Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show 2020
Dipping your toe into the great outdoors? Need some new kit for a family adventure? Time to upgrade? Or maybe you need some ideas on where to go for your next adventure? The Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show has everything you need for your next adventure with over 400 exhibitor stands showcasing their greatest products. Not only will you be able to see all new-for-2020 leisure vehicles and caravan holiday homes, you’ll also be able to browse tents of all shapes and sizes all pitched under one roof. Plus, all the accessories and gadgets for the great outdoors that you could ever need. Whether you’re looking to get into the leisure vehicle or already enjoy it, your holiday, short break or outdoor pursuit starts here! The show runs from Tuesday 18th – Sunday 23rd February Reasons to attend The Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show: The biggest showcase of caravans, motorhomes, campervans in the UK Leading UK and European manufacturers and dealers under one roof Exclusive offers on 1000s of vehicles and accessories Expert advice from leading industry specialists FREE show guide Kids go FREE* Parking included on the ticket price Plus, enjoy FREE tuition FREE Towing Experience FREE Motorhome Manoeuvring FREE Campervan Test Drive Activities at the Show NEW FOR 2020 Electric in Motion NEW FOR 2020 Best of British Adventure Gold Top Dog Arena Climbing Wall Bushcraft Workshops Holiday Park Experience Glamping Village Camping Zone Freedom to Go Theatre Book your tickets today!
Big wins at Owner Satisfaction Awards 2020
Winners of the 2020 Owner Satisfaction Awards have been announced at this year’s annual Camping and Caravanning Club industry dinner. This marked the fifth annual Owner Satisfaction Awards and the fourth set of awards the Club has run in partnership with Practical Motorhome and Practical Caravan magazines. In total, 22 awards were given out at the event, where Club President Julia Bradbury was on hand to present trophies to the worthy winners. As previously, results came from thousands of Club members, together with readers of Practical Motorhome and Practical Caravan magazines, who completed the 2020 Owner Satisfaction Survey, which ran from April to October 2019. The 2020 Awning Owner Satisfaction Survey was new for this year and followed feedback from both customers and industry alike who want more insight into the awning ownership experience. Awards were given for the best manufacturer of small porch, full and drive-away awnings, based on findings given by hundreds of owners. This year’s Motorhome Satisfaction Awards features a new category for Best Van Converter (Direct Sales), which counts those businesses which manufacture and sell direct to customers, and also sell pre-owned models direct to customers. The 2020 Caravan Owner Satisfaction Survey was completed by more people this year – the number of responses increased 14.7%, with 67.8% of respondents sharing feedback on new caravans. Findings from the 2020 Tent Owner Satisfaction Survey reveal a high satisfaction score of 8.9 (based on a scale from 1-10), representing a high level of general satisfaction. The score is also consistent with scores from previous surveys. Sabina Voysey, The Camping and Caravanning Club Director General, said: “We’re thrilled to have hosted another successful awards evening and presented the latest set of results. “We continue to share reports on the surveys with manufacturers after the event – this means those responsible for the design and manufacture of new products can have access to real feedback from our members, and their customers, to improve and develop their offering. Ultimately this helps consumers shop smarter and buy better – and it’s of assistance to manufacturers too.” Sarah Wakely, Editor-in-Chief of Practical Caravan and Practical Motorhome at Future Publishing, said: “We’re delighted to team up with The Camping and Caravanning Club once again to deliver this important survey of caravan and motorhome owners – our brands are all about helping people get the most out of their passion for caravan or motorhome travel and to buy the best kit to help them do that. “This survey is an invaluable tool, both for readers keen to get insight from other owners, and for the industry to help them continue to deliver great caravans and motorhomes and the highest levels of service for their customers. Congratulations to all of the award winners; it’s great to see such high standards being met across the industry. “It’s testament to the strength of our brands and their position in the market that this year we received such a large number of responses, and we continue to develop the surveys and our presentation of it to best reflect the changing markets we operate in.” The full results from the surveys, and detailed analysis, will be published in the February issues of Camping & Caravanning and Practical Caravan and the April issue of Practical Motorhome. To view the full list of gold and silver award winners in this year’s awards visit: