Interview With The Truma Marketing Coordinator

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By William Coleman

I am sure everyone has come face to face with Truma products, either in a van or at a show, probably both. They are more than just a heating and air con company, they are very much on the forefront new innovative tech within the industry.

When it comes to the marketing side of a caravan or motorhome you have so many tools at your disposal; the life style, freedom, layout and even different media packages. But what about the tech that goes into the van? How do you market that? And how do you make sure you stand out to the masses?

A lot of people buy a caravan based off of what technology is inside, we are very much in a tech driven age now. I wanted to find out more so I had a catch with Holly Clarke to ask how does one go about making a tech product so popular in the world of caravanning.

So Holly, you’re the Marketing Coordinator at Truma. How long have you been with the company?

Yes I am and loving it, I was offered the role in February 2016 where I had a one-day taster at the Feb NEC show where we launched the iNet. I was thrown in the deep end where I quickly realised what a close knit team they were which I think is so important. I started the role in March 2016.

During your time at Truma how much have things changed in regard to the rise of social media, and how the caravan world is slowly starting come around to the idea of using social media as a tool for advertising?

We’ve always tried to be friendly and engaging because we believe this is vital. Businesses’ like ours have used Social media for the last 10 years with a goal of increasing Likes and Followers.

We use it as a way of showing our friendly and engaging side putting a face to the company. Now social media is our most appealing channel for advertising and tapping into a wider more diverse audience who have the potential/means to buy a motorhome or caravan.

We make our content engaging and educational by posting inspirational messages, how they would benefit from our products to solve a problem they might have and to show them the lifestyle they can achieve all via this simple platform.

We now use social media as a tool for our customer service and technical too, we regularly receive technical questions via Facebook/Twitter as well as email, so we are able demonstrate a personal one-on-one level of communication and quickly too.

Facebook and Twitter has become a forum for caravanners to share their stories about “Life in their van” but to also transfer knowledge about the best products to buy and offer reviews to help each other make that all important decision.which in this industry is never on a whim, it’s not a cheap investment to buy a caravan!

Truma seem to have a very strong presence at all the shows you attend. We’ve seen you in both Germany and the UK and have been impressed with how interactive your stands are. What kind of work goes into putting Truma front and centre at the shows?

We start preparing for the shows around 3 months in advance, our head office and Marketing team in Putzbrunn plan the concept to run initially at the Caravan Salon, Dusseldorf in August and this is replicated at all shows around the globe for that particular year.adapting to suit each market of course.

Here in the UK, I customise the stand by using contractors and colleagues to meet our global standards. We use a digital agency to create the technical displays and have a very close relationship with them using them year on year and so trust them to set the displays up for us on build up, stay at the show for back up support and then break down on the last day.

We make sure that our displays are interactive to reflect the digitalisation of Truma and the connectivity we’ve made by our products working in unison, our Combi heating and Air con unit work together with clever automatic climate control to create a personalised climate.

Then there is our iNet system which acts as a central unit to remotely control the heating and air con and more recently to check the level of gas left in your cylinder! We are there to support our Dealers and Manufacturers too by placing members of our technical team and product displays on their stand so we’re on hand for their customers when making a purchase.

Not only do we attend the big shows such as NEC, Manchester and the Scottish show, we attend and support the Clubs at their Summer rallies too. These are less informal so we get time to chat with the customers and help out with any technical queries they might have but also to join in the activities run by the clubs.

In the past we have hosted Oktoberfest on the Saturday evening at the CAMC National where we provided entertainment, a Bavarian feast and personalised steins for guest to take home. It adds a sense of fun into the mix so we don’t come across as too technical. We are a family run company and like to show this whenever we can!

Marketing on board air-con and heating systems must take a very different approach to say caravans or motorhomes. How do you keep things fresh and different so as to stand out?

