Parkdean To Deliver Parks Of The Future

Parkdean To Deliver Parks Of The Future

Parkdean Resorts, the UK’s largest holiday park operator, has published its 2019 results confirming revenue was up by 5%. The leading operator of holiday parks in the UK, Parkdean Resorts owns and operates 67 award-winning holiday parks nationwide in coastal locations and areas of natural beauty across the UK with a wide range of accommodation options including static caravans, lodges and glamping as well as touring and camping pitches.

The group, that has over 31,000 pitches will invest £80m in 2020 in a pilot ‘parks of the future’ initiative at four locations to create state-of-the-art amenities including accommodation, park facilities and kids’ activity-based entertainment such as the Bear Grylls Survival Academy. The company reveal holiday packages increased in sales by 6% year on year at 599,000 holidays of which 80% were short stay (less than four days) playing to the increasing trend for UK staycations.

On-park spend revenue grew by 6% year-on-year at on-site shops, concessions, restaurants, bars and arcades as well as swimming pools, gyms and other leisure facilities.

The business will sell approximately 4,300 caravans and lodges priced from £25,000 for an entry level caravan to £600,000 for a premium lodge, and everything in between. Steve Richards, Chief Executive of Parkdean Resorts, said: “Much progress has been made over the last year and it is fair reward for the passion and unrelenting desire our teams bring in delivering great holiday experiences for our customers. “The momentum achieved in 2019 has continued into the current year which has started strongly with 32% of summer capacity already sold as we take share in what is a growing and resilient market.”

A new senior management team is now in place with the appointment of Catherine Lynn (CCO), John McKenzie (MD Holiday Homes), Mos Shamel (COO), David Lodge (Property Director) and Lisa Charles-Jones as HRD.

ABOVE: Parkdean Resorts has unveiled an £80m investment programme

Staycation Trend To Rise

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Domestic tourist expenditure is forecast to grow by 25% over the next four years.

Staycation Trend To Rise

Spending from staycationers is set to rise by around 25% over the next three years, according to a new report by Barclays.

Overall spending by UK domestic tourists is forecast to rise to £108 million between 2013 and 2017.

The forecast is based on the recovery staying on track without people immediately switching back to their pre-recessionary holiday habits with trips abroad. Barclays said the hospitality and leisure sectors will benefit most from the staycationing trend, with spend in pubs and restaurants forecast to rise 26% to £37bn as more people dine out.

UK-wide hotel and B&B spend is expected to increase by 25% to £17bn, with leisure attractions going up 27% to £15bn and shopping rising 23% to £15.6bn.

“The economy is improving and confidence is certainly growing,” commented Mike Saul, head of hospitality and leisure at Barclays. He added: “With domestic tourism set to be big business for the UK’s hospitality and retail sectors, those with a clearly targeted strategy are set to benefit.”