domestic holidays

RISING DEMAND FOR UK HOLIDAYS AS STAYCATIONS CONTINUE TO SURGE

Posted on May 14, 2025

The UK holiday park and caravan sector is experiencing an unprecedented boom as staycations remain the preferred choice for British holidaymakers. With international travel costs soaring and environmental concerns influencing decisions, more people are opting for domestic holidays, presenting both opportunities and challenges for holiday park operators.

Recent industry reports highlight a 25% rise in bookings for UK holiday parks compared to pre-pandemic levels. Initially spurred by COVID-19 restrictions, the staycation trend has remained strong despite the reopening of international travel.

Economic uncertainty, high fuel prices, and the rising cost of overseas holidays have reinforced the appeal of UK-based breaks. Additionally, increasing sustainability awareness is driving holidaymakers to seek low-carbon alternatives, further boosting demand for caravan and lodge holidays.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOLIDAY PARK OPERATORS
To meet evolving customer expectations, holiday park operators are embracing innovation and investment in key areas:

• Enhancing Accommodation: Many parks are introducing premium lodges, glamping pods, and eco-friendly cabins to attract a wider demographic. High-quality, self-catering options with modern amenities ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
• Sustainability Initiatives: With eco-conscious travel on the rise, parks investing in renewable energy, water conservation, and waste reduction are gaining a competitive edge.
• Technology Integration: Contactless check-ins, digital guest experiences, and app-based bookings streamline operations and enhance customer satisfaction.
• Expanding Activities and Attractions: To rival international destinations, many parks are developing adventure parks, wellness retreats, and themed entertainment to broaden their appeal.

With staycations firmly established as a dominant travel trend, the future looks bright for UK holiday parks. Operators prioritising innovation, sustainability, and exceptional customer experiences are best positioned to thrive in this rapidly evolving market.

HOLIDAY PARKS CALL FOR REFORMS IN UPCOMING BUDGET

Posted on November 3, 2024

The British Holiday and Home Parks Association (BH&HPA) has outlined a series of reforms it hopes the Government will address in the autumn budget, set for 30 October. Representing around 3,000 parks across the UK, BH&HPA’s proposals focus on boosting regional economies, supporting jobs, energy sustainability, and improving low-cost housing options.

In its submission to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, BH&HPA highlights four key areas where reforms could be made without financial loss to the Government, aiming for significant national benefits. Debbie Walker, BH&HPA’s Director General, emphasised the potential for growth through planning reforms that would allow holiday parks to expand and invest, while residential parks could offer more affordable housing for retirees, freeing up larger family homes.

The association is also calling for VAT reductions to help UK parks remain competitive with international tourism markets, making domestic holidays more affordable amid rising living costs. BH&HPA’s energy reforms propose expanding grid capacity to support the use of sustainable technologies, such as electric vehicle charging points and heat pumps.

Additionally, they urge the Government to address skills shortages in rural and coastal areas by providing long-term training and employment opportunities. With UK holiday parks and campsites contributing £7.2bn to the economy and supporting over 226,700 jobs, BH&HPA hopes the upcoming budget will pave the way for further growth.

Association members will have a chance to digest the implications of the budget on 4 November (12 noon – 1pm) during a webinar arranged by BH&HPA with tax advisers RSM.

British Holiday and Home Parks Association
www.bhhpa.org.uk

OOH LA! LA! BRITISH LURED TO FRENCH PARKS

Posted on February 15, 2022

OOH LA! LA! BRITISH LURED TO FRENCH PARKS

 

PARKS SUCH AS SANDGREEN Caravan Park in Dumfries & Galloway, pictured, have converted many to UK holidays.

 

Holiday park owners in France are training their sights on British holidaymakers in a bid to make up huge revenue losses suffered during recent overseas travel restrictions.
Helping lead the assault is French holiday parks giant Yelloh Village which operates more than 100 parks in its home country, as well as offering hot spots in Spain and Portugal.
The group, based near Nimes, has this month appointed Caravan Sitefinder to take the lead in publicising its holidays to the online booking platform’s million-plus annual visitors. CEO Michael Paul says Yelloh anticipates that mainland Europe will be fully open for business by next spring, and that many UK families will be thirsting for a continental holiday. Caravan Sitefinder, says Michael, will be actively marketing Yelloh’s parks to consumers via its huge database, and through high-profile website promotions. “The British holiday market is massively important to French park operators, and the widescale absence of UK visitors for almost two years is being keenly felt,” said Michael. “But they sense that payback time will be coming shortly and want to claim as large a share as possible of the market by going all out for bookings made this winter and spring.

 

 

LICKING WOUNDS
“This clearly has ramifications for UK park owners as they too are still licking their wounds after so many lockdowns and Covid-related cancellations in recent times. Many will be pinning their hopes on the trend for domestic holidays to continue next year, and I think they have some cause for optimism,” continues Michael.
“A lot of families have been converted to stays in this country after enjoying positive experiences this and last summer and may choose to continue doing so. “But there will inevitably be others who are now looking forward to returning to Mediterranean sunshine, and will be booking with overseas park operators such as Yelloh. So the main priority for most parks will be to seize as many bookings as possible from those intending to stay in the UK, and to do so as early as possible. “In other words, they will have to market themselves far more aggressively than this year, and not rely on travel limitations providing an almost literal captive audience,” said Michael. Yelloh’s parks, located largely on the coast and in popular mountain areas, range from simple touring sites to multi-activity centres with luxury accommodation.