We design our products with the customer in mind and all the scenarios that a person may come across on their caravan or motorhome holidays. We put ourselves in their shoes and create a product that fits their personal journey.

Our lifestyle imagery creates an emotion that everyone can relate to and hopefully inspires them to “want to be that person”. For a real-life experience at the shows we bought a caravan and turned it into a demonstration space that could truly be their own. We take our time with customers showing them the roof-mounted and under compartment air con; feel it in operation, hear how quiet it is and to use the automatic climate control to set their own comfortable temperature.

The February show at the NEC in Birmingham is just around the corner. Does Truma have anything special planned you can share with us here at CaravanTimes?

We recently launched our brand new roof-mounted Aventa compact air conditioning system to add to our portfolio. Smaller in size to fit on roofs with limited space in between any solar panels, satellite dishes, skylights, roof racks etc you might have but still with the same cooling output for medium to large leisure vehicles. This show we will be introducing our Aventa compact plus which is the same size and style as its “Little sister” the compact but with an even higher cooling output.

You guys featured on Amazing Spaces on Channel for a couple of weeks back. That must have been a great experience and exposure for you guys?

Hmmmm we didn’t get a mention but we were filmed throughout the whole install of the Air con on the Silver Streak named “Priscilla” as well as our friend George Clarke carried out an interview with the couple going through all the benefits of the air con and iNet system (George sometimes attends the NEC show so I will be having words if I see him!).

He loved the product and tech aspect of automatic climate control and linking it to our iNet system but unfortunately, we didn’t make the cut. You can see the air con in the background though!

One last question, I promise. What can our readers expect from the Truma team in 2019?

Moving forward we are connecting even more with our retailers giving them value added services. We’ve seen a huge rise in demand for aftermarket fits such as our air conditioning systems, Solar and particularly our iNet system. To make sure we are offering a speedy reaction to these market demands we are setting up a team of Mobile Support engineers to provide our network of Dealers a fitting service and carrying out repairs as and when they need.

For anyone who has Truma products or want to find out more can visit them directly via their website, or contact them directly of Facebook or Twitter, and do not be shy as they are here to help.

Caravan And Motorhome Club Alderstead Site Review

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By William Coleman

This week me and the team got the chance to spend a day and a night at the Caravan And Motorhome Club Alderstead site where you can use multiple pitch types, camping and even some glamping.

At the Club’s Alderstead Heath site you would never know you were so close to the M25, which is actually very handy for getting in and out of major visiting locations in the South East.

When we arrived it was like we entered a winter wonderland of fog and mist, call me weird but it looked absolutely amazing. When a site is cloaked in fog it just feels like the perfect winter touring setting, some say snow it but that causes far too many dilemmas when towing and touring.

As you’d expect from a Club site things are very well kept from the generous sized pitches all the way to the spotlessly clean shower block. Despite the washrooms being almost perfect the deep clean still took place leaving the whole building smelling wonderful.

Even though we are in the dead of winter and the temperature is quite low, reaching minuses overnight, the site was still on the busy side. It just goes to show that keeping a location open during the “off season” can be worth it.

The site location is a hidden get away from the hustle and bustle of the M25 and local towns such as Croydon and Coulsdon. If you like your coffee houses there is also a large Starbucks a few moments down the road from the site.

If you do want to venture out by car or rail you a few minutes drive from Coulsdon South station that can have you in the heart of London within about 30 minutes or so, service depending.

If you want to take a drive you can pop over to Reigate where you will find a cinema as well as lots of shops and independent tea rooms, cafes and restaurants. And if you want some shopping or a lot more variety for places to eat you are about a 15 minute drive from central Croydon, where I grew up. Here you will find major rail stations, bars, shopping and in South Croydon you have a “restaurant quarter” which every cuisine you could think of.

For those who are looking for a more peaceful stay and want to make the most of the site you can take full advantage of the site’s surroundings. The location is flanked by lots of woodlands and walking trails that look amazing in both winter and summer, just bring your wellies if you are going in January.

