2011 off to a flying start with success of Manchester Caravan Show

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by Holly Tribe

Despite the VAT hike at the beginning of the year, and the doom and gloom that has been saturating the financial pages of late, 2011 has got off to a flying start for the caravan industry.

At the first major show of the year, organisers of the Manchester Central Caravan & Motorhome Show 2011 have been celebrating a 25% year-on-year increase in visitor numbers.

Over 100 companies exhibited bringing all the latest releases to the North West caravanning community. Free entry was made available to late night shoppers in the ‘Late Night Friday’ promotion and a cookery theatre and dedicated kid’s zone provided fun for all the family.

Swift Caravans, the UK’s largest manufacturer of caravans and motorhomes, recorded £2.5 million worth of sales over the four days. The Group’s commercial director, Nick Page, commented: “The Manchester Show gave a very encouraging start to 2011.With £1.5 million worth of touring caravan sales and £750,000 worth of motorhome sales, figures indicate that the market for this year will remain positive.”

If you missed the Manchester show but still want a chance to see all the new 2011 caravans, you can enter our competition to win tickets to the Scottish Caravan and Outdoor Leisure Show. For details of how to enter, click here.

New guide to UK camping

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Caravan enthusiasts may be interested in investing in a new publication designed to encourage people to go camping in the UK.

The Rough Guide to Camping in Britain has recently been updated and features more than 300 sites to keep caravanners busy throughout 2010.

It lists everything from chic “glamping” sites with chandeliers to traditional family favourites, with readers being provided with maps, colour photographs and descriptions of some of the best campsites in the UK.

It is broken down into regional sections for easy navigation and also features sections on “the best kit”, wilderness camping, festivals and adventure sports.

The guide features a variety of sites for different tastes, including Hidden Spring in Sussex, which offers strong cider and its own wine from its vineyard.

Talton Lodge may also appeal, with visitors being able to attend pasta-making classes, enjoy home-grown food and sleep in a tipi.

Meanwhile, the Tourism Sustainability Council has suggested that travellers could do more to limit their impact on the environment.

Gypsy gang responsible for half of UK caravan thefts

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The gang of caravan thieves convicted yesterday (January 27th) are believed to have been responsible for almost 50 per cent of mobile home thefts in the UK.

Charlie Ward, Martin Ward, John McDonagh and Martin McDonagh were convicted of conspiracy to steal at Winchester Crown Court after police found over £1 million worth of stolen property in their possession.

Included in the haul – discovered after a massive police operation involving 19 forces – were £700,000 worth of caravans and £100,000 of jewellery.

The goods were impounded in 2007 after 120 police officers raided a gypsy camp near Swindon in Wiltshire.

Since the men were arrested, the number of stolen caravans and motorhomes in the UK has plummeted from more than 850 to less than 460.

Meanwhile, France Magazine editor Carolyn Boyd has suggested that British caravan enthusiasts may find a trip across the channel more cost effective than staying in the UK.

Less than a month to Boat and Caravan Show

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There is less than a month to go before the Boat and Caravan Show 2010 begins in earnest.

Taking place from February 23rd to 28th at Birmingham’s NEC, the event will showcase the latest caravans, motorhomes, boats, holiday homes and much more.

A number of top exhibitors will be showing their wares, including Swift, Sterling, Sprite, Bailey, Elddis, Lunar and Vanmaster.

There will also be a few new model launches, such as the Charisma and Europa 545 from Swift, which includes a rear dinette in place of the fixed bed in the 550 model.

Swift is also set to reveal its restoration of three classic models – a 1938 Eccles President, 1928 Sarari Minor and a 1964 Clubman Ten.

Meanwhile, Roma Caravans will display its range of coach-built models and is also set to launch a number of new trailers.

Rimor Caravans will also give visitors an exclusive offer, with prices starting from £9,995 and models not appearing at any other UK show this year.

The NEC is also set to host the Toy Collectors’ Fair next month.

Caravan crooks convicted of £1m haul

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A band of crooks have been convicted of stealing caravans and other vehicles worth more than £1 million.

The Wiltshire-based gang, which consisted of a woman and four men in their twenties and thirties, were arrested in October 2007.

As well as the theft charges, the criminals admitted to benefit fraud, with the court hearing how they were part of an organized crime ring.

Detective inspector Matt Davey explained that the group stole caravans and personal possessions as well as cash, jewellery, china and crystal.

“It is evident that this group had a profound affect on theft claims within the insurance industry who reported a 47 per cent reduction in caravan thefts in the year following their arrest,” he revealed.

According to VisitWiltshire, the region hosts a number of festivals each year, including the Swindon Festival of Literature and the Chippenham Folk Festival.

Both of these take place in May and attract visitors from far and wide.

Park Holidays UK creates discounts for non-traditional families

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British caravan site operator Park Holidays UK is hoping to make it easier for people to afford a vacation this year.

The company has acknowledged the fact that not all families are made up of the traditional two parents and 2.4 children by creating a range of offers for different types of groups.

Couples can take advantage of the Two’s Company offers by quoting Two10 when booking their short break or extended holiday.

Other special offers include those for single parents taking the kids by themselves and for those with children under the age of five.

Bookings for these offers should be made through the company’s holiday hotline and the earlier the vacations are booked, the more savings there are to be had.

“Save up to £70 on a seven night break or up to £40 on a short break for all bookings made before February 28th 2010,” Park Holidays UK said.

