Park Holidays UK to be sold in £768m deal
Park Holidays UK, a major holiday parks provider with 56 parks across the UK, is to be acquired by Aermont, one of Europe’s largest asset management companies. Sun Communities, the US based real estate investment trust which currently owns Park Holidays UK, said it had reached a definitive agreement with Aermont on the sale of all the group’s UK assets. This is subject to the completion of regulatory and governance approvals, and is anticipated to complete in the second half of 2026. It said the move was designed to better enable Park Holidays UK to enter its next phase of growth. Since 2022, under the stewardship of Sun Communities, Park Holidays UK has grown its core business from 42 parks to 56. With a focus on delivering the highest standards for its holiday home owners and guests they have become a multi-award winning business. Park Holidays UK, which also manages its sister brand Park Leisure, plans to expand its footprint further, meeting strategic growth objectives whilst maintaining its focus on quality. Jeff Sills, Chief Executive Officer of Park Holidays, commented: “We are grateful for Sun’s partnership and support over the past several years. “Together, we have continued to build and strengthen Park Holidays, and I am incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished. “We look forward to the next chapter for the business under Aermont’s ownership and remain excited about the opportunities ahead.” Giovanni Manfredi, Managing Director at Aermont added: “We are delighted to be part of the extraordinary business that the team at Park Holidays UK has created, and we look forward to supporting the company as it embarks on its next phase of the growth.”
Echo Financial Services – proud to support the caravan and holiday park sector
Echo Financial Services, one of the UK’s most experienced specialist financial advisory firms, has reaffirmed its commitment to the caravan and holiday park sector with an expanded suite of services designed to address the industry’s unique tax, regulatory, and operational challenges. With over five decades of hands-on experience, Echo continues to be a trusted partner to park owners navigating everything from HMRC disputes to succession planning and capital investment. Echo’s reputation is built on deep sector immersion, having worked with park operators across England, Wales, and Scotland on matters ranging from income declarations and VAT treatment to park acquisitions and refinancing. The firm’s relationship with the British Holiday Home and Park Home Association (BH&HPA) has underscored the assurance facing independent and family-run parks. Tailored Services for Park Operators: Echo’s park advisory services include: Echo provides bespoke advice to park operators of all sizes, helping them achieve financial stability and growth in a complex regulatory environment. Contact Echo Financial Services Telephone – 01666 846791/ 07879 496474 Email – cp@echofinancialservices.co.uk
Registration Opens for the Land Leisure & Tourism Show 2026
Registration is now officially open for the Land Leisure & Tourism Show 2026, as the UK’s leading event for visitor attractions, holiday parks, experience providers and rural businesses returns to the NEC Birmingham on 4-5 November 2026. Proudly hosted by Agriconnect, the show marks its fourteenth edition, bringing together thousands of industry professionals who are focused on creating unforgettable visitor experiences and driving business growth. Co-located with the Farm Business Innovation Show, the Land Leisure & Tourism Show offers an even broader platform for growth, reflecting the increasing crossover between rural enterprise, tourism and leisure. Designed for both established operators and new entrants, the Land Leisure & Tourism Show provides a powerful platform to explore innovative suppliers, gain expert insight, and discover the trends shaping the sector in 2026 and beyond. From increasing profitability to diversifying revenue streams, the event delivers practical, real-world solutions to help businesses build resilient, future-ready operations. A showcase of innovation and industry insight As the UK visitor economy continues to grow, with VisitBritain reporting 43.6 million overseas visitors in 2025, standing out in a competitive market has never been more important. The Land Leisure & Tourism Show plays a vital role in supporting businesses to meet this demand, offering access to the latest products, services and innovations shaping the future of leisure, tourism and hospitality. Some exhibiting companies you can expect to see at the show include, Walter Geering, ParcVu powered by Booking Experts, Creative Play, Beyonk, World of Rides and much more. A key highlight of the event is its extensive seminar programme, designed and produced by Cheryl Waterman. Known for its relevance and impact, the programme combines strategic thought leadership with practical guidance, ensuring visitors leave with actionable insights they can implement immediately. New features for 2026 The 2026 edition will introduce four brand-new features, designed to enhance the visitor experience and provide even more opportunities for discovery, networking and inspiration: The Speakeasy Lounge: An intimate, immersive environment where content, conversation and networking come together. Designed with a nod to experiential trends, this space will host thought-provoking sessions and foster meaningful connections in a more personal setting. The Holiday Park Village: A fully immersive, experience-led feature bringing a real-world holiday park environment to the show floor. Visitors can explore solutions in context, interact with suppliers, and gain practical ideas to implement in their own businesses. The New Product Trail: A curated journey through the exhibition, highlighting the latest innovations and trailblazing businesses. This feature ensures visitors can easily discover cutting-edge products shaping the future of the sector. The Start Up Hub: A dedicated space for emerging businesses operating for two years or less, offering fresh ideas, new technologies and the next generation of industry solutions. A must-attend event for the sector Purpose-built for the UK visitor economy, the event delivers step-by-step guidance grounded in real case studies, highly targeted networking opportunities, and access to innovations that can drive measurable commercial impact. Whether you’re looking to source new suppliers, gain expert advice, or stay ahead of industry trends, the Land Leisure & Tourism Show 2026 is the place to be. Register now to secure your place and be part of the future of the UK visitor economy. Claim your free pass here – lltshow.com