www.practicalcaravan.com, www.practicalmotorhome.com or www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/owner-satisfaction-awards. The full list of winners (categories and brands): Tent Owner Satisfaction Awards 2020 winners Best Budget Tents under £300: Hi-Gear Best Mainstream Tents £300-£999: Outwell Best Premium Tents over £1000: Karsten Best Backpacker Tents: Quechua Best Family Tents: Zempire and Hi-Gear (two winners) Best Traditional Pole Tents: Quechua Best Inflatable Tents: Karsten Folding Camper Owner Satisfaction Awards 2020 winners Best Folding Campers: Pennine and Opus (two winners) Awning Owner Satisfaction Awards 2020 winners Best Small Porch Awnings: Vango Best Full Awnings: Isabella Best Drive-Away Awnings: Vango Caravan Owner Satisfaction Awards 2020 winners Best Manufacturer New Caravans: Adria Best Manufacturer Pre-Owned Caravans: Coachman Best Supplying Dealer New Caravans: Winchester Caravans Best Supplying Dealer Pre-Owned Caravans: Peter Roberts Caravans and Motorhomes Best Caravan Manufacturer (UK New and Pre-Owned): Coachman Motorhome Owner Satisfaction Awards 2020 winners Best Van Converter (Direct Sales): Murvi Best Manufacturer New Motorhomes: Dethleffs Best Manufacturer Pre-Owned Motorhomes: Bürstner Best Supplying Dealer New Motorhomes: Todds Motorhomes Best Supplying Dealer Pre-Owned Motorhomes: Peter Roberts Caravans and Motorhomes Best Motorhome Manufacturer (UK New and Pre-Owned): Auto-Sleepers
Luxury accommodation – it’s time to bring the bling!
When it comes to the holiday park industry, accommodation is king – if your customers aren’t happy and comfortable in their surroundings, then why would they return? Parks are constantly investing in the best and most advanced accommodation available, from luxury safari tents to huge party palaces – and here editor Victoria Galligan takes a look at what’s going to boost booking numbers in 2020… Over the past two decades, the glamping phenomenon has taken the UK holiday industry to a whole new level. With glampsites competing to offer the most luxurious places to stay – albeit in the middle of a field, as visitors still want to experience that back-to-nature vibe! –a knock-on effect has been seen across the whole holiday industry. While there will always be a demand for budget accommodation, research has shown that the public are willing to pay more for luxury accommodation – coupled with a greater choice in locations, flexible booking options and top-notch on-site facilities. Holidays taken close to home, often for just one or two nights, are becoming increasing popular and have been labelled “bubble breaks”. Earlier this year, the UK Camping and Caravanning Alliance report Pitching the Value identified “attracting younger generation through product offering e.g. glamping and quality accommodation” as one of the main opportunities which the holiday industry could capitalise on. It also stated that the lack of variety available in high-quality accommodation was currently one of the industry’s weaknesses. Capitalising on the “bubble break” is vital for businesses – Sykes Cottages has done its own research on the rise in luxury breaks, reporting: “We’ve seen the popularity of luxury holiday homes go through the roof as Britons look for affordable, but indulgent, holidays closer to home – which is why we offer more than 1,000 properties with hot tubs and swimming pools across the UK. “Britons are seeking opportunities to staycation in weird and wonderful properties across the UK. We’ve got over 400 converted barns, 950 properties situated on a farm, 21 shepherd’s huts, 30 converted chapels or churches, six yurts and even one converted water tank and one converted railway carriage.” And with both spending figures and domestic trip numbers up, the staycation is proving it’s here to stay. In the first half of the year, Visit Britain reported a rise in domestic trips – up to 56.4million from January to June, a rise of 2% on the same period last year. Creating a luxury destination Away Resorts is one business which is leading the way in providing top-class facilities. It has completed two major refurbishment projects so far this year, at woodland retreat Sandy Balls Holiday Village, in the New Forest, and lakeside retreat Tattershall Lakes Country Park. The operator said the £10 million refurbishment at luxury forest destination Sandy Balls marked “the introduction of the most luxurious holiday lodges ever seen at a UK holiday park”. The range of new accommodation there includes the Knightwood, named after the largest oak tree in the New Forest. Carl Castledine, CEO of Away Resorts, said: “For those who – because of this uncertainty and travel to Europe this year – are looking to stay in the UK, but are used to luxury, we wanted to create an accommodation choice for our New Forest Holiday Village that was beautifully indulgent, and that would rival the most luxurious accommodation in European holiday villages. “So, we came up with the Knightwood – named after the largest and arguably most famous, oak tree in the New Forest. “The exterior to the holiday