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UK Camping and Caravanning Market Report 2022

UK Camping and Caravanning Market Report 2022

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The UK Camping and Caravanning report identifies consumer attitudes towards campsites, experiences and holiday accommodation in the UK. This market report covers the market size, market forecast, market segmentation and industry trends for the Camping and Caravanning market in the UK.

Current Market Landscape

While the COVID-19 pandemic heavily impacted the majority of the holiday industry, the camping and caravanning sector saw a boost of 4.5 million ‘first-timers’ in the domestic market. Buoyed by a strong performance in 2021, participation has reached the highest level since the three years ending January 2013.

42% of GB adults went on a camping or caravanning holiday during the three years ending November 2021.
Some 38% of these ‘COVID campers’ are ‘First-timers’ – newcomers who took their first ever camping or caravanning holiday during the pandemic.
The volume of domestic camping and caravanning trips increased by 71% in 2021, reaching an estimated 16.4m.

Lockdowns and continued restrictions from the pandemic created an increased interest for family holidays. However, amid continuing uncertainty and ever-changing rules over travel abroad, following the easing of restrictions in April 2021 there was a surge in demand for domestic holidays with an outdoor focus.

Future Market Trends in Camping and Caravanning

The biggest threat to the camping and caravanning market is continued disruption and travel restrictions caused by further COVID-19 variants. The sector also continues to face the challenge of negative consumer perceptions, despite product improvements and much greater diversity of accommodation than in the past.

Key opportunities include growing demand for premium static rentals, glamping, unusual Instagrammable accommodation and campervan/motorhome touring adventures.

Read on to discover more details or take a look at all of our UK Holidays market research.

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The impact of COVID-19 on the camping and caravanning market.
Consumer experience of camping and caravanning.
Consumer interest in and preferences for types of site and experiences, and future opportunities for camping and caravanning holidays.
Consumer interest in and opportunities for purchase of caravans and motorhomes/campervans.
Consumer perceptions of campsites compared with other types of holiday accommodation.

Covered in this report

Brands: Parkdean Resorts, Park Holidays UK, Haven Leisure, Darwin Escapes, Pure Leisure Group, Haulfryn, Forest Holidays, John Fowler Holiday Parks, Aria Resorts, Verdant Leisure, Away Resorts, Hoburne Holiday Parks.

Expert analysis from a specialist in the field

This report, written by John Worthington, a leading analyst in the Travel sector, delivers in-depth commentary and analysis to highlight current trends and add expert context to the numbers.

A new wave of corporate activity in UK holiday parks reflects optimism that the staycation trend is here to stay, and will lead to further investment in accommodation and family-focused experiences. Camping and caravanning abroad will benefit from the rise in consumer interest in active outdoor holidays and campervan touring adventures away from the crowds, once confidence in overseas travel returns.

