Touring caravanning has always been a relatively popular means of spending one’s summer holidays but since the recent economic crash across Europe and the world more and more people are turning to touring caravanning in the UK because of the attraction of caravanning as a means of securing a “cheap” holiday.
The rise in the popularity of caravanning has led to a demand for used touring caravans but for the uninitiated the buying of the caravan is just the beginning. It has to be equipped both internally and externally and, for the prudent, touring caravan insurance is a must! Just a couple of years ago dealers held huge stocks of touring caravans but in the present climate there are fewer and fewer touring caravans for sale. Those that can be found are commanding a good price. There is a particular shortage of “family” vans – four, five and six berth touring caravans – and even two and three berth vans are becoming hard to find.
With this rise in demand comes the resultant rise in demand for more touring caravan sites and pitches. The popular Caravan Club and Camping and Caravanning Clubs, both of which are for fee paying members, are posting “site full” notices much more frequently these days in popular areas and the once fading touring caravan parks and sites are enjoying a new lease of life.
Some families are testing the water in a “buy before you try” manner and are seeking out touring caravan hire firms in an attempt to confirm their attraction to the past time. The freedom of the road and the opportunity to live a life without time constraints has always been an attraction to some people and now that the cost of holidays abroad has rocketed with the GB pound faring poorly against the Euro and the Dollar caravanning in Britain has seen something of a recent resurgence. The downside of this is the presence of more and bigger vehicles on the road, longer travelling times to destinations because of increasing congestion and the need for bigger vehicles to tow these touring caravans, both twin and double axled.
Caravan dealers across the country are particularly happy with this resurgence and at a recent Caravan and Outdoor Life Show at the NEC in Birmingham most dealers reported exceptional business, the like of which they have not seen for many years. The recent demise of some touring caravan manufacturers has led to a reduction in choice for the buyer and some dealers are experiencing difficulty in coping with the increased demand. Delivery times for new touring caravans are now getting longer as demand continues to rise.
It looks as if the number of people choosing to take their holidays caravanning at home in the UK is set to rise sharply and competition for pitches in popular resorts is bound to leave its own trail of disappointments!