home features a hot tub, which is yours and yours alone; a heated outdoor seating area, where the evening can carry on long after the sun has dipped; and a dog shower for the family’s furry friend who may have got a little muddy on their walk through the Forest. And don’t forget the bike racks. “The interior is inspired by its forest surroundings with all of the fixtures, fittings and furniture having a wood-like feel; effectively bringing the outside in.” Away Resorts teamed up with holiday home manufacturer Willerby to create the Knightwood. Willerby product manager Phil Parks said: “The Knightwood really takes design and layout to the next level, this offered us the perfect opportunity to be creative and showcase what the Willerby team can do. “It is projects like this that have helped make Willerby synonymous with innovative design, stylish interiors, and above all, exceptional quality standards.” Meanwhile, Tattershall Lakes has seen the completion of a £5.25 million project. A new skyline bar, splash zone, beach and luxury accommodation were added. Paying a premium for luxury accommodation Luxury lodges have stepped up a gear for 2020. No longer content with a mere wooden roof over their heads, glampers want bling – and are willing to pay the premium. I caught up with LTF Pods at the Innovation Diversification event in South Wales in September and was blown away by the standards inside the pods – fitted kitchens and wet rooms are included so guests can avoid the wash-block trips and have the convenience of cooking too. Sofa beds and folding bunks provide solid sleeping arrangements and the décor inside and out makes the pods feel more like tiny cottages. New luxury lodge brand Eco-Signature is raising the bar – by quite a distance! Founder Karen Sheflin says the idea to ramp up the style factor was a no-brainer: “When we saw that demand for luxury holiday homes and lodges has risen by 39% and properties with hot tubs earn 54% more than that (not to mention that those with open fires boosts revenue by a further 14%), it was evident that a niche in the market exists that has yet to be regulated and needs to be developed. “Our vast experience in the hospitality industry led us to develop something that is the first of its kind. A sustainable, eco-luxury lodge with integrated advanced technology that is commercially viable and has been designed with a modern
Tingdene Homes Unveils New User-Friendly Website
One of the market leading manufacturers in residential park homes and holiday lodges, Tingdene Homes, has unveiled its new website in conjunction with their 50th anniversary. In partnership with Fluid Ideas, their new website features a refreshed branding and design approach. Tingdene’s website embraces their core values of knowledge, innovation and customer focus at its forefront. Tingdene’s new website offers a user-friendly and personalised visitor experience, showcasing their passion for customer care. The website proudly supports residential and holiday park owners through the launch of their innovative park finder tool. The new park finder tool promotes residential and holiday parks throughout the UK and provides a helpful easy-to-use tool to help customers find their dream park. The new addition of the park finder tool firmly reinforces their role as market leaders and trendsetters throughout the industry. If you want to feature your park on Tingdene’s new website then you can simply go to the trade area and submit your park with the click of a button. Tingdene’s new website proudly showcases their stunning range of modular construction, residential park homes and holiday lodges across the site. You can browse and discover their design specifications and quality features that help make Tingdene stand-out from the crowd. Test out their interactive tool and take a 360˚ tour to help you discover your dream residential park home or holiday lodge directly from the comforts of your own home. Tingdene’s new website design provides every visitor, whether you’re looking to buy a home, are currently in the buying process or are already customers, with outstanding care and support. Their website features help and advice for home buyers and park owners. You can also find an extensive range of support and guidance, such as FAQs, without having to pick up the phone. Their website is regularly updated showcasing the latest news and events in the modular construction, park homes and holiday lodges world – so you’ll never miss out on up-to-date industry info! If you’re unsure about making the jump from traditional living, then you can also take a look through their online portfolio on modular construction. Here you can discover the extensive and flexible bespoke design options to suit you. Tingdene are also proud to present their heritage over the past 50 years. Their new website helps you to discover the Tingdene difference. You can explore the brand’s history, meet the team and even take a virtual tour of their manufacturing facility. With Tingdene’s inventive new website you can get the full visitor experience straight from your home!
