holiday park owner is calling on the Government for greater flexibility in the reopening of self-catering sites such as his own post-lockdown.
Most businesses in the domestic tourism industry – including caravan parks, self-catering sites and cottages – are expected to remain closed until at least July 4 because of the Covid-19 crisis. But the British Holiday and Home Parks Association, which represents more than 2,000 holiday and touring parks, is urging officials not to lump the entire industry together as the risk of virus transmission is much lower in open-air settings. Jamie Lamb, owner of Barmoor Castle Country Park, is one of the business owners seeking more clarity on how his vast 200-acre site can reopen following months of lockdown. He said: “There is a lot of confusion in the holiday park community over when and how we will be able to reopen following the easing of the lockdown. “But the Government seems to be tarring the whole hospitality and leisure industries with one brush, treating businesses like mine the same as restaurants and bars despite the huge differences in how we operate. “At Barmoor Castle, our self-sufficient caravans and lodges have considerable space between them and it is an ideal place to practice social distancing. “We have been working very hard in recent months to make the park as safe as possible for when we reopen, including closing communal areas and upgrading facilities. “There simply isn’t the same risk here as there would be in more crowded hospitality and leisure industries. “This is a very tough time for small and medium-sized businesses across the country and yet the advice many of us are receiving is vague and unhelpful. “Allowing businesses like mine to reopen sooner would be a major shot in the arm for the local economy and help save jobs and livelihoods.” The site is one of 2,133 holiday and touring parks represented by the British Holiday and Home Parks Association, which has written to the Government to call for greater support to address the plight of seasonal tourism businesses. Domestic tourism is expected to rise this year as restrictions on flying abroad causes families to rethink their usual summer getaways. Hospitality and leisure facilities such as Barmoor Castle fall into Step Three of the Government’s easing of lockdown restrictions, but officials want holiday homes to be brought into Step Two instead. In a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the BH&HPA’s Director General Ros Pritchard said: “One size does not fit all. We ask please that urgent consideration is given to allowing our customers access to self-contained accommodation without shared facilities in Step Two. “For households which own their holiday caravan, the social distancing requirements would be identical to those they already follow in their primary residence. “For holidaymakers who rent holiday caravans and other accommodation from us (without shared facilities),we have well-developed social distancing measures which would safeguard against the risk of infection. “Consideration to allow those customers who may return safely to do so as soon as possible would assist these distressed tourism businesses. “This would also support our beleaguered manufacturing supply chain and in turn, the employment they provide.” Barmoor Castle Country Park, based near Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, is one of the UK’s most popular luxury lodge and caravan parks. In 1979, farmer Hedley Lamb and wife Ann bought the derelict castle and 12 surrounding acres and embarked on an ambitious project to turn it into a sought-after caravan park. Following 11 years of careful restoration and building, the park opened in 1990 and over time it became a much-loved family business that is now run by the couple’s son Jamie and his wife Jodi. www.barmoorcastle.co.uk
A socially distant staycation
How to attract customers to safely enjoy holiday homes With COVID-19 causing international travel uncertainty, UK holiday bookings are up by 60 per cent. With social distancing still a priority, how can holiday park managers safely attract customers for the summer season? Here, Nick Cowley, managing director at leading window and door manufacturer Euramax, explores the access technologies that can help ensure holidaymakers have a safe and enjoyable break. UK flights declined by 90 per cent during the lockdown period, as part of efforts to control the spread of coronavirus. Despite the easing of some measures, many people are understandably still hesitant to fly internationally in the near future. However, many people have felt the strain of lockdown and are looking for a way to lift spirits and make the most of the summer months. A local holiday, or staycation, is becoming a favourable option. In fact, the luxury of international travel has previously made many neglect the array of places to visit on our doorstep. Holiday parks are a great option, as the separate holiday home units are already distanced apart, making them naturally more equipped for social distancing