An increase in Easter getaway bookings shows that UK‘s newfound enthusiasm for caravanning is not waning.
The easing of travel restrictions meant that many Britons are planning foreign trips. However, new data from the Camping and Caravanning Club show holidays within the UK are in good health, with bookings for its 100 locations rising 33% on Easter 2019.
The four-day weekend typically signals the beginning of the camping season. However, COVID-19 protocols have closed or restricted Easter access to campsites between 2020 and 2021. This means that it will be the first time in three years the public is allowed to sleep in their motorhomes or caravans and under canvas.
Simon McGrath, Camping and Caravanning Club’s head of communications and external relations, stated that with the exclusion of Wales, which had campsites accessible to Welsh residents in the past, the closures made it clear that the club missed out on the previous two Easters.
“Easter is a really popular time for camping that signals the start of the season,” he said. “This year looks certain to make up for lost time with strong bookings and a significant increase in the number of campers heading to our sites.”
Popular locations for its over 700,000 members include the Queen’s platinum jubilee year, its Sandringham site on the grounds of the royal estate, as well as remote spots in Pembrokeshire in southwest Wales and the Scottish Highlands. The majority of its members are caravan or motorhome owners.
The pandemic has made many Britons look at caravanning and domestic breaks, particularly as a whole, from a new perspective. Last year, dealerships struggled with supply issues because many young people, including pet owners, purchased homes on wheels. The demand for other holiday vehicles, including motorhomes and converted vans, was also high.
McGrath stated that the organization had an unprecedented membership growth in 2021 when new members joined the club or returned after an absence. One of the main goals for its team members on-site this year is to ensure that all newcomers have a fantastic experience.
After the interruption due to COVID-19, the domestic travel industry is likely to face tough competition from abroad this year, with the top tour operators reporting that they have seen an uptick in reservations this summer, which includes an increase in long-haul travel to destinations like the Caribbean.