Hoburne Awarded Trusted Service Status

Posted on March 3, 2020

Hoburne Awarded Trusted Service Status

Hoburne Holidays has been awarded the Feefo Trusted Service Award, an independent seal of excellence that recognises businesses for delivering exceptional experiences, as rated by real customers.

Created by Feefo, the Trusted Service Award is only given to those businesses that use Feefo to collect genuine ratings and reviews. Those that meet the high standard are based on the number of reviews collected and their average rating.

As all reviews are verified as genuine, the accreditation is a true reflection of a business’ commitment to outstanding service. Rosie Kennar, chairman of the Hoburne Group, said: “It’s a real honour to receive the Feefo Trusted Service Award for the second year in a row. “To be recognised for delivering exceptional experiences to our customers is a great achievement.,” Rosie continues. “We’ve been working hard to ensure our customers receive the best service possible, going that extra mile to provide truly memorable experiences for our holidaymakers across our parks.”

Hoburne Group was established in 1912 in Dorset and is a family business now in its fifth generation of the Burry family, creating one of the south’s largest and most successful family-owned tourism companies, offering high quality holiday experiences and holiday home ownership.

Hoburne owns eight holiday parks across the south and south west of England, plus three golf clubs under the Hoburne Golf brand and a residential and commercial development operation under Hoburne Development.

All-In-One Booking Management System

Posted on March 3, 2020

All-In-One Booking Management System

ABOVE: Camp Manager 2.0 offers the complete end-to-end process for bookings management

One of the most significant changes to Camp Manager since its creation 14 years ago, market leading Camp Manager has launched Camp Manager 2.0 as a cloud-based booking and park management system.

The all-singing and all-dancing CampManager 2.0 offers the complete end-to-end process for managing your caravan park or campsite. Camp Manager 2.0 provides a perfect roadmap for the hundreds of new features and enhancements with feedback from their customers. These include:

• An all-new dashboard
• Multiple bookings in one simple transaction
• Increase direct bookings and compete with online travel agents
• Responsive Interactive site map from any device
• Camp Manager automated communications

“With over eighteen months in development, hundreds of new and enhanced features, we are extremely proud to have released Camp Manager 2.0,” says Andrew Norris, Technical Director for Camp Manager.

“We are now introducing it to, more than 450 clients, and so far, the feedback has been extremely positive,” Andrew continues. “Camp Manager is dedicated to understanding the needs of each customer, we pride ourselves on delivering a tailored system that works for every business.”

With outstanding customer service, the host of new features and functionality, sites are challenged to put Camp Manager 2.0 to test by logging on in the first instance to www.campmanager.com

Haulfryn Group Appoints New CEO

Posted on March 3, 2020

Haulfryn Group Appoints New CEO

ABOVE: Newly appointed Haulfyn Group CEO Echo Lun boasts an impressive CV.

Haulfryn Group which owns and manages a range of luxury holiday parks throughout the UK, has appointed its new CEO, Echo Lu, who took the reins of the company, from February.

Haulfryn, which employs nearly 500, prides itself on delivering a five-star experience for holidaymakers and holiday home owners, with state-of-the-art food and beverage outlets, activities, spas, fitness centres and waterparks on selected parks.

Born and raised in China, Echo completed her military service and attained her first degree there, before moving to the USA to complete her Masters degree.

With an impressive CV spanning over 20 years, her general management experiences include COO for Tesco China, Property Director for Tesco UK/ Ireland and later on Managing Director for Homebase and Holland & Barrett International. Echo is currently a serving Non-Exec Director of Coats Group plc and a Be Inspired Ambassador for Retail Week.

Lifeboat Appeal Makes A Splash

Posted on March 3, 2020

Lifeboat Appeal Makes A Splash

ABOVE: Jane Bremner presents the charity cheque to the lifeboat crew at their Lyme Regis base.

Family owners and guests at a holiday park near Lyme Regis have pushed the boat out for their local RNLI crew by creating a bumper charity windfall.

Wood Farm Caravan Park in Charmouth adopted the Lyme Regis lifeboat as their charity of the year in 2019 – and have been fundraising throughout the holiday season.

