Adapting to the New Caravan and Camping Market
Covid has impacted many sectors within the UK over the past two years. Some industries have been hit worse than others, but the world of Camping and Caravanning has recovered strongly during the pandemic, thanks to the rise of the Staycation.
According to the Parkdean 2021 Staycation Market Report, holidays within the UK have increased by 53%, with caravan bookings in the first year of Covid increasing by 58%. There has also been a significant rise in Touring Caravan Sales since lockdown ended, with many people buying Tourers for the first time.
Customer trends have also changed in the past 2 years, and as a result, site owners have had to adapt their business models to accommodate an increase in enquiries and consumer requirements.
Helping Businesses Adapt
An increase in the numbers of caravans has led to an additional need for more spaces. We have assisted clients in creating more efficient site layouts, looking for new opportunities to improve. A specific example of this was working at Donkey Creek Farm Caravan Park, where we applied our knowledge and experience in this sector to obtain planning permission for the addition of seasonal and off-season storage pitches. This will help meet the demand for more caravan space, alongside the additional onsite facilities we designed.
HPA have been involved with this project from the very beginning, when the current owner purchased a field with 12 Camping Pitches. Planning permission for the first phase of 37 pitches and the main Reception and Amenity Building was approved in 2016, and opened in 2018. A second phase containing a further 38 pitches and 4 Glamping Pods was approved in 2019. This 5* award winning site will open for the 2022 season, with half of the site being allocated for seasonal pitches.
Sustainability
Sustainability is at the forefront of most people’s mind, more so now than ever before. Caravan sites, despite appearances, are energy hungry buildings that have to work hard for short periods of time. We have worked with site owners to create buildings that have less demands on energy or are supplied by renewables. We have also worked with owners to look at how sites can be more ecologically diverse or carbon neutral. A site we worked on in the Lake District saw the design of electric only vehicles for all staff members. We have also worked with owners to create spaces for wild flower meadows. This is a great addition to a site, supporting the biodiversity of the area and providing a vital habitat for local insects and pollinators.
The setting and landscape of caravan sites often presents great opportunities to make a positive impact on the natural environment. These changes are not only morally and ecologically important, they are becoming a point of interest for holiday makers, acting as a unique tourist feature.
Our Industry Experience
HPA have been looking after caravan sites since 1979, and have vast experience in this sector. Using industry data from British Holiday & Home Parks Association and the UK Caravan Council, we understand the trends and commercial logistics of sites such as these, helping owners realise their sites potential.
Read more about our work in the Leisure and hotel sector here.
References:
https://www.parkdeanresorts.co.uk/discover-more/discover/staycation-market-report-2021/
https://www.parkdeanresorts.co.uk/discover-more/discover/staycation-market-report-2020/