What Good Record Keeping Looks Like for Park Operators
Good record keeping is one of the most important — and most overlooked — responsibilities of a UK caravan or holiday park operator. Accurate, accessible records support compliance, protect the business during inspections, and provide evidence in the event of disputes or incidents. Whether you manage a small independent park or a large multi‑site operation, strong documentation practices reduce risk, improve operational efficiency, and demonstrate professionalism to regulators, insurers, and residents. This guide outlines what “good” looks like, the records every operator should maintain, and practical steps to build a reliable, compliant documentation system. Why Record Keeping Matters Essential Records Every Park Should Maintain How to Organise Records Effectively Compliance Considerations Practical Next Steps for Operators
Managing Customer Complaints in Holiday & Residential Parks
Managing Customer Complaints in Holiday & Residential Parks Customer complaints are an unavoidable part of running a caravan or holiday park, whether you operate a small family site or a large multi‑park group. What matters is not the volume of complaints, but how effectively they are handled. A well‑managed complaint can turn a dissatisfied guest into a loyal advocate, while a poorly handled one can escalate into reputational damage, regulatory scrutiny, or even legal action. For UK park operators, complaint handling is also tied to compliance expectations from local authorities, the Housing Ombudsman (for residential parks), and industry bodies. This guide sets out a practical, structured approach to managing complaints professionally, consistently, and in a way that protects both guests and the business. Understanding Complaints in Caravan & Holiday Parks Complaints typically fall into a small number of categories: Understanding the root cause helps operators prioritise, investigate, and respond appropriately. Quick Wins to Improve Complaint Handling Longer‑Term Improvements Compliance Considerations Practical Next Steps for Operators
Caravan Park & Camping Site Outdoor Care: A Practical UK Operator Guide
In today’s competitive caravan and camping industry, first impressions matter more than ever. Guests expect more than just a place to pitch – they’re looking for clean, well-maintained surroundings, durable grass areas and safe, accessible facilities. For site owners and franchise operators, delivering this consistently across the season can be a challenge. This guide, created by the experts at ProGreen, outlines the key outdoor areas to focus on, and how to manage them effectively year-round. 1. Start with Strong, Durable Grass Pitches Grass pitches take the greatest strain on any site. Between vehicle movement, foot traffic and the unpredictable UK weather, it doesn’t take long for pitches to become worn, patchy or muddy. Best practice: • Use a high-wear, fast-recovering seed mix designed specifically for caravan sites • Overseed regularly to prevent thinning • Repair worn areas early to avoid pitch downtime ProGreen’s specialist caravan grass seed is formulated to thrive in UK conditions, delivering reliable growth and strong recovery able to withstand heavy use. For operators, this means faster turnaround between bookings, less time spent on repairs and consistent quality throughout the season. For guests, it creates a much better experience, thanks to firmer ground, less mud and a cleaner finish. 2. Keep Hard Surfaces Clean, Safe & Presentable Hard surfaces such as pathways, patios, decking and access roads are just as important as the pitches themselves. If they aren’t maintained, not only do they quickly become unsightly, but they can also create safety hazards, with slippery surfaces posing a risk to guests and staff alike. Best practice: • Treat problem areas regularly, not reactively • Focus on shaded and high-moisture zones • Build surface cleaning into routine maintenance schedules Products like AlgoClear Pro hard surface cleaner are designed to tackle algae and organic growth quickly and effectively, helping restore surfaces with minimal disruption. 3. Implement a Proactive Weed Control Plan Weeds don’t just affect appearance – they signal poor maintenance to guests and can quickly spread across both grassy and hard surfaces. Common problem areas include edges of pitches, fence lines and boundaries, and gaps in paving and access routes. Best practice: • Move from reactive to planned weed control • Treat early to prevent escalation • Ensure you are using selective and total weed control depending on your requirements A structured weed control programme helps maintain a clean, consistent look across the entire site, while reducing labour time spent on repeated fixes. ProGreen has a wide range of weed control options, from total weed control, ideal for hard surfaces, and selective weed control for use in grassy areas. 