When the amount was totalled up, the award-winning business was delighted to find that it was able to donate £3,130 to the RNLI’s lifesaving work. The 45-acre park, which sits in the tranquil Char Valley, is owned by Jane Bremner whose parents, Duncan and Joan, first started welcoming guests almost 50 years ago.

Today, Wood Farm provides luxury holiday caravans to hire, and pitches for touring guests. Park manager Adrian Mowbray said that charity fundraising has long been an important facet of the Wood Farm’s activity, and that guests played an important role in this:”We receive thousands of holiday bookings each year, and on each occasion we offer customers the chance to make a donation to our charity of the year,” he said.

“The overwhelming majority choose to do so, and we top up this sum with a charity party on the park over the August bank holiday weekend,” added Adrian. “This year, we saw over 1,500 holiday guests and local residents enjoy the celebrations – and our volunteers’ with their collection buckets were out in force!”

Extra Support For First Time Buyers

Posted on March 3, 2020

Extra Support For First Time Buyers

ABOVE: Customers are introduced to caravan ownership by Salop
Leisure sales executive Tanya Bebb.

Shrewsbury-based caravan and motorhome dealership Salop Leisure held a first time buyers’ event for caravan holiday homes and luxury lodges recently.

A whopping 75 holiday homes and lodges, priced from £34,995, were on display and Salop Leisure supported with full details of more than 250 parks across Mid Wales and the Heart of England best-suited to the requirements of buyers.

Holiday homes and lodges purchased will be ready on site for the new season. “Within nine weeks of the new year beginning, holiday home parks will be opening for the new season,” said Tony Bywater, Salop Leisure’s chairman. “We have some fantastic deals on holiday homes and luxury lodges for first time buyers.

“The general uncertainty surrounding Brexit in 2019 has been very destabilising for everybody in the UK. However, following the December General Election result, it’s great that a decision has now been made that we are going to leave Europe in 2020. “I think it’s going to be a great boost to our business and to people from all walks of life.

I predict that 2020 is going to be a tremendous year for this country as demand for holiday homes and staycationing in the UK increases.”

Cooler Months Still Packed With Appeal

Posted on October 31, 2019

Cooler Months Still Packed With Appeal

ABOVE, The Caravan and Motorhome club report bookings for autumn and winter are up by seven percent

Caravan and Motorhome Club members are continuing to embrace autumn and winter touring proving that caravanning and motorhomes are great holiday options no matter what time of year. Bookings for autumn and winter 2018 to 2019 were up seven per cent compared to the 2017 to 2018 season, and feedback from the Club’s recent social media polls show that its members think there is much to love about touring during the cooler and quieter months. Some 26 per cent of Club members questioned said they enjoyed the autumn colours and 22 per cent loved long walks on crisp bright days, with 35 per cent enjoying the quieter sites and attractions out of season. Nearly 20 per cent travelled out of season to appreciate the sheer beauty of the seasonal landscape. The resounding sentiment was that whilst members want to get out walking and visiting local attractions, many also love the warm and cosy feeling of being in their campervan, caravan or motorhome over the autumn and winter months, whatever the weather might throw at them.

Harvey Alexander, director of marketing for the Caravan and Motorhome Club, said: “Our members are an active and adventurous bunch so it’s no surprise that so many of them enjoy touring during autumn and winter, and we are striving to keep more and more of our sites open out of season to keep up with the demand. “It’s great to hear how our members all get away their way – whether that be curling up with a good book and a nice cuppa in a cosy motorhome or braving the chill and camping in a national park so they can spend the days walking and cycling. “I’ve especially enjoyed hearing the tips that our members have for getting away in the cooler months, not just the practicalities of being prepared, but the lovely feeling they have of being safe and warm inside their leisure vehicles and benefitting from the great facilities we have on our sites.” NEW SITE Meanwhile, work to develop a new campsite in the popular Sherwood Pines forest in Nottinghamshire will continue throughout the winter and spring, ahead of a planned opening during the 2020. The campsite will be run and managed by Camping in the Forest, a partnership between The Camping and Caravanning Club and Forestry England. It will span 20 acres of Forestry England woodland and brings the total number of Camping in the Forest Sites to 16 across England and Scotland.

