UK holiday parks and campsites continue to see strong demand in the domestic leisure market, with recent research suggesting the sector’s resilience during periods of economic uncertainty.
According to Mintel, the holiday centres and parks segment is expected to generate £3.5 billion in 2024, marking a 20% increase from pre-pandemic levels.
In 2023, there were 4,754 holiday parks and campsites in operation, offering 320,901 pitches, with the South West of England holding the highest concentration. The sector supports an estimated 230,000 full-time jobs across the UK.
Between 2022 and 2023, holiday parks and campsites generated £12.2 billion in visitor expenditure.
CBRE’s 2025 Consumer Sentiment Survey found that 34% of respondents planned to spend savings on holidays, with domestic holiday park and camping trips occurring more frequently than trips abroad.
This trend reflects the sector’s counter-cyclical nature, with demand often increasing during times of lower economic growth when consumers view domestic options as more affordable.
Sustainability is becoming a more significant factor for operators and visitors alike, according to a report by Hospitality Net.
A UK Caravan & Camping Alliance (UKCCA) survey of 666 operators found high adoption of measures such as recycling (97%), energy and water conservation (95%), and support for local wildlife (83%).
Larger operators, such as Parkdean Resorts, have introduced solar power installations, diverted 80% of waste from landfill, and implemented energy-saving systems.
Centre Parcs reported a 15–20% reduction in energy use at its Lakeside Inn restaurant through lighting and automation upgrades.
Smaller independent parks have also adopted lower-cost measures such as LED lighting, biomass systems, and reduced single-use plastics.
For operators with the capacity to invest, renewable energy remains a long-term strategy.
The UKCCA reported that 44% of parks with more than 251 pitches have installed solar panels, 59% offer electric vehicle charging, and 19% use heat pumps. Parkdean Resorts’ solar programme has delivered a 20% year-on-year reduction in grid electricity consumption.
Consumer demand also reflects a preference for environmentally conscious operators.
The 2025 Consumer Sentiment Survey found that 26% of visitors choose holiday parks partly due to their lower environmental impact. With 61% of visitors engaging in wildlife or nature activities, protecting the natural environment is tied directly to customer satisfaction.
Forest Holidays, operating near national parks, has partnered with the Forestry Commission to ensure low-impact construction, biodiversity enhancement, and woodland management.
While current sustainability reporting requirements apply only to the largest UK companies, the country’s commitment to cutting carbon emissions by at least 81% by 2035 suggests future regulation will expand.
Some operators, such as Parkdean Resorts, are already aligning with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) to assess risks such as flooding and drought.
Sustainability is also a growing consideration for investors. Blackstone’s 2021 acquisition of Bourne Leisure, which includes Haven Holidays, incorporated significant investment in energy efficiency, including £18 million in solar installations across 39 parks.
These upgrades supply enough energy to power over 8,000 homes and meet 10% of Haven’s needs.
Industry analysts suggest that adopting sustainable business practices can reduce operating costs, improve customer loyalty, and increase the long-term value of holiday park assets.
“This can make a property more efficient, profitable, and consequently marketable,” said Julian Such, operational real estate director, UK Valuation & Advisory Services. “Cost reductions can have a direct impact on value.”