than hotels. With this renewed interest in UK holidays, it’s important that holiday park managers take advantage of this opportunity, while also taking measures to ensure visitor safety once parks are permitted to open their gates. Keep it clean Holiday park managers must ensure a deep clean is conducted prior to each check in, making sure disinfectant is used and particular attention is paid to all touch points within the holiday home. Extra care must be taken by cleaning staff to prevent cross contamination between holiday homes. This can be achieved through frequent hand sanitation, changing into fresh personal protective equipment (PPE) and wiping down cleaning equipment before entering another unit. As well as ensuring park staff take precautions, it may be wise to advise visitors on the safety measures they can take. This could include information provided on the holiday park’s website or in the booking confirmation email. Equipping holiday homes with soaps, hand sanitisers, face masks and disinfectant sprays or wipes can further ensure their safety. Get SMART Remote access is often associated with industrial processes, allowing plant manufacturing facility managers to monitor production lines across the globe. However, holiday home owners can take inspiration from this method of supervision and create systems that support property management with minimal contact. Digital locks have become a popular way of transferring access to guests without hassle — and they can do much more than simply opening and closing the door. Guests receive a unique access code via their smartphone, which remains active for the duration of their stay. Authorised users simply point their phone in the direction of the door lock to gain access, reducing the need to handle keys and contact with frequently touched areas on windows and doors. Remote access also eliminates the need for contact between guests and park owners upon checking in and out. QR codes are activated and disactivated when guests enter and leave the property, meaning physical and property safety remain uncompromised. Maintaining the property can also be optimised using smart technology. Holiday homeowners can assign different codes to site managers, handymen or housekeeping staff to give easy access in the event of an emergency repair or to track how long they’ve been at the property. The activation of different codes can also ensure that nobody else is present at the property, should maintenance staff need to enter. Euramax is experienced in manufacturing windows and doors for the holiday home sector, and can incorporate SMART technology from the beginning of the design process. This saves time and cost while also reducing maintenance, as there is no need to remove windows or doors after they have been installed to retrofit technology changes. In order for SMART technology to work, full Wi-Fi access must be available across the entire holiday site. This has the added bonus of providing visitors with more entertainment inside their holiday home. Maintain fun Promoting safety measures is important, but holiday parks should still focus on ensuring visitors have an enjoyable stay. With restaurants awaiting a return to normality, park managers could consider offering a takeaway service so visitors can still enjoy a tasty treat. Some other onsite facilities, such as mini golf courses and swimming pools, may also be closed, but parks can instead promote activities in the surrounding area. Recommending local outdoor activities, such as hiking, rock pooling and bird watching, can attract customers to holiday parks despite the closure of onsite activities. However, visitors can still enjoy exploring the holiday park site safely if a one way system, with two metre markers, is incorporated. While international travel uncertainty is still looming, holiday park managers can take advantage of the surge in UK holiday interest. By keeping to strict hygiene and social distancing measures, holiday park managers can invite customers to a welcomed holiday post lockdown. With the great British countryside and coastline to explore, holidaymakers can soon enjoy a great summer holiday, without the need to fly.
Holiday Park’s will be the getaway of choice when lockdown is lifted
Here, Adam Jurka at Ramtech looks at why UK holiday parks will be this year’s getaway of choice when the lockdown is lifted. If you thought that a Spanish beach holiday was going to be your holiday destination, get ready to enjoy the delights of a UK holiday park this summer. Parks are set for a staycation boom once the travel restrictions are eased as more Britain’s abandon their plans for travelling abroad, and operators eye up the opportunities that will arise from a surge in demand for domestic breaks. Park operators are particularly hopeful of being able to welcome guests this summer because their facilities are ideal for social distancing. With self-contained units, contactless check-ins and the ability to drive right up to your door as well as being completely self-catering, holidays