David Bellamy – a champion of green holiday parks
As the sad news of David Bellamy’s death reaches us, we at Caravan Industry & Park Operator take a look at how the environmentalist and botanist laid the foundations for a greener attitude to holidaying in the UK. David Bellamy OBE was a regular face on TV since the late 60s, when he was interviewed after the Torrey Canyon disaster struck – an oil tanker ran aground between Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and David, then an ecology lecturer at Durham University, was on hand to discuss the impact of the spillage with John Craven. He later said of Torrey Canyon: “Many lessons were learnt and are still being learnt. It was probably the first time that words like environment and conservation were voiced on the media, later to become so commonplace.” David Bellamy Conservation Awards David lent his name to the environmental awards which have been given to holiday parks across the country which have worked hard on the conservation of the natural environment. He said in 2010: “We started the awards in 1997. I went around to goodness knows how many caravan parks trying to get across the importance of natural history and biodiversity – although we didn’t call it ‘biodiversity’ in those days. At the start, we audited 100 of them, assessing their impact on the environment “And I was amazed. There were so many super places. We soon found that people were very proud of their natural surroundings – all the wild flowers, rabbits, squirrels, even dragonflies. They were proud of having them. They were doing my job for me. “I thought the award scheme might run for a couple of seasons – but it has been going ever since.” Holiday parks strived to become members of this prestigious club and those who achieved their awards could proudly state that they were putting nature first in their parks – a huge draw for eco-conscious customers. One recent award included Stonerush Lakes near Looe, which won a gold David Bellamy award for careful management of the lakes, and also of the extensive native hedging which provides habitats and food resources for wildlife. David also highlighted the large areas of high pollen-bearing wild flowers which provide vital foraging for endangered honey bees, butterflies and other pollinators. David wrote many scientific papers and books and was a familiar face on TV as he appeared on both his own shows and as a guest on many more. In later years, David’s controversial views on climate change were criticised and he said there was no scientific proof that global warming was down to human activity. David said that campaigners had exaggerated the effects of CO2. His TV career dwindled following his comments although David continued to work as a conservation champion across the globe. Caravan Industry & Park Operator editor Victoria Galligan said: “David’s enthusiastic, eccentric image and distinctive fluffy beard made him a well-loved, recognisable and approachable person and he will be sadly missed by many who, like me, grew up watching him on TV. He was a real inspiration for viewers to think more carefully about the environment and our impact on it. He wasn’t afraid to shy away from what he believed in – although many disagreed!” David, who died aged 86 yesterday, 12th December 2012, leaves five grown-up children and was a grandad. His wife Rosemary died last year. Photo: Century Books
Park Holidays UK to host hundreds of free holidays for Thomas Cook staff
Park Holidays UK has invited more than 600 Thomas Cook staff and their families to enjoy a weekend by the seaside so that they can say “a proper goodbye”. The holiday park group will pick up the tab for their accommodation in fully-equipped holiday homes for up to three nights, and will lay on free entertainment. Scene of the huge reunion party will be Broadland Sands Holiday Park near Lowestoft which the group is opening up especially for the event on 8-11 November. Park Holidays UK marketing director Geoff Barnes said it would be a chance for staff to swap memories and let their hair down after Thomas Cook suddenly went into liquidation in September: “The immediacy of the announcement meant that there was little time for many staff at Thomas Cooks’ Peterborough headquarters to say a final farewell,” said Geoff. “As members of the holiday industry ourselves, we were also deeply saddened by the news and wanted to reach out to try and soften the blow in some way. “We thought the best way to help would be to open one of our most popular parks, Broadland Sands, for a long weekend and to offer free stays to staff and their