying to plan a budget for their spending money once they have arrived at their final destination.

That plus the background economic uncertainty may also be influencing many people for whom the expensive overseas holiday is now just too big a risk to take with the family finances.

However, it may be misguided to think of this switch to UK destinations as being attributable solely to the misfortunes of holiday destinations overseas.

Many UK destinations have really got their act together over recent years and are now supplying excellent sites and facilities for caravanners as well as general holidaymakers. They realise they’re in a battle to attract the holidaymaker back from overseas destinations and they’ve learned many lessons from the past.

No longer is it necessary to think of some UK holiday destinations as offering either a challenge or an endurance test to see if you can survive roughing it. Money has been invested in many sites and this may be paying dividends.

So the predictions for 2010 and UK based holidays look good at the moment and that can only be a good think for many areas of the caravan marketplace. It’s time to check that holiday caravan insurance and set out for pastures green!

* SOURCE – Caravanning News May 10th 2010.

Lots of positive news on both the sales of new caravans and advance bookings for caravan sites!

Sales

First of all, caravan production is on the increase reports Glass’s Guide. Citing figures from the National Caravan Council (NCC), Glass’s reported that at the end of the last quarter of 2009, production of UK market touring caravans totalled 6,450 units. This was a 21.8% increase on the 5,296 produced in the same period in 2008.

This surge reflects the recent strong demand for touring caravans that UK caravan manufacturers have been experiencing.

Sales between September and November 2009 also were up on the previous year, by 4.3%. 6,265 tourers were sold in the last quarter of 2009 compared with 6,009 sales in the same months of 2008.

Glass’s recent trade survey highlighted that the demand for 2, 4, 5 and 6-berth touring caravans was well up on the same period twelve months previously, though slightly less so for twin-axle models. For manufacturers, who no doubt due to the aftershock of the economic crisis, tend to work to a more cautious level of production, this means that delivery lead-times are extending noticeably.

Manufacturers reported very little build-up of new stock and almost half confirmed their stocks were lower.

Bookings

As we mentioned a few months ago, the Camping and Caravanning Club reported advanced booking rates already up 16% compared to the same time last year. And look through any newspaper or online, and you’ll probably find something about the virtues of staycations, where people holiday in the UK.

Certainly, as various reports have highlighted, it’s not always about the money. Reasons why more Brits are choosing to holiday at home typically may include:

• it’s green – eco-friendlier than flying and you get to see a lot more looking out of the window;
• great for families – it’s easier to drive to a caravan park than load you and couple of youngsters on to a plane;
• easy to get to – less travel and chance of long delays;
• no issues – with food (if one of your group is a fussy eater) or a foreign language!

These staycations could be going somewhere in your own caravan or visiting a caravan holiday park. Whatever your holiday choice, we say – Viva the caravan!