John Worthington
Senior Analyst

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Overview
- Key issues covered in this Report
- COVID-19: market context
- Economic and other assumptions
- Products covered in this Report
Executive Summary
- Impact of COVID-19 on camping and caravanning
  - Figure 1: Impact of COVID-19 on the camping and caravanning market, in the short, medium and long term, 2020-25
- The market
- Camping and caravanning staycations are estimated to have reached their highest level for a decade…
- …but trips abroad continued to struggle amid COVID disruptions
  - Figure 2: Volume of domestic camping and caravanning, COVID-19 scenario forecasts, 2016-26
  - Figure 3: Volume of overseas camping and caravanning, COVID-19 scenario forecasts, 2016-26
- Companies and brands
- New wave of corporate activity in the holiday park sector
  - Figure 4: Leading UK holiday park operators, by number of sites in December 2021
- Over 1,000 new pop-up campsites in 2021
- Pitchup reports a near-doubling in transaction value
- New campervan rental platforms springing up
- Instaglampable accommodation, wilder locations, kid’s play and greener ‘vanlife’
- The consumer
- Highest camping and caravanning participation levels since 2013
  - Figure 5: Experience of camping and caravanning in the past three years, 2013-21
- 19 out of 20 ‘COVID campers’ have stayed in the UK
  - Figure 6: Destinations visited for camping and caravanning during COVID-19, 2021
- Pet-friendly sites are in greater demand as a result of rising ownership
- Adult-only sites appeal to one in four
- Over one in 10 customers would seek a disabled-friendly site
  - Figure 7: Camping and caravan site preferences, 2021
- Experience-hungry campers
  - Figure 8: Camping and caravan site preferences (continued), 2021
- Glamping potential is four times bigger than current numbers
- Caravanning beyond the bubble
- Wellness and wildness trends have been intensified by COVID
- Surge in big-ticket touring holidays expected once overseas travel recovers
- Post-COVID working practices will create new opportunities for nomadic lifestyles
  - Figure 9: Camping and caravanning opportunities, 2021
- Statics and campervans can offer aspirational and ethical alternatives to holiday cottage ownership
  - Figure 10: Caravan/motorhome/campervan purchase opportunities, 2021
Issues and Insights
- Retaining the ‘COVID campers’
- 4.5m new First-timers have entered the market
- Affluent families have substituted holidays abroad for camping and caravanning staycations
- Premium accommodation and experiences will be key…
- …especially for women and mums
- But negative perceptions remain an obstacle
- The revival of overseas beach holidays will be a threat…
- …but also an opportunity to attract COVID campers further afield
Market Size, Performance and Segmentation
- Impact of COVID-19 on camping and caravanning
  - Figure 11: Impact of COVID-19 on the camping and caravanning market, in the short, medium and long term, 2020-25
- UK camping and caravanning hit the highest level for a decade in 2021
- - Figure 12: Camping and caravanning market, by volume, 2016-21*
- Total domestic spending on camping and caravanning reached £2.7bn
  - Figure 13: Camping and caravanning market, by value (expenditure)*, 2016-21**
- Static rentals have seen a long-term rise
  - Figure 14: Volume of domestic camping and caravanning trips, by segment, 2016-21*
- Glamping accounted for a quarter of total camping spend in 2021
  - Figure 15: Value (expenditure)* of domestic camping and caravanning trips, by segment, 2016-21**
Market Forecast
- Domestic market is forecast to remain around 2021 levels
  - Figure 16: Volume forecast for domestic camping and caravanning holidays, 2016-26
- New ‘COVID campers’ will help to drive premium spending
  - Figure 17: Value* forecast for domestic camping and caravanning holidays, 2016-26
- Overseas camping and caravanning is forecast to hit record levels by 2026
  - Figure 18: Volume forecast for overseas camping and caravanning holidays, 2016-26
- Market drivers and assumptions
  - Figure 19: Key drivers affecting Mintel’s market forecast, 2017-26
COVID-19 Scenario Performance
- Mintel’s approach to predicting the impact of COVID-19
- Fundamental differences in how COVID-19 is affecting consumer markets
- Impact of the COVID scenarios on domestic camping and caravanning
  - Figure 20: Volume of domestic camping and caravanning, COVID-19 scenario forecasts, 2016-26