Meanwhile, the company is selling caravans at its sites for less than £18,000.

Swift Group reports good start to 2010

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Britain’s largest caravan and motorhome manufacturer has recorded sales of £2.5 million in four days.

The Swift Group recorded the figures after sales at the Manchester Central Caravan and Motorhome Show.

The statistics show that demand for caravan holidays in the country remains strong, with many holidaymakers looking to keep up the ‘staycation’ trend.

According to the manufacturer, demand for the company’s caravans and motorhomes is almost back to pre-recession levels.

The group says that sales figures were enhance by record numbers of visitors during the last two days of the show, but it usually provides an early indication of how the year will progress.

Swift Group commercial director Nick Page expressed his delight at the latest sales figures.

“With January sales bucking the weather and VAT increase and with clear indications of the family buyer returning to the market, demand now looks even more positive for 2010,” Mr Page said.

The Swift Group recently won four awards at the Motorcaravan Motorhome Monthly’s 2010 Awards ceremony.

Bailey Olympus continues the Alu-Tech revolution

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The new Alu-Tech body shell construction system found on the Bailey Olympus caravan is the most significant development in caravan production technology for thirty years, it has been claimed.

Manufacturer Bailey Caravans has stated that the body shell it has created is so advanced that over 100 bespoke tools were used in its construction.

According to Bailey the shell allows owners to holiday all year round, whatever the weather conditions.

Thicker body panels and extra insulation ensure that the caravan remains warm in the winter and cool during the summer.

“The Alu-Tech body shell sets new standards in durability,” Bailey noted.

“The result is a caravan that is triumph of engineering and technological advancement that offers real advantages of ownership; advantages that lead us to believe that one day all caravans will be made this way.”

As well as the high performance body shell Bailey Olympus caravans also come with the latest road safety equipment.

Dorset caravanners have beaches galore to explore

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Caravanners heading to one of Parkdean’s sites in Dorset will have almost 100 miles of Jurassic coastline to explore.

The holiday operator has three parks in the area and noted that they are in close proximity to a number of great beaches.

For those who like to relax, soak up the sun and build sandcastles, West Bay beach could be ideal, the firm said.

However, if riding the waves is more your thing, Boscombe Pier has a new artificial surf reef, which helps to shape the break into ideal conditions for surfers.

There are numerous other examples of beaches that are ideal for all the family and Parkdean suggested that they make a great day out for those who wish to explore the surrounding area.

The firm operates West Bay, Warmwell and Sandford holiday parks in Dorset and it believes they are the perfect place to enjoy a trip away with your loved ones.

Meanwhile, Parkdean recently recommended that those heading to Cornwall get out and enjoy the miles of beautiful walks at their disposal.

‘Lots to do’ in Edinburgh

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Caravan enthusiasts planning a holiday near Edinburgh will find that there is lots to do in the city, it has been claimed.

According to VisitScotland, the Scottish capital spoils visitors for choice with its many museums and other attractions.

Regional director for Edinburgh and east central Scotland Sinead Feltoe explained that the city enjoyed a prosperous last 12 months.

“Edinburgh Castle, the Scotch Whisky Experience and Camera Obsura all recorded exceptional years,” she said.

Her statement is backed up by PKF figures which show that Edinburgh was the only city in Scotland to record positive occupancy rates for 2009.

Ms Feltoe added that the capital has “world-renowned festivals” and a host of attractions to keep visitors busy, from art galleries to a picnic on Arthur’s Seat – the hill overlooking the city and the Firth of Forth.

Caravanners staying in the vicinity of the city could also make day trips to Glasgow, Perth, Stirling, Aberdeen and the Trossachs National Park.

Irish traditions ‘harder to find’

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Brits planning a caravan trip to the Emerald Isle may struggle to see traditional Ireland, it has been claimed.

According to travel bible Lonely Planet, the country is becoming increasingly cosmopolitan and modern-day Ireland is gradually saying goodbye to its traditional roots.

The latest guide from the company explained that the nation is becoming more and more like other European countries and visitors are having to look harder to find an older version of society.

It suggested that those seeking this rustic experience may have to head to the islands and isolated rural communities to find it.

Tourism Ireland agreed that it is becoming more difficult to encounter typical Irish traditions during a visit to the republic.

“There’s no denying that Ireland is changing. For people, especially those who live there, it’s changing for the better,” a spokesperson said.

She added that the best way to experience the real Ireland is to integrate and interact with its people, rather than visiting the typical tourist sites.

Park Holidays UK selling caravans

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Brits in the market for a new caravan are being encouraged to check out an offer from Park Holidays UK.

The firm operates 24 caravan sites around the country, but also sells holiday homes to customers seeking a base at one of its coastal or countryside facilities.

It is offering brand new 2009 Delta Santana Model 30ft x 12ft Extra Space caravans from £17,995.

These come with 2010’s site fees already paid and the chance to pay it off using monthly instalments as low as £260.

Designed to provide owners with a comfortable and stylish living space, the holiday homes consist of a spacious lounge and dining area, bedrooms, open plan modern kitchen with integrated oven and hob and a modern shower room.

The firm is also offering pre-owned caravans from £9,995, with even more manageable monthly payments of just £160.

Meanwhile, Park Holidays UK recently announced a number of special offers for its customers staying at its resorts during 2010.