Campsite visitor spending revealed in new report

A new report has found people who stay on UK campsites – motorhomers, campervanners, caravanners and campers as well as those who have holiday homes or holiday in rented accommodation on the sites – spend some £9.3bn a year.

The report, called Pitching the Value, is the first UK-wide holiday park and campsite sector economic report.

It said that visitors who stayed in rented or touring accommodation, such as motorhomes, campervans and caravans, spent on average £557 per visit (£101 per day).

It also found that visitors to holiday parks and campsites stay longer and spend more than the average tourist.

The independent report was carried out by Frontline Consultants on behalf of the UK Caravan and Camping Alliance (UKCCA).

The alliance is an umbrella group comprising The National Caravan Council, The Camping and Caravanning Club, the Caravan and Motorhome Club and the British Holiday & Home Parks Association.

“This is a ground-breaking report that clearly demonstrates the important benefits to the economy brought by the UK’s many holiday parks and campsites,” said Bob Hill, who led the UKCCA joint working group. “Our findings reinforce the importance of holiday parks and campsites to the country’s tourism economy. That will help us to improve holidaymakers’ on-site experiences and choice, which in turn will also attract more overseas visitors to these shores.”

The four sponsoring organisations of the UKCCA own or are affiliated to 6,243 holiday parks and campsites across the UK with a combined total of 438,076 pitches. Those sites offer touring pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes, rented holiday homes, lodges, and chalets, plus glamping units like tipis and yurts, together with a wide selection of on-site facilities.

All pictures courtesy UKCCA