partners and children. “Within one day of making the opportunity known to Thomas Cook staff, we were delighted to have taken bookings for all of the park’s 150-plus holiday homes. “It means that we’ll be welcoming over 600 guests in total for between two and three nights, and we hope it will create a truly memorable experience for everyone. “I’m sure there will be some nostalgic moments, but overall we simply want all the Thomas Cook team, and especially the children, to share a very happy time,” added Geoff. As well as the free accommodation, guests will have use of all of Broadland Sand’s leisure facilities, including a recently opened £1.6 million swimming pool complex. Charges will also be waived on some other activities usually paid for by holiday guests, such as the climbing wall, adventure golf course and Segway Scooters. In addition, Park Holidays UK will be laying on a full no-cost entertainments programme in the park’s clubhouse featuring professional family-friendly acts. Broadland Sands will be offering a subsidised food and snack menu to Thomas Cook guests throughout the weekend, and a range of drinks will also be discounted. It’s hoped that other businesses will also rally to support the weekend with donations of competition prizes or by providing free activities or pampering sessions such as nail treatments or massages. Any local firms interested in contributing prizes or services to the event are invited to contact Geoff Barnes at Park Holidays UK on gbarnes@parkholidays.com Established almost 30 years ago, Park Holidays UK is one of Britain’s largest and fastest-growing holiday park groups with 31 holiday centres across Southern England.
Elite Dynamics to focus on continued growth of holiday park industry
Elite Dynamics, a leading provider of software solutions to the Holiday Parks industry, will start 2020 with a dedicated focus of supporting Holiday Parks to capitalise on the predicted rise in staycations. The tourism sector is forecast to grow by almost 20 per cent over the next five years* – faster than many other key industries including manufacturing and construction – and presents huge opportunities for forward-thinking Holiday Parks. As market leaders within the industry, Elite Dynamics, which was founded by industry and technology specialists Jamaine Campbell, Jack Vernon, and Nicola Campbell in 2015, plan to unveil new systems and tools to simplify processes for holiday park owners and help improve their bottom line. New product enhancements are being continuously developed to facilitate the ongoing digital transformation of the Holiday Parks industry; from integrated management solutions improving customer communications to providing the functionality to add-on extra revenue streams for on-park activities and events. The company’s rapidly growing customer base, which has tripled in the last three years, is already reaping the benefits of using unique software solutions officially accredited and powered by Microsoft technology. Dean Styger, Finance Director, Talacre Beach Caravan Sales Limited, said: “Implementing our Microsoft Dynamics based park management solution enabled us to strip £250,000 of costs out of the business in the first year.” Jamaine Campbell, co-founder and Commercial Director of Elite Dynamics, said: “We’re committed as a company to being at the forefront of the digitisation of the Holiday Parks industry and to provide innovative, market leading solutions that increase our customers’ efficiency and positively impact their bottom line. “The UK Holiday Park sector accounts for a huge £9.3bn of visitor spend each year and people both stay longer and spend more than any other tourism area. With even more growth forecasted through a continued boom in staycationing, now really is the time for holiday park owners to evolve, grow and capitalise on a strong market. “We understand how technology is changing and what businesses need to give them a competitive edge, so we’ll provide them with the tools and support to successfully manage everything from start to finish.” Throughout 2019, Elite Dynamics has grown its suite of products to include new EliteCRM for Customer Relationship Management and EliteFinance options, as well as launching a new Owners App to strengthen communication between holiday parks and their customers. They have also invested in growing their workforce to a 13 strong team of industry, technology, and IT specialists, which has more than doubled in the last two years. For more information or to arrange a demonstration of our industry focused solutions, visit https://www.elitedynamics.co.uk.