parks don’t get much safer. And, given the size and extensive nature of parks, social distancing is eminently possible for the duration of the holiday. With the parks located in some of the UK’s most scenic areas, there are few better places to get away from it all this summer. Holidaymakers themselves get a break they can rely on with all the comforts of home, without the hassle of overseas travel. It must also be in the back of everyone’s mind about being stranded somewhere in a foreign country should the worst happen. And who can predict what comes next in this saga? Operators are already seeing a significant increase in people searching for UK breaks. All this is good news for park operators that can deliver a fantastic experience for customers, whilst creating an efficient and safe working environment for staff. In order to achieve this, operators are choosing business information and monitoring platforms that provide real time alerts and date remotely about security coverage, energy metering, fire safety, equipment failure, occupancy monitoring, staff management, contactless checkin-checkout and access history. Stay connected Creating a home from home holiday experience for guests that are used to full connectivity and control can present a challenge to park owners. Many holidaymakers view their technology as an essential part of the holiday experience, whether it’s Instagramming the accommodation or sharing snaps about their trip. The benefits of technology aren’t just restricted to the rooms, either. Holiday parks need to make their guests’ holidays as seamless as possible. The varying size of the accommodation, length of stays and diversity in the landscape – plus additional numbers of staycations forecast for this year – means that changeover days are likely to be hectic. Guests can often overlook this, although operators that embrace technology can ensure that their customers’ holiday is as enjoyable as it should be. Using this kind of smart technology on the park, such as our WiSE system, allows managers to map the cleaned accommodation in real-time to swiftly release it to the next customer promptly, smoothing the handover process and enabling managers to deploy staff where they are needed most. When guests arrive at their accommodation the same technology can facilitate a ‘smart’ stay with an array of connected wireless, battery operated devices monitoring all elements of the property. This kind of technology has the potential to improve the holiday experience with automated billing for efficient tracking of periodic site fees, insurance or utility bills. Plus, there is the possibility of smart metering for easy access and analysis of electricity, gas and water meters as well as billing from a central location. Capturing and logging occupancy data, too, will allow operators to manage arrival days, reduce cleaning costs, track maintenance visits, monitor security patrols and manage third party contractor management. Wish you were here? By using these devices, parks will be able to harness data to pre-empt their guest’s needs and even offer automated customisation for individuals, tailoring their holiday experience even further. It’s clear that data tracking can offer a step change allowing park managers and their staff to run their business more effectively through insight driven operations. By automating and simplifying tasks, parks can enhance their engagement with guests, staff and visitors, which is the experience that customers remember long after they go home. So, to start on your journey to becoming this year’s favourite holiday destination, simply look at how incorporating relevant technology to your park can bring about a positive change to how you work. We understand that it has been painful for everyone in the sector so far this year, but we are here to support you. For more information on Ramtech Electronics’ WiSE technology, click here, or call 00 44 (0) 115 957 8282
Survey show campers expectations for summer ahead, but lack of government advice worries site owners
With the camping industry lacking clear guidelines on how to open safely for the summer, a survey of 7,000 people has shined a light on campers expectations for the months ahead. Conducted by camping and glamping specialist Campsites.co.uk (https://www.campsites.co.uk/resources/coronavirus-survey-results), the study finds that 91% of people say they think tourism should be opened up by the beginning of July, and details the raft of changes they believe sites must make to keep guests safe. Demand for travel is high In a sign of people’s eagerness to get away, 43% of those polled say campsites should open before July. This isn’t just the view of frustrated millennials and stressed out parents. 