  - Figure 21: Value* of domestic camping and caravanning, COVID-19 scenario forecasts, 2016-26
- Impact of the COVID scenarios on overseas camping and caravanning
  - Figure 22: Volume of overseas camping and caravanning, COVID-19 scenario forecasts, 2016-26
- COVID scenarios are expected to make the biggest impact on the overseas market
Market Drivers
- Booking confidence improving but still well below pre-COVID levels…
  - Figure 23: Holiday booking and intentions, 2019-21
- …with a high degree of uncertainty around holiday planning
  - Figure 24: When consumers expect to book their main annual holiday, 2021
- UK is now seen as more of a ‘main holiday’ destination…
- …but there is strong demand building for trips abroad
  - Figure 25: Where consumers expect to take their main annual holiday, 2021
- Omicron and cost-of-living crisis threaten to slow the pace of economic recovery
  - Figure 26: Impact of price rises/shortages, 2021
- Household finances will be squeezed further from the second quarter 2022
- Cost-of-living crisis may impact camping and caravanning less than other holiday types…
- …but rising petrol prices may encourage camping ‘nearcations’
  - Figure 27: UK average unleaded 95 Octane petrol price, 2020-21
- 2021 saw a resurgence of new caravan and motorhome production
- COVID savings could help to boost sales as caravans and campervans emerge as affordable holiday-home alternatives
  - Figure 28: UK leisure caravan production statistics, 2011-21
Camping and Caravanning Providers
- Leading holiday park operators
- - Figure 29: Leading UK holiday park operators, by number of sites in December 2021 and revenue, 2018-20
- COVID staycation has led to a new wave of corporate activity in holiday parks
- Campsites and glampsites
- Membership organisations
- Aggregators
- Overseas specialists
- Motorhome/campervan rentals
Launch Activity and Innovation
- Instaglampable accommodation
- Silent night
- Far from the madding crowd
- Child’s play
- Greener@vanlife
Experience of Camping and Caravanning
- Consumer reach of camping and caravanning at its highest level since January 2013
  - Figure 30: Experience of camping and caravanning in the past three years, 2013-21
- Statics have seen the most consistent upward trend
  - Figure 31: Experience of camping and caravanning in the past three years, by type of trip, 2016-21
- Under-35s account for the largest proportion of customers
- Glamping and motorhomes/campervans have the most affluent profile
- Families account for up to 45% of the total customer base
  - Figure 32: Demographic profile of those who have been camping and caravanning in the past three years, 2021
- 63% of UK adults have recently been or would consider camping and caravanning
  - Figure 33: Potential interest in camping and caravanning among those who have not been in the past three years, 2021
- ‘Potentials’ include a high proportion of women
  - Figure 34: Overall consumer experience and interest in camping and caravanning, 2021
- Lifetime experience of camping and caravanning
  - Figure 35: Numbers of camping/caravanning holidays ever taken, 2020 and 2021
The Impact of COVID-19 on Camping and Caravanning
- Consumer interest in camping and caravanning has shown a steady rise during the pandemic
  - Figure 36: Plans to stay in accommodation on next UK holiday, 2020-21
- 22% of GB adults have been camping/caravanning since the start of COVID-19
  - Figure 37: Camping and caravanning during COVID-19, 2021
- COVID-19 has brought an influx of affluent families into camping and caravanning
- - Figure 38: Demographic profile of those who have been camping/caravanning during COVID-19, 2021
- 38% of ‘COVID campers’ are First-timers
  - Figure 39: First-timers and Returnees to camping and caravanning during COVID-19, 2021
- ‘COVID First-timers’ are especially likely to have been camping or touring
  - Figure 40: Experience of camping and caravanning in the past three years, by ‘COVID campers’, 2021
Camping and Caravanning Destinations
- 95% of ‘COVID campers’ have stayed in the UK
  - Figure 41: Destinations visited for camping and caravanning during COVID-19, 2021
Camping and Caravanning – Site Preferences and Experiences
- Consumers have higher expectations than in the past
- Pet-friendly campsites are growing in popularity
- One in four customers prefer adult-only sites
- 17% of camping/caravanning parents under 45 would prioritise a disabled-friendly site
  - Figure 42: Camping and caravan site preferences, 2021
