Guests staying at holiday parks and campsites in the UK generate a total of £12.2 billion in visitor spending, a report from the UK Caravan and Camping Alliance (UKCCA) has revealed.
In its ‘Pitching the Value’ report, the UKCCA highlighted the important impact touring has on the UK domestic tourism scene, with visitor expenditure equalling £7.2 billion Gross Value Added (GVA) to the UK economy and also supporting 226,745 full time jobs.
The report went on to reveal the average touring visitor and holiday caravan owner would be spending an average of just over £100 a day, incorporating both onsite and offsite purchases.
The best caravan parks will offer relaxing bases with good facilities and plenty to do in the surrounding area, as seen by the fact that caravanners are likely to stay for 82% longer than the national tourism average, as well as spend 12% more.
Caravanners also feel their holidays are offering good value for money, with a survey of over 5,200 people finding that the UK’s holiday parks and campsites are thought of as providing affordable accommodation for everyone.
The UKCCA’s spokesperson, Bob Hill, said: “It’s vitally important to see how much the holiday park and campsite industry contributes to the UK economy. Despite the challenges of the past few years, and those still to be faced in the future, the sector is vibrant and optimistic. It continues to invest in its sites, services, accommodation types and local communities, which demonstrates a commitment and strong confidence in the sector.”
“Holiday parks and campsites also have strong ties to the local communities in which they are based, whether that’s through employment, supporting local marketing or fundraising initiatives or even, in some cases, because they have been run as multi-generational businesses for many years. That connection to local people is really important to our campsite and holiday park operators.”
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