by Alice Scarsi
Almost 70 per cent of British parents would choose to escape in a leisure vehicle over a package holiday
We all know that freedom, adventure, contact with nature and flexibility are the key factors that make holidays in leisure vehicles so attractive, and now it seems more and more people are warming to the fact, with campervan and caravan holidays becoming the most desirable kind of holidays for Britons, having overtaken the more standard package holiday.
A survey conducted by leisure vehicle insurer Comfort Insurance with over 2,000 parents has revealed that 68 per cent those questioned now prefer to hit the road and explore the great outdoors with the family in a leisure vehicle, rather than succumbing to long trips to out-of-town airports as well as additional pains including luggage restrictions.
Its not just the reasons above that make the thought of hitting the road in a leisure vehicle more appealing though. More than half of parents surveyed also stated they miss their home comforts and, more importantly, one other key driver behind opting for a staycation is the ability to bring their pets along for the fun – after all, as much as your furry little friend is part of the family, try telling that to a stewardess half way through Fido getting stuck in to a bag of peanuts and his favourite inflight movie.
The rising number of a celebrity fans has also substantially helped make the thought of hitting the open road in a leisure vehicle more appealing, with celebrities including Jamie Oliver, Kate Moss, Rio Fernando, Take That’s Mark Owen, Lorraine Kelly and even One Direction jumping on the leisure vehicle bandwagon in recent years and raising the profile of what may have once been seen as a more stuffy prospect than hopping on a plane to Benidorm.
Whilst the above factors are obviously paramount to the upsurge in families opting for stay-at-home holidays, finances are also a driving factor, with leisure vehicle holidays offering great cost-saving benefits for families; over the course of 18 years it is estimated a family of four could save over £10,000 by opting to hop on-board a campervan rather than a plane to partake in a typical package holiday.
Peter Cue, founder and director of Comfort Insurance said of the survey results: “It’s no surprise that leisure vehicle holidays have become more popular with British families, especially campervans and caravans. They give you the freedom and flexibility to go where you want and take what you want. They’re a great investment and even allow you to take the dog with you to join in on the fun!” comments Pete Cue, founder and director of Comfort Insurance.
What’s your opinion regarding the survey results and what are your main reasons for adopting a leisure vehicle lifestyle? It would be interesting to know what you, our valued readers, think.
