Staycation Boom for Holiday Parks

Caravan and Lodge parks have enjoyed a purple patch over recent years with surging occupancy levels and record sales of new caravans and lodges off the park.

The rise in popularity of UK holiday park ‘staycation’ holidays can be attributed to several factors; from the weakness of the pound and the uncertainty about foreign travel, to the increase in the financial pressures on UK households.

A report from the ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) indicated that other key drivers for the staycation boom include:

• the convenience of taking a UK holiday - especially for families with young children
• increased recognition that the UK is home to a number of places of natural beauty such as the Scottish Highlands, Lake District, rugged South West coasts and glorious beaches
• it is no longer seen as a “holiday for the working classes” with the rise of high end lodge parks
• many parks have relaxed the minimum stay periods offering check-in for any day of the week for any duration
• pets are an important part of people’s lives and as well as the increase in the number of pet friendly parks, the manufacturers are churning out a wider range of pet friendly holiday homes

With the increase in visitors, park owners and operators know that it’s vital to invest heavily in the park to ensure the experience of visitors is first class and the services and facilities offered are exceptional, thereby driving visitors away from the draw of a warm and sunny two week vacation in the South of France, say.

Visitors demand high quality accommodation and if parks are not prepared to invest they will get left out in the cold. The future certainly looks bright for those parks willing to invest and adapt for the modern holiday maker.

This article was first published in Holiday Parks Management Magazine.