The site is pet friendly so you can take your four legged friends out for a stroll across the North Downs or through Pilgrims Way which is a short distance from the site.

If you are a motorhome user or caravanner there are 181 pitches to choose from which are perfect for both vehicles as well as a camping area, 10 tent max capacity, with an electrical hook.

Another thing that has been added to the site are glamping pods. The Swift S Pods are great for a comfy overnight stay if you fancy something different, or if you want friends without caravans to come and join you for a weekend.

Our newest production team member Sion stayed in an S Pod overnight, his first time in any kind of glamping accommodation, was thoroughly impressed by his lodgings: “I had no idea it would be so comfortable. I thought glamping was just extremely nice tent stays. The S Pod is compact but spacious with its own washroom which means no cold walks to the wash block that is a bit of a distance from the pod, especially when it is that cold outside.

It is a great way to be part of the caravan community, despite not having a caravan myself. I think the Caravan and Motorhome Club have just opened up a lot of different holiday opportunities to a lot more people by adding their Experience Freedom brand to lots of sites. Next on the agenda is an Airstream weekend stay.”

The site has a long list of facilities for couples and families to ensure you have the perfect stay and features both a play area and playground for children.

Another great thing this site allows are BBQ, charcoal, gas and electrical. So when the sun comes back you can grill the nights away.

Overall this is a little gem of a site which I would recommend. It is well hidden from the world but close enough to be able to visit shopping areas and central London via a small commute.

To see just how foggy and mesmerising our morning there was click here.

Half Term Adventures Sorted By The Caravan And Motorhome Club

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By William Coleman

School holidays are the one time where holiday companies and travel agents decide that the prices need to skyrocket just because they have the ability to do so. This is one such thing that you will not find in the caravan world as the Caravan and Motorhome Club have some top suggestions for the oncoming half term holidays.

If you plan on getting the kids or grandkids out over half term on a caravan holiday you will be spoilt for choice if you have a CAMC membership. From the depth of the Cornish Coast all the way up the stunning scenery in Edinburgh the Club have you covered.

With prices starting from just £15 per night and annual membership of the club starting from just £52, families can have a great break this half term and all year round without breaking the bank.

Families can also get more out of February half term with the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s ‘Kids stay for £1’ deal. Children aged between 5-17 years old can stay at a range of selected Club Sites across the UK from as little as £1 per night over the half term break.

Here the Caravan and Motorhome Club has handpicked its top five places to enjoy half term this February:

Cornwall

As the most southerly county on the English mainland, Cornwall is the perfect place to get away from it all this half term. Take the family on a great day out to the Eden Project; often known as the eighth Wonder of the World it’s the size of 30 football pitches, kids can explore the exotic plants that call the attraction home and find out where tea, rubber and sugar come from. Get close to nature at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, Cornwall’s only seal hospital. Meet baby seals, walruses and larger seals, learn what they like to eat and even enjoy special VIP experiences. Carnon Downs Caravan Park is just three miles south of Cornwall’s only city, Truro. It is also a popular spot on the network for families with bike hire, a games room and play area available on site.

Prices start from £35 per standard pitch per night, based on two adults and two children sharing

Durham

Discover the North East’s great family attractions. Delve deep into the region’s history with a visit to Beamish Living Museum of the North; enjoy recreated experiences of life in the North East during Georgian times, the early 1900s and life throughout the 1940s. Visit Bamburgh Castle, which was once home to the King of Northumbria. Known as the ‘King of the Castles’, visitors can take a stroll through 14 state rooms including the stunning Kings Hall and Victorian bakery. The Durham Grange Caravan and Motorhome Club Site is located just a 12-minute drive outside of the picturesque city of Durham and features a children’s playground on site to keep the little ones entertained for hours.