- Over a third of customers prefer sites with live entertainment
- Sporting and nature activities have become higher priorities during the pandemic
- 40% of parents with under-12s prefer sites with sporting activities
- E-bike hire offers growing opportunities for active outdoor holidays
  - Figure 43: Camping and caravan site preferences (continued), 2021
Further Camping and Caravanning Opportunities
- Premium products are the key to drawing more women into camping and caravanning
- Beyond the bubble
  - Figure 44: Caravan holiday opportunities, 2021
- Interest in glamping is over four times current participation levels
- Wild and solo
- Restorative experiences
- - Figure 45: Camping/glamping holiday opportunities, 2021
- Once-in-a-lifetime road trips
- Working on the move
- - Figure 46: Motorhome/campervan opportunities, 2021
Camping and Caravanning – Interest in Purchase
- COVID staycation and working-from-home trends have raised the appeal of ownership
- - Figure 47: Caravan/motorhome/campervan purchase opportunities, 2021
- - Figure 48: Caravan/motorhome/campervan purchase opportunities, by demographics, 2021
Perceptions of Campsites versus other Holiday Accommodation
- Negative perceptions continue to hold campsites back despite product developments
- - Figure 49: Perceptions of accommodation types, 2021
- Lapsed visitors have a particularly negative image of campsites
  - Figure 50: Perceptions of accommodation types, by camping/caravanning groups, 2021
Holiday Intentions in the Next 12 Months
- Consumer intentions point to another good year for camping and caravanning
- Three in 10 ‘COVID first-timers’ intend to go again in the next 12 months
- Overseas opportunity opening up
  - Figure 51: Perceptions of accommodation types, by camping/caravanning groups, 2021
Appendix – Data Sources, Abbreviations, and Supporting Information
- Abbreviations
- Consumer research methodology
Appendix – Forecast Methodology
- Market forecast and prediction intervals
  - Figure 52: Lower bound, central and upper bound volume forecast for total camping and caravanning holidays, 2021-26
  - Figure 53: Lower bound, central and upper bound volume forecast for domestic camping and caravanning holidays, 2021-26
  - Figure 54: Lower bound, central and upper bound value forecast for domestic camping and caravanning holidays, 2021-26
  - Figure 55: Lower bound, central and upper bound volume forecast for overseas camping and caravanning holidays, 2021-26
- Market drivers and assumptions
  - Figure 56: Key drivers affecting Mintel’s market forecast, 2021-26
- Forecast methodology
Appendix – COVID-19 Scenario Performance Methodology and Assumptions
- Scenario performance
  - Figure 57: COVID-19 scenario forecasts for the volume forecast for total camping and caravanning holidays, 2016-26
  - Figure 58: COVID-19 scenario forecasts for the volume forecast for domestic camping and caravanning holidays, 2016-26
  - Figure 59: COVID-19 scenario forecasts for the value forecast for domestic camping and caravanning holidays, 2016-26
  - Figure 60: COVID-19 scenario forecasts for the volume forecast for overseas camping and caravanning holidays, 2016-26
- Rapid COVID recovery, central and extended COVID disruption scenarios outline
- Scenario methodology

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UK Camping and Caravanning Market Report 2022

Current Market Landscape

Future Market Trends in Camping and Caravanning

Quickly understand

Covered in this report

Expert analysis from a specialist in the field

Overview

Executive Summary

Issues and Insights

Market Size, Performance and Segmentation

Market Forecast

COVID-19 Scenario Performance

Market Drivers

Camping and Caravanning Providers

Launch Activity and Innovation

Experience of Camping and Caravanning

The Impact of COVID-19 on Camping and Caravanning

Camping and Caravanning Destinations

Camping and Caravanning – Site Preferences and Experiences

Further Camping and Caravanning Opportunities

Camping and Caravanning – Interest in Purchase

Perceptions of Campsites versus other Holiday Accommodation

Holiday Intentions in the Next 12 Months

Appendix – Data Sources, Abbreviations, and Supporting Information

Appendix – Forecast Methodology

Appendix – COVID-19 Scenario Performance Methodology and Assumptions

Why Choose Mintel?

Below is a generic PDF sample report. Understand what you are buying.

Is this report right for you?

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