The UK caravan holiday industry is being boosted by reports of terrorist incidents overseas. More and more British families are choosing to take a “staycation” rather than an international trip, driving big increases in sales of vans and interest in caravan holidays. And while the floods in the North of England have affected the tourist industry there, the clean-up operation includes a big push to promote northern holiday destinations.
The Daily Star reported a 12% increase in visitors to the Caravan and Motorhome Show in Manchester from 12st – 14th January this year. Among those joining the crowds was model, DJ and reality TV star Vogue Williams, who was after a van to allow her to holiday with friends in Cornwall.
Steven Burnley, of caravan makers Wandahome (South Cave) Ltd, told the Star: “With the threat of terrorism people are seriously considering if they need to fly this summer. There is a general sense of concern about travelling into Europe and staying at hotels.”
High profile terrorist attacks in Paris, Tunisia, Turkey and Tunisia are hitting demand for travel to popular international destinations. And the migrant crisis is said to be affecting the popularity
of well-known Greek islands like Kos and Lesbos as pictures show thousands of refugees from the Syrian Civil War arriving by boat on European beaches.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advised against travel to parts of Turkey bordering Syria because of the threat of terrorist attacks. In October 2015 flights from the UK to Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt were suspended after a suspected bombing of a Russian plane. The Foreign Office also advises against travel to North Sinai in Egypt and Tunisia and warns of the risks of travelling to Morocco.
Vogue Williams, the winner of Bear Grylls: Mission Survive last year, is looking for gentler thrills than she experienced in the tough reality show. She said: “Caravanning holidays are the perfect way to connect with nature, get active and explore more of the British Isles. I’m planning a caravanning holiday in Cornwall this year with a few of my friends and I can’t wait for the beach walks, bike rides, beautiful scenery and spending quality time with everyone.”
Bad news back home could prove another boost for the domestic tourism market. The floods of the record-breaking winter have caused terrible damage to parts of the North of England.
As part of the clean-up operation, the Government is launching a big PR campaign to encourage us to travel to places like Cumbria, Yorkshire and Northumberland.
Included in the package along with a £1m advertising spend was £2m to spend on repairing damaged infrastructure in the Lake District, one of Britain’s most popular tourist areas. The Lakes are in Cumbria, but are easily accessible from the Lancashire coast, and attract millions of visitors each year.
The Prime Minister, David Cameron – who has holidayed in Cornwall and Suffolk while at Number 10 – launched the campaign at the end of January, urging British tourists to take patriotic breaks this Easter, and name-checking York Minster and Leeds Royal Armouries in Yorkshire and Honister Mines and Carlisle Castle in Cumbria.
