Boat and Caravan Show cancelled

The 2012 Boat & Caravan Show, the UK’s largest event aimed at individuals and families wanting to enjoy the ‘Great British Outdoors’, has been cancelled.
 
A spokesman said the decision to cancel was taken because of a lack of support from caravan manufacturers and dealers. Though support was still strong among other leisure sectors, including holiday homes and lodges, marine, tourism, accessories and outdoor leisure, caravans had always been such an integral part of the show that it was no longer viable.

Last year’s event attracted nore than 87,000 paying visitors, but earlier this year, following its failure to secure the Boat & Caravan Show’s tenancy at the NEC, the National Caravan Council, with the support of the caravan manufacturers, announced plans for its own event at London Excel from February 14-19 2012.
 
Backed by the Camping and Caravanning Club and other exhibitors, including some caravan dealers, the Boat & Caravan Show organisers, Ocean Media, pressed ahead with the NEC event, but the dealers latterly felt unable to participate in the show, undermining one of its main pillars.

The Outdoor Leisure Show which was to run alongside the Boat & Caravan Show for part of the week, has also been cancelled.
 
Trevor Barratt, CEO of Ocean Media said, “Loyal exhibitors, including a number of caravan dealers, and the show’s many visitors will feel sorry that, due to a lack of support from one element of the industry, the 2012 show has had to be cancelled after more than 50 years.”

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