42% of respondents aged 65 and over said the same. Encouragingly for business owners, people are warming to the idea of buying holidays again. Just over a quarter (27%) of respondents say they are ready to book now, 23% will book a few weeks ahead before they travel, and 28% plan to book within a week of departing. Only 17% say they are definitely not ready to book. Customers expect campsites to change There are huge levels of interest in camping for the summer ahead, but the majority of those polled expect campsites to reduce pitches to manage social distancing, 53% think campsites should close one in four of their pitches 23% expect sites to cut the number of pitches by half Reducing pitches is just one of the steps guests want campsites to take. Among the most popular measures suggested are, More regular and enhanced cleaning (77%) Installing hand sanitiser stations (75%) Setting policies about onsite etiquette (72%) Pre-allocating pitches and ensuring they are set well apart (67%) Offering a contactless check-in and check-out (66%) Providing advice before arrival (47%) Moving receptions outdoors, or giving guests a mobile number to text (43%) Adding floor markings to help with social distancing (42%) Travellers are likely to shun many of the usual shared facilities, saying they won’t use swimming pools (62%), indoor soft play (79%), games rooms (72%) and outdoor adventure playgrounds (61%) even if they are available. However, 85% expect showers to be open and almost 70% of tent and camper van guests would use them if available. 45% of respondents want sites to allocate shower and toilet facilities to guests or sets of guests. Martin Smith, founder of Campsites.co.uk, says this is an example of the challenges facing the industry for the season ahead: “Campsite owners need the Government to publish clear advice in the same way it has for other sectors, such as offices and retail. “Much of the advice that has come out so far has been geared towards holiday parks and touring sites where caravan accommodation is self contained. But the situation for tents and glamping, where shared facilities are essential, is much less clear. “Shower blocks is a good example of the uncertainty facing campsite owners. Customers expect them to be open, but campsites don’t know if it is safe. They need help to be sure. “Campsite owners tell us that they may need to close their tent pitches and focus solely on touring which, for many, will make a bad year even worse. “There is clearly demand from customers who are ready and willing to travel, but the campsite industry needs clear advice so they can open up safely and confidently. “Visit Britain has talked about introducing a Kitemark to help accommodation owners prove they are adhering to the highest COVID-19 safety standards. That sort of advice is needed urgently if campsites are to have time to put the recommendations in place for the start of summer.” Despite their concern for using many shared facilities, more than 60% of those surveyed say they will be happy to use onsite cafés and restaurants, and over 90% will go to the campsite shop. The survey suggests campsite owners face a difficult decision over whether to raise prices to try and offset their losses for the year so far. When asked if they would be happy to pay a surcharge to help cover the campsite’s additional costs, 24% said yes and 27% said no, with 49% undecided. The research is available to all campsite owners for free at Campsites.co.uk, https://www.campsites.co.uk/resources/coronavirus-survey-results
Say ‘Pasta la Vista’ to Plastic and Paper Straws: Stroodles, The Pasta Straws
A pasta straw company, Stroodles, has launched to provide an environmentally friendly solution to the single-use plastic crisis and rise of greenwashing from the paper straw industry. In comparison to soggy paper and plastic straws, Stroodles are an improvement as they provide greater durability, are flavourless, vegan, 100% biodegradable and are edible raw or cooked after use. A core principle for Stroodles is their ‘drink-easy’ ethos, meaning drinkers don’t have to change behaviour or compromise on drinking experience to do good for the environment. Speaking about the inception of his pasta straws, Chief Stroodle and Founder, Maxim Gelmann, says: “While we’re a very logical and effortless solution to the plastic problem, Stroodles is not just a straw company. Our driving goal is to become a vehicle for change and we hope that Stroodles can act as an enabler, subtly inspiring people to question how they consume everyday items. We hope these incremental changes will lead to a ripple effect and create a greater shift in behaviour, one Stroodle at a time.” Stroodles caters to both, the on-trade and Direct Consumers (so-called ‘Stroodlers’) As of End of June 2020, Stroodles is changing their retail offering. 20cm Stroodles will then be available to purchase online and in-store at an RRP of £2.99 for a pack of 40 + delivery. The concept of conscious consumerism also extends to Stroodles’ business model and operation. A share of each sale is donated to local charities. For the hospitality industry, Stroodles are also available in bulk orders of 775 per pack. Stroodles are available online at www.stroodles.co.uk and multiple resellers and at Amazon in UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain.
