UK is British travellers' desination of choice for 2018

Recent research by travel trade association ABTA has revealed the UK is set to be British holidaymakers’ destination of choice in 2018, as 66% of the British population are already planning time away closer to home

Europe follows a close second with 63% planning to visit and 14% look to travel to North America.

2017 was a popular year for UK breaks, with British adults taking an average of 2.1 UK holidays, up on the previous year.

Families with children aged five and over enjoyed 2.7 UK breaks and adults aged 35 to 44 ventured on 2.5 domestic vacations.

Research indicates that British spending on holidays will also increase, as a significant 31% are putting aside more money for their vacations in 2018. Almost a half are hoping to spend the same and just 14% plan to spend less.

Fresh figures from The Camping and Caravanning Club suggest the trend is already underway, reporting a 10% increase in bookings across its 106  campsites for the 2018 season year-to-date versus 2017.

The Caravan and Motorhome Club also supports the forecast, announcing that 2017 was the best-ever year for tent camping, with a 13% increase compared to 2016 and its best-ever figures currently for winter camping.

Leisure vehicle holidays were also up in 2017 with the club reporting an 11% growth in pitch nights over 2016 and a record November for touring caravan, motorhome and campervan stays.

Commenting on the rise of UK holidaying, Jenny Summers, Group Marketing Director of the NCC (National Caravan Council), said: “Sales of both motorhomes and caravans were up in 2017, with motorhome registrations rising by 14.9% and tourer factory dispatches to dealers increasing by 8.7%. This clearly demonstrates the continuing popularity of using a leisure vehicle to explore the UK and beyond.”

The growth of the British tourism industry augurs well for the NCC’s next event in February, the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show 2018.

MMM magazine, Britain's best-selling motorhome magazine, will be at the show and will be encouraging those attending to explore motorhoming - the greatest hobby on earth! It will be on stand 3010.

Taking place at Birmingham’s NEC between 20 and 25 February, the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show 2018 brings together over 370 exhibitors and is the UK’s largest showcase of caravans, campervans, motorhomes, caravan holiday homes and lodges as well as new season tents, trailer tents and folding caravans.