Prices start from £21.50 per standard pitch per night, based on two adults and two children sharing

Edinburgh

Celebrate half term with a visit to the idyllic medieval Scottish capital. A visit to Real Mary King’s Close is a must-do for all of the family; the stories of Edinburgh’s underground forgotten streets come alive in special tours. For those with lots of energy to burn take a stroll along the Royal Mile and visit the Camera Obscura & World of illusions. As the oldest visitor attraction in Edinburgh, this place has been filled with puzzles, illusions and interactive experiences since 1835, not to mention one of the best rooftop views across the city.Edinburgh Caravan and Motorhome Club Site is situated along the Firth of the Forth and is only a short drive from the city centre. It is perfect for those wanting to combine the coastal scene with the city vibe. Dog walks and cycle routes surround the site, making it a great pit stop for those who also like to explore the outdoors.

Prices start from £22.80 per standard pitch per night, based on two adults and two children sharing

Derbyshire

Enjoy a very regal half term and explore the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. Steeped in 400 years of history, Chatsworth House is one of the most iconic stately homes in England and has over 30 rooms waiting to discovered; visit the state Banqueting Hall or Waltz around the Grand Ballroom. No visit to Derbyshire would be complete without exploring the majestic landscape of Peak Cavern and taking a boat trip underground or walking through the twists and turns of Castleton’s caves in the heart of the Peak District. The Chatsworth Park Caravan and Motorhome Club Site is hidden in an old-walled garden on the picturesque Chatsworth Estate. It is the perfect stop to spot a deer or two, as well as enjoy the facilities of the Estate including golf and tennis. There is also a playground at the site to keep the little ones entertained for hours.

Prices start from £24.30 per standard pitch per night, based on two adults and two children sharing

Sites offering the Kids stay from £1 per night deal:

South East England

Abbey Wood Club Site
Alderstead Heath Club Site
Ashridge Farm Club Site
Black Horse Farm Club Site
Brighton Club Site
Commons Wood Club Site
Crystal Palace Club Site
Gatwick Club Site
Wyatts Covert Club Site

East Anglia and East Midlands

Burrs Country Park Club Site
Castleton Club Site
Chapel Lane Club Site
Chatsworth Park Club Site
Clumber Park Club Site
Ferry Meadows Club Site
Poolsbrook Country Park Club Site
The Sandringham Estate Club Site

Southern
Broadway Club Site
Hunter’s Moon Club Site
Moreton-in-Marsh Club Site

Scotland
Melrose Gibson Park Club Site
Strathclyde Country Park Club Site
North of England
Bridlington Club Site
Coniston Park Coppice Club Site
Durham Grange Club Site
Knaresborough Club Site
Meathop Fell Club Site
White Water Park Club Site
York Rowntree Club Site

ales & West Midlands
Chester Fairoaks
Lady Margaret’s Park Club Site

South West
Minehead Club Site

Win Tickets To The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show

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By William Coleman

Who’s going the Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show? We are going to be there and we want you there too! Hence why we are giving away 5 pairs of tickets FOR FREE! All you have to do in answer the below question correctly to be entered into the draw for the tickets.

Over 200 of the UK’s leading caravan, motorhome and holiday home suppliers are set to take to the SEC, Glasgow 7 February – 10 February 2019 for Scotland’s largest exhibition and we’ve got 5 pairs of tickets to give away.

Whether you are looking for a family home from home to start holiday traditions or hoping to discover the hidden gems of Scotland while on wheels, the Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show has everything you need to plan your next getaway, from the latest caravans, to cool campervans and state of the art motorhomes, all under one roof.

The options are endless for where your next purchase may take you with the country’s leading manufactures and dealers on-hand to guide you with fantastic show only offers and discounts!

As well as the best selection of models, visitors will get access to the best advice with lots of holiday parks on site, as well as the major clubs and associations on hand to provide information on holidaying across the country.