Glastonbury touring park will re-open with triple triumph
It may be closed to guests now, but Glastonbury’s Old Oaks Touring and Glamping Park is getting set for a special celebration when it gets the go-ahead to welcome visitors once again. That’s because the family-run park has just scored a hat-trick of awards in a national poll carried out by the UK’s two top touring magazines. The readers of Practical Caravan and Practical Motorhome voted Old Oaks as their favourite park on which to stay in Somerset, Avon and Wiltshire Dorset. In the same annual poll, readers also named Old Oaks as Britain’s best park for enjoying adults-only stays which are free from the patter of tiny feet. And completing the hat trick of honours, the publication presented the park with its national award for the Best Green Site in the UK for eco-friendly holidays. Old Oaks has been in the same family’s ownership for over 30 years, and is managed by family members Tara White and her husband James. As well as touring pitches, the park provides a range of exciting glamping options including luxurious fully-equipped mini cedar lodges, shepherds huts and cosy camping cabins. According to Tara, the park’s temporary closure has provided an opportunity to put the finishing touches to a number of new projects started earlier in the year: “We’ve completed a wheelchair-friendly path around our woodland walk and half-acre lake, and upgrading twelve of the fishing platforms,” she said. “Our glamping pods now have brick-built fire pits, and we’re close to completing the upgrade of our dish-washer facilities, and making it possible for guests to choose their preferred pitch from our website. We’re also keeping our grounds wildlife-friendly by putting in extra hedgehog houses and seeding new wildflower areas to provide vital foraging for honey bees and butterflies. These new awards are a fantastic honour, especially as they have resulted from votes by our customers – and we can’t wait to welcome them back again!” added Tara. Not that the Old Oaks is any stranger to accolades for it already holds the prestigious AA Platinum Award, and the highly-regarded five-star grading from Visit England. It is also a member of the Best of British group of top-rated independent parks with verified quality standards. There is more about the Old Oaks on its website at www.theoldoaks.co.uk
Cumbria park plans a wild welcome when visitors return
A popular Ambleside holiday park, Skelwith Fold, has called a temporary halt to its plans to carve out a celebration of local wildlife life in its 130 acres of woodland. But there is a silver lining, it says, because when guests are allowed to return, they will be able to witness one of the region’s most acclaimed wood sculptors at work. Owls, red squirrels, foxes, badgers and deer will all be seen taking shape throughout the grounds from blown-down trees and others needing to be felled. They are being created by timber carving artist James Shelliker who lives near Preston, but who works extensively at sites in the Lake District including Muncaster Castle. Henry Wild, who helps run his family’s park business, says he hopes the animals and birds will stand as a testament to nature’s resilience long after the present crisis is over: “We are we are doing everything to ensure that when we do re-open, our park will quickly return to the happy and cheerful environment which our customers remember,” he said. “Many families who come here take a particular pleasure in spotting our glorious wildlife, so we thought it would be great to celebrate this part of our natural heritage. James has had to hang up his chainsaws and chisels while the park is closed, but will be straight back on the job when we are allowed to welcome guests back. It’s fascinating to see him sculpting birds and woodland creatures around the park, and now he will be able to have a live audience when we open our gates again. Regarding the present situation, real fears have been expressed about the Lake District’s £3 billion tourism industry and the 65,000 jobs it provides. These are wholly justified, and it’s certainly the case that our sector will need as much support as the Government can provide. But Cumbria has always been an extremely resilient county, as we saw in the foot and mouth outbreak almost twenty years ago from which we also bounced back,” added Henry. Skelwith Fold, which provides around 450 pitches for touring caravans, privately owned holiday homes and glamping accommodation, has won a number of top awards for its environmental care. Henry Wild is director of the Cumbria branch of the British Holiday and Home Parks Association to which some 100 Lake District park businesses belong. He is also a former national chairman of the association, and is presently helping to lead representations to Government on behalf of the body’s 3,000 park members. For similar articles visit our latest news section
The new caravan and motorhome drivecation