Rhuddlan Holiday park is already good to go!
It’s not very often when a new site becomes available for a holiday park, with planning permission ready to go, in such a desirable area. North Wales is fast becoming the staycation destination of choice for the North West’s growing population. With easier and easier access 2 minutes away to the major road to the coast, the A55, this site is a great opportunity for someone to really make their mark from the ground up. The 4.5 acre (1.8 hectare) site is under 45 minutes from Chester and Snowdonia surrounded by beautiful farmland and a short walk to Rhuddlan Castle and the nature reserve. It has planning permission for 28 touring caravan pitches and 6 chalets with associated drainage and amenities, including buildings. Other attractions close by are the seaside towns of Prestatyn and Rhyl, Offas Dyke Footpath, Snowdonia National Park offering Zip World (the longest zip line in Europe) Surf Snowdonia Wavegarden (an inland surf lagoon) Conwy, with its stunning Castle 20 minutes away, all within easy driving distance of the site. Stuart Askey of Pure Residential and Commercial said; “All Planning, legal and pre commencement conditions have been met so it is now ready for someone to purchase the site and put their ideas into practice for a brand new leisure park facility in a stunning part of North Wales.” The site location is Oakleigh House Waen Road, Rhuddlan, Denbighshire, LL18 5RT. For further information email Stuart.Askey@purecommercial.co.uk or call 07788 145047.
Bridge Leisure Parks – Don’t let the rain stop play when holidaying in the UK
Bridge Leisure Parks are giving camping and touring customers the chance to protect their holidays from being ruined by wet weather by offering an innovative ‘Rainy Day Plan’. For just £20 extra, customers will have the flexibility to change their holiday dates if the weather forecast is looking very wet and rainy during their upcoming stay. If within 48 hours of their holiday the forecast is for heavy rain, they can change their holiday start dates within a 2-week window if they have taken out the ‘Rainy Day Plan.’ Rachel Mabbs, Head of Marketing and Holiday Sales said: “We all know how miserable camping and touring can be in wet weather. Muddy touring pitches and damp tents can really ruin people’s holiday, so rather than having to cancel it and lose money we wanted to give our customers an alternative option. They simply contact the park within 48 hours of their holiday start date, and we will work with the customer to find an alternative date within the next 2-weeks at the same park.” “The great British weather can be very unpredictable and at the end of the day we want people who book with us to have a fantastic holiday. This is our way of giving our camping and touring customers the best possible chance of having a lovely stay when they book with us.” Bridge Leisure Parks are trialling the new ‘Rainy Day Plan’ at five of their UK holiday parks; Ashbourne Heights in Derbyshire, Trevella near Newquay, Hedley Wood on the Devon and Cornwall boarder, Silver Sands in Lossiemouth Scotland and Sand le Mere on the East Yorkshire Coast. It applies to new camping and touring bookings with a holiday start date from the 16th September until the end of the 2019 season. Full terms and conditions can be found on each of the holiday parks websites. https://www.trevella.co.uk/special-offers/touring-rainy-day-plan/ https://www.hedleywood.co.uk/special-offers/touring-rainy-day-plan/ https://www.ashbourne-heights.co.uk/special-offers/touring-rainy-day-plan/ https://silver-sands.co.uk/special-offers/touring-rainy-day-plan/ https://sand-le-mere.co.uk/special-offers/touring-rainy-day-plan/