Popping up within the show will be a range of outdoor tents and camping accessories for pitching-up at your next destination. The Accessory Superstore is the perfect destination for those looking for the must have accessories and awnings and there will be marine products on show including jet skis and dinghy’s.

For visitors who haven’t tried touring before, there will be everything you need to know and including information on Motorhome hire from show sponsors, BC Motorhomes, as well as free tuition for towing caravans and manoeuvring motorhomes with 20-minute taster sessions* – perfect for first-time tourers.

For more information on the Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show visit: www.caravanshowscotland.com

*Driving licence required and must be shown

Terms and conditions:

  • Prize is one pair of tickets to the Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show (travel not included)
  • Prize is only valid for one day and can be redeemed on either Thursday 7, Friday 8, Saturday 9 or Sunday 10 February 2019
  • The prize has no cash alternative, is non-refundable and non-exchangeable
  • The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show reserves the right to refuse entry without explanation.

Motorhomes Helping The Environment?

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By William Coleman

There are a lot of sites, parks and companies who are very conscious of what kind of carbon footprint their business causes and they do their best to try and reduce that. One park owner feels that motorhome owners are actually the unsung heroes of the nature conscious tourer. Is this fact or theory?

Certain destinations around the UK remain almost untouched, as much as possible in this day and age, thus meaning they are actually quite sensitive to outside elements like fuel pollutants. One such location is fragile area is the Lake District.

Henry Wild of Skelwith Fold feels that parks in the area should be doing all they can to entice motorhomers as he believes that they have a smaller impact on the environment. But why, they still use fossil fuels?

The belief is that motorhome users, based on his encounters with them on site, are a lot more likely to leave the site on foot and leave their motorhome pitched and ready to use as soon as they get back.

This is a very interesting point as my one bugbear of using a motorhome is the fact that you usually have to pack everything up every time you want to go somewhere. In an area such a the Lake District heading out on foot is a lot more doable as there are tons of walking paths, bike routes and these areas are much better seen on foot.

Buses, bicycles and two legs are the preferred ways of exploring Lakeland for many of Cumbria’s thousands of motorhome users each year, says Henry.

Due to the fact that motorhome users who visit the area much prefer walking, it positively impacts more than just fuel pollution, they also reduce congestion on roads which further diminishes the release of harmful greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.

Last summer, Henry reports, motorhome visitors to his park grew by 8% compared with the previous year, and are fast gaining ground with many younger couple and families.

But despite their size, he believes, motorhomes should be hailed as green holiday heroes – as long as they opt for holiday park pitches and not roadsides or public car parks.

“Much of the tourism traffic seen on Lake District roads is likely to belong to people who have already checked in to their destination, and who are now enjoying the sights,” said Henry.

“By contrast, motorhomes will often spend the entire duration of their stay parked-up whilst their users find alternative ways to tour around and get to where they want to go.

“The same will apply in many other rural areas, and suggests that we should be encouraging motorhome visitors in parts of Britain where the countryside is deemed to be at risk,” added Henry.

Now the same argument can be said for a lot of caravan users. I know a lot of people who go on short breaks to sites and spend the entire time either on site or walking around the area they are staying.

I am not saying the number is the same as it is much more likely that you will use your car to get around if it is there to use.

Without trying to throw up an opposing argument in defense of caravan users I feel that Henry does have a point, less usage of vehicles will reduce pollution.

However, he adds the caveat that “wild campers” – those who prefer a roadside to a legitimate holiday park – should be discouraged, not least because of the visual pollution they cause.

Skelwith Fold is taking part in a national campaign, mirrored by many local authorities, to put across the message that a park is a much more practical and comfortable option for such vehicles.

In contrast to a decade ago when touring caravans were king, says Henry, motorhomes now occupy almost 50 percent of Skelwith Fold’s 150 touring pitches.

Motorhomes also bring in increasingly younger couples and families, he believes, thanks to the much wider availability of hire and their promise of a more adventurous holiday experience.