Green Motorhomes Deserve Red Carpet

Posted on February 28, 2019

Green Motorhomes Deserve Red Carpet

Fragile areas such as the Lake District should be doing all they can to woo visitors in motorhomes, according to the owner of a major Cumbria holiday park. Henry Wild of the 130 acre, Skelwith Fold, in Ambleside, says that people using such vehicles are helping to drive up the use of transport considered more environmentally friendly. Buses, bicycles and two legs are the preferred ways of exploring Lakeland for many of Cumbria’s thousands of motorhome users each year, says Henry. As such, he says, motorhome visitors help reduce congestion on the roads, and minimise the release of harmful greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. Last summer, Henry reports, motorhome visitors to his park grew by 8% compared with the previous year, and are fast gaining ground with many younger couple and families. But despite their size, he believes, motorhomes should be hailed as green holiday heroes – as long as they opt for holiday park pitches and not roadsides or public car parks.

TOURISM TRAFFIC
Much of the tourism traffic seen on Lake District roads is likely to belong to people who have already checked in to their destination, and who are now enjoying the sights,” said Henry. “By contrast, motorhomes will often spend the entire duration of their stay parked-up whilst their users find alternative ways to tour around and get to where they want to go. “The same will apply in many other rural areas, and suggests that we should be encouraging motorhome visitors in parts of Britain where the countryside is deemed to be at risk,” added Henry.

Caravans Gear Up For Another Busy Year

Posted on March 23, 2018

Caravans Gear Up For Another Busy Year

Salop Leisure chairman Tony Bywater predicts a big year from caravan and motorhome sales.

As caravan parks across the Mid Wales and the Heart of England prepare to reopen on March 1, a leading Shropshire-based leisure company says there are positive early signs of another busy season ahead. Tony Bywater, chairman of Salop Leisure, which has caravan and motorhome sales centres in Shrewsbury, Machynlleth and Stourport-on-Severn, believes staycationing is still as popular as ever with the British public. “We were a bit concerned about the impact of the wet end to last summer, but the disappointing weather has not dampened enthusiasm for caravan holiday homes, motorhomes and touring caravans which allow people to get away whenever they wish to a location of their choice,” he said. “The bills for rents and rates for the forthcoming season have gone out to caravan owners and there are very few that have decided to pack up their caravan, except through illness or bereavement.

TOURISM BUSINESS
“That’s a good sign that it’s going to be a very good year for sales of caravans and motorhomes. We feel that 2018 is going to be a great year of opportunities for our company and other tourism businesses.” He predicts that the devaluation of the pound against other currencies and the increased expense of flying abroad will persuade even more British people to staycation. Having enjoyed another successful trading year, Tony Bywater is very optimistic about what the new year has in store for both Salop Leisure and its associated businesses and caravan parks.

RECORD SALES
The 2017 year saw the opening of the company’s £6.5 million Love2Stay touring and glamping resort on land adjoining Salop Leisure’s Emstrey headquarters. Away from Shrewsbury, the company is investing £1.5 million on the complete redevelopment of Glan-y-don Holiday Park to provide 68 pitches on the seafront at, Tywyn, near Aberdyfi . The park is scheduled to open on June 1 this year. Further north along the coast, work has begun on a new £500,000 reception building at Min-y-Don Holiday Park in Harlech, which is set to open in March. During the year, Salop Leisure has created 35 extra jobs, taking the company’s workforce to more than 200 and reported record sales of touring caravan and motorhomes. “We remain very excited about the prospects for touring caravan, motorhome and caravan holiday homes sales in 2018,” added Mr Bywater. “We feel that 2018 is going to be a great year of opportunities for our company. “I think it’s going to be and outstanding year for all forms of self-catering accommodation. The devaluation of the pound against other currencies and the increased expense of flying abroad will persuade even more British people to staycation. “Investing in a caravan holiday home, touring caravan or motorhome provides excellent value for money for people who wish to enjoy a holiday or short break with their family anytime they wish at a location of their choice.”

