More people will enjoy UK-based motorhome and caravan breaks

The NCC (National Caravan Council) has commissioned a new study to track how consumer attitudes are changing towards UK holidays and short breaks in general, and caravan and motorhome holidays in particular, as a direct result of coronavirus.

Unsurprisingly, a significant number of people had had their pre-August 2020 holiday plans disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.

However, two thirds (66%) of consumers whose UK holidays plans had been impacted say they are likely to take UK holidays or short breaks between August and December 2020, (provided the restrictions are lifted before then).

This is a substantially higher proportion than for trips abroad. Of those who were planning to travel to Europe, only 42% are likely to take European trips between August to December; of those planning non-European trips, just 21% are likely to re-book.

As there are more than a million households who own a leisure vehicle (motorhome, caravan or campervan) or holiday caravan/lodge, attitudes to this type of holiday for the remainder of 2020 were also gathered. Given the focus on social distancing and in the first six months after the lockdown, 70% of UK adults said they perceive a caravan-based UK break as a socially acceptable activity.

Motorhoming did even better, with 77%, indicating its acceptability as a post lockdown activity. These holiday types were regarded as much more acceptable than, say, a city break to a major European city. This is extremely important for the UK’s holiday parks industry, which is already gearing up to make re-opening as safe as it possibly can.

NCC Director General, John Lally, commented, “Our holiday parks benefit from rural and coastal locations, away from densely populated urban areas. Units are usually located a minimum of 5m away from each other and enjoy their own services and facilities, which allows caravanners in their tourers, motorhomes or holiday caravans to be independent.

Each unit is separate with no shared doors or communal access areas. So, they are more suited to social distancing than many other types of holiday accommodation.”

Looking ahead to 2021 holidays (assuming restrictions are lifted), even greater numbers of people have indicated a likelihood of taking trips next year. With this comes a continuing shift towards the UK as a destination, compared to pre-pandemic travel.

“Sixty-four percent of consumers are likely to take trips in the UK in 2021, whereas pre-pandemic, just 38% claim to have been planning a UK holiday – a potentially significant shift. However, this ‘intent’ has yet to be converted! The UK holiday parks industry offers such a wide range of holidays and has great potential to provide freedom, enjoyment, open-air activities and time with family,” added John.

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