4. Ensure Staff Are Trained & Compliant Using professional-grade outdoor treatments correctly is essential, not just for results, but for safety and compliance. Best practice: • Ensure operators hold relevant certifications (e.g. such as PA6 spraying) • Follow correct application procedures • Prioritise health & safety at all times Training gives your team the confidence to apply products safely and effectively, avoiding costly mistakes or misuse, which maintains standards across the site. ProGreen’s highly-skilled in house trainer can deliver a range of in-person training courses, which can be held at your facilities or their dedicated training facility. Online courses are also available for a number of training needs. 5. Take a Joined-Up Approach to Site Maintenance One of the biggest challenges for site managers is juggling multiple suppliers and solutions.A more effective approach is to treat outdoor maintenance as a joined-up system, where: • Grass, hard surfaces, weed and pest control are managed together • Advice and support on best products and application schedules come from one trusted partner This improves your site’s efficiency, consistency and budgeting, ultimately raising your overall site standards to give your guests the best experience possible. Ready to Raise Your Site Standards? Whether you need advice on the right products, support building a maintenance plan or a tailored quote for your site requirements, ProGreen can help. As a holiday park owner or operator, you can enjoy an exclusive 10% off your first order with ProGreen using code CIPO10 at checkout, or you can quote this code via telephone if you’d prefer to speak to someone. Visit progreen.co.uk to explore the full product range or call the team on 0330 912 8837, who will be able to offer a bespoke quote and maintenance plan tailored to your site.
Caravan Guard shortlisted for Customer Experience Award
Caravan and motorhome insurance specialists, Caravan Guard, is celebrating after being shortlisted for the Customer Experience Award at the 2026 British Insurance Awards. The West Yorkshire based firm will go head-to-head with five other UK companies at the prestigious national awards ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall in London this July. The British Insurance Awards are the insurance market’s biggest celebration of excellence and innovation, recognising companies that are setting new standards for customers across the industry. And the Customer Experience Award celebrates organisations that put customers at the heart of everything they do. Caravan Guard’s shortlisting reflects a sustained programme of improvements to make it easier than ever for motorhome and campervan owners to get quotes, take out cover and makes claims. The insurance specialists impressed judges with their passion for delivering brilliant customer experiences, their work to support new motorhome and campervan owners, and a simple, intuitive quote and buy journey. Their entry also highlighted excellent customer feedback scores, high levels of customer loyalty and sustained growth in the motorhome and campervan sector. Caravan Guard’s Managing Director, Ryan Wilby, said he was delighted for the family business to be recognised on a national stage. “Being shortlisted at the British Insurance Awards is a fantastic accolade for the whole team,” he said. “To be recognised alongside some of the biggest names in the insurance industry at such an iconic venue, is something we’re incredibly proud of. The competition is strong, but having made the finals before, we’re keeping everything crossed that we can bring the trophy home for continuing to put our customers first.” For more information about Caravan Guard’s specialist insurance cover for motorhomes, campervans, caravans and trailer tents visit www.caravanguard.co.uk.
Oil crisis fuels holiday parks bookings boom for families…and Fido
Park Holidays says a surge in summer holiday bookings – currently up by 17% on last April’s figures – will bring a much-needed boost to local economies across Britain. And, says the group, it’s also good news for the nation’s dogs as families shun overseas destinations in favour of a UK stay on which they can take their pets. Park Holidays reports that the rise in holiday caravan and lodge bookings is evident across all its 55 holiday parks in England, Wales and Scotland. The demand, it believes, is being fuelled by fears of flight cancellations by airlines – and possible steep hikes in ticket prices – during the continuing oil crisis. “People are reacting to reports of possible jet fuel shortages, and acting now to secure their summer holidays,” said Brad May, chief marketing officer for Park Holidays UK. “For many families there is just too much uncertainty about going abroad this year, and they are opting for a stay in Britain which will give them more control over their plans. “Our 17% increase in bookings represents thousands of holidays, and this will provide a massive income boost to the rural and coastal communities where our parks operate. “That’s a very real positive for local businesses and people they employ – but let’s not forget the upside this will also bring for our four-legged friends. “Families staying on our parks can share the fun with their dogs and not have to think of them pining away and missing their owners,” said Brad. Facilities on many parks include dog-washing stations, dedicated dog walking areas, and park cafes and restaurants which don’t insist that pooches park themselves outside. “This latest rise in holiday bookings continues the trend we saw last year when people chose a UK stay to avoid the searing temperatures and wildfires in mainland Europe,” said Brad. “We’re proud to be a major player in an industry generating around £12.2 billion of visitor spending each year, and delighted that this summer is set to break new records,” he added. More information about 2026 holidays at Park Holidays, including dog-friendly holidays from £129.00 for a three-day break, is available at www.ParkHolidays.com
Pitching for an unpredictable summer