True Value of UK Holiday Park Sector

Posted on March 23, 2018

True Value Of UK Holiday Park Sector

A similar survey in Scotland put the gross holiday park visitor expenditure at £700 million

The leading players in the holiday park sector are banking on the support of holiday park operators with a major study into the value of the holiday-park sector to the UK economy. This is the first time that such a survey has been undertaken and it follows the study done in Scotland in 2014, which revealed just how important the sector is; the gross visitor expenditure was £700 million and the gross FTE (full-time equivalent) jobs were 13,000. The report was invaluable to parkowners in Scotland because it enabled them to support planning and funding applications with hard facts and, in general terms, the report was used to lobby the Scottish Government, local authorities and VisitScotland. The BH&HPA, the Caravan and Motorhome Club, the Camping and Caravanning Club, and the National Caravan Council have formed a working group, the Economic Impact Research Group (EIRG) and engaged Frontline Consultants to undertake the research in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland during 2018, with the aim of publishing the report at the end of the year.

• Park-Owners and Operators, will be surveyed online between March and April to ascertain their expenditure on wages, maintenance, capital investment, etc, via an online questionnaire. A small, but representative, number of park-owners will be invited to undertake a more detailed survey by telephone. Parkowners will be contacted by email or telephone by Frontline Consultants .

• Visitors, who will be asked to complete an online survey between Easter and the end of September, in order to ascertain their spend, both on the park and in the local area, length of stay, kind of accommodation used, etc. The EIRG will seek your help to publicise the survey via your website and newsletters and at reception.

Without the participation of parkowners it will be difficult for the EIRG to get robust data and the funding organisations would be grateful if you could give your active support. On behalf of the EIRG, Nick Lomas, Director General, Caravan and Motorhome Club, said: “Committing to this major survey not only demonstrates our enthusiasm in working together for the benefit of the sector, but, importantly, the survey will generate some powerful, robust evidence which will help parks and organisations across the country.”

The report will establish the value of the holiday-park sector to the UK economy, enable comparisons to be made across the four countries, and provide statistics covering various categories, e.g. by area and by type of accommodation. The resulting report will be immensely important to the sector, especially as such a survey has not been done before and it will therefore establish a benchmark as well as identify the overall economic value. In Scotland, the overall profile of the sector was raised in both the public and private sectors, with key organisations and decision-makers being sent a copy of the report and publicity in the national media. The EIRG will ensure that the report is put into the hands of relevant key organisations across the UK. And, of course, you will be able to access the full report for your own information and use.

Open Season Showcase

Posted on April 8, 2015

The resident clown on the Holiday Resort Unity stand was popular among the shows younger visitors at the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome show.

Open Season Showcase

The UK’s largest start of season holiday showcase, the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show descended on the NEC in February and once again proved itself to be an unmissable exhibition.

With over 350 exhibitors and a host of well-known personalities, provided a popular platform for companies to showcase their latest products and innovations. The star-studded line up featured guest appearances from Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell, TV presenter Helen Skelton and DJ and former Big Brother winner Kate Lawler.

Popular TV personalities Ben Fogle and Matt Baker officially opened the show and later took to the Expert’s Theatre for a Q&A session with visitors. Matt, a two times BAFTA winning presenter with a love of the countryside, proved a hit with visitors as he helped to promote the work of The Caravan Club on its stand. Addressing first-day visitors, he said he was encouraged to see so many young people at the show and enthused about the benefits of families getting out and about together.

His counterpart, broadcaster, traveller and adventurer Ben also drew in the crowds as he delighted the audience with accounts of his adventures rowing across the Atlantic Ocean, crossing Antarctica on foot and running across the Sahara.

A highlight of the show was the dog agility displays, which returned to the NEC following the success of last year’s sessions. Demonstrating both agility and obedience, there were performances by Hall Green Retired Greyhound Trust, Romanian Rescue Dogs and Lucy Heath of The Company of Animals to name but a few.

Organised by NCC Events, a wholly owned subsidiary of industry trade body the National Caravan Council and supported by The Caravan Club and The Camping and Caravanning Club, the show brought together all the leading manufacturers, including Bailey, Coachman, Elddis, Lunar, Swift, Trigano, ABI and Adria, not to mention some of the UK’s leading dealers with many special editions to see.

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