Caravanning and motorhoming have taken on a new meaning during the Coronavirus lockdown. As ‘vanners are unable to tour the country, many have pitched up on their driveways, making their leisure vehicles into temporary classrooms for home schooling, home offices, games’ rooms, storage space for household supplies or as a makeshift dining room for all the family to retreat to. Insurance specialists Caravan Guard asked their usually adventurous customers to share stories of how they were using their campers to add some fun to their routine and reduce the stuck-at-home blues. Lorisa Talbot of Chalfont St Giles set up her Coachman Vision caravan as a temporary classroom, switching out caravan accessories for books, files, games and teaching aids on the locker doors. The two dining tables in the five-berth caravan have also been transformed into makeshift desks. Bailey caravanner, Jimmy Butler and his caravan-mad young family, from Daventry have enjoyed a night’s stay in their caravan as well as cooking, baking, sewing and reading as they plan their next “wobble box adventure”. And many dogs have retreated to the ‘van for their own “drivecation” and some peace and quiet in their happy place. Emyr Jones, of South Wales has been using his Burstner motorhome as a swish home office and the Janaways, who are normally on their travels touring the UK and Europe in their Bailey Autograph motorhome, enjoyed the sun in “Costa Del Drive” in Kent! Marc Jordan bought a pop top Rapido caravan in need of some TLC and is using lockdown to renovate it from the comfort of his home in Norfolk. Ever resourceful campers have also made use of caravanning items in the house during the lockdown. Jane Pollard, of Northamptonshire, and Caravan Guard employee, Liz Harrison, have both dug out their camping tables for their children to do their home schoolwork on whilst schools are closed. “It’s great as it folds away after use and it’s just the right size for school work,” said Liz. “We’re even thinking about getting the tent out and pitching up in the garden to escape the house for a couple of nights over Easter – it’s the new Staycation! We’ll definitely be using the Cadac barbecue too in the coming weeks.” Other resourceful campers have raided their ‘vans for supplies that have been hard to come by in the shops in recent weeks. Susan Dyson of Cheshire said she’d emptied all the tinned food out of her Vito campervan: “We’re eating like we’re camping now!” she said. And motorhome owner Margaret Drury, from Skipton, added: “Raided our motorhome cupboards for TCP and paracetamol.” Meanwhile Craig Thompson, another Caravan Guard employee, said he’d been able to empty his seasonal pitch caravan of key essentials just before the lockdown. “I was lucky the caravan had a full pack of toilet rolls, pasta and even hand sanitiser gel and antiseptic wipes!” he said. And to help caravanners dream of future trips Caravan Guard has published a video of the top 10 caravanning sounds voted for by its customers. The video features bacon sizzling and rain gently falling on the caravan roof, as well as other satisfying caravanning sounds, synonymous with the freedom and relaxation of caravanning holidays. Visit www.caravanguard.co.uk/sounds to hear the rest! The Caravan Guard team is staying safe with all staff working from home and they’re continuing to service the caravan, campervan and motorhome insurance policies of its customers, as well as provide quotes. For similar articles visit our latest news section
Over half of holidaymakers planning a staycation this year
Over a third (35%) of holidaymakers will avoid taking a holiday abroad this year due to Coronavirus One in six (15%) are planning a multi-generational getaway Beachside holidays still reign supreme, with over three quarters (78%) planning on a holiday by the sea The rising costs of holidays mean that over half (56%) of holidaymakers are planning a holiday in the UK this year, according to new research by booking platform UKcaravans4hire.com. The research, of over 1,300 holidaymakers, found that although 88% plan to take a holiday in the UK this year, just under a third (30%) were also planning on travelling abroad, with one in eight (12%) still undecided. Over a third (36%) are planning to increase the number of holidays they take this year. Even with the travel restrictions currently in place due to the global pandemic, interestingly Coronavirus was not the top concern for holidaymakers, with more people being put off from booking a holiday abroad due to rising costs. The top five factors stopping people from booking a holiday abroad this year are: Cost – 51% Coronavirus – 35% Require a pet sitter – 17% Travel time – 6% Environmental reasons – 6% Interestingly, Brexit barely scraped the top ten factors, with just one in 20 (5%) stating our departure from the EU as the top factor from stopping them from booking an overseas getaway. The family dynamic of holidays seems to be changing, with one in seven (15%) holidaymakers planning a multi-generational holiday. Over 38% of holidaymakers are planning a trip with their children, while 29% will be going on a romantic getaway. When it comes to location, the beach was the most favourite location for a UK getaway, with over three quarters (78%) claiming it as their favourite holiday location. Just 13% prefer to holiday in the countryside. Gareth Irving, Managing Director at UKcaravans4hire.com said: “With the coronavirus pandemic creating such a huge impact on the travel industry, it is no surprise that many of us are looking to holiday a little closer to home this year. Whether you prefer a romantic weekend at the seaside or a family trip to the country, the UK really does have something for everyone”. For similar articles visit our features section