For many caravan park operators, Easter was more than just a long weekend punctuated by an overabundance of chocolate – it’s the exact moment the season wakes up from its wintry hibernation and the all-important preamble for peak season, which is now just a few weeks away. Whether it’s families making the most of the Easter school holidays or regular visitors returning to their favourite secluded spot, spring typically marks the start of the holiday season. But with rising fuel costs making families rethink their holiday plans, how can park owners ensure a successful summer? Why peak season performance is paramount For many operators, the brief window between the start of spring and the end of summer accounts for the majority of annual income. It’s estimated that around 70-80% of holiday park and campsite profits are generated over the summer months, as long winters give way to an intense burst of activity. While the full impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is still unfolding, this spring will be a good litmus test for what we hope will be a good summer, despite the uncertain global outlook. Holiday parks are well-positioned against economic shocks The previous economic shock that affected the UK from late 2022 onwards saw a cost-of-living crisis, rising energy costs and market turmoil, but the UK’s holiday park and campsite sector still generated around £12.2 billion in visitor spending in the following year, according to the National Caravan Council (NCC). This was an increase of £2.9 billion on the previous year, demonstrating the resilience of the sector. The logic isn’t hard to see. For many, holiday parks offer an affordable alternative to more expensive overseas holidays or hotel stays, so the sector may be well positioned as the impact of conflict in the Middle East increases. However, the Easter holidays will be the first chance to see whether this pattern is repeating, so operators should carefully look back on the holiday period to see how it compares to previous years. The last chance to prepare While it’s often too cold or damp to carry out in-depth maintenance throughout the winter months, spring’s temperate nature and upswing in guests ensure that any areas in need of a little TLC are highlighted in time to be improved. Whether it’s maintenance work, landscaping and facility upgrades or safety checks, these critical tasks can be difficult to complete over winter, so the short window between the school holidays is the ideal time to prioritise these. Add to this the fact that operators are likely to be actively recruiting and more aware of the impending need to train their next cohort of seasonal teams during this time, and suddenly, the spring sows the seeds for a hotbed of activity. One of the first things operators should do is to produce an up-to-date cash flow forecast, which takes into account income from the Easter break. This can help operators to understand when pressure points may arise later in the year and whether short-term financing or staged spending might be necessary. It may seem onerous, but swatting up on the books now can yield dividends during an unpredictable year like this. Clearly, once the season begins, revenue can build quickly. The difficulty lies in bridging the gap between pre-season investment and peak summer income. Maximise profits by adjusting pricing and predicting revenue expectations One of the most valuable exercises ahead of the busy summer season is a simple one: learn the lessons from the previous season to help you prepare for the next. This time, I would encourage you to also look back to the lessons learned from 2023, during the previous cost-of-living crisis. Taking the time to review past occupancy levels, average spend per guest and peak booking periods can reveal useful patterns, allowing you to predict with more accuracy, play to your strengths and, crucially, to shore up your weaker areas before the park is at capacity. Doing this in spring can be particularly telling, as you are likely to see early indicators of what will and won’t work well in the dizzying height of summer. With this research under your belt, some parks may make the surprising discovery that their busiest weeks are shifting, while others might see that shoulder seasons are becoming stronger as guests seek better value breaks with less background noise. You may also identify opportunities for maximising your potential income from each visit. The UK Caravan & Camping Alliance confirms that holiday park visitors typically stay around 82% longer than the average UK tourist trip across other types of accommodation, and they also tend to spend more money during their visits. So, whatever the situation on your site, this creates an opportunity. Longer stays can mean robust revenue, but only if your pricing structures are accurately aligned with current demand and rising operating costs. Even the most modest adjustments to your pitch fees or accommodation rates can help to ensure the season remains profitable, rather than just busy. Taking the time to ensure tax compliance should also form part of this seasonal financial planning. Operators must understand the VAT variables across accommodation, entertainment and on-site amenities, especially when investment in infrastructure or facilities may qualify for capital allowances. This season will be tough for many businesses and families across the UK, so preparation done in the early days of the spring season is essential. Reviewing visitor numbers and behaviours, checking finances, forecasting cash flow and understanding all of your tax obligations early can help to ensure that the months ahead are as commercially sustainable as possible. Duncan & Toplis provides accounting services designed to support businesses in the leisure and tourism sector, including caravan park operators. Services include tax planning, financial forecasting and seasonal cash flow management. To find out more, visit www.duncantoplis.co.uk. By Michele Coe-Baxter, Director and Head of Leisure and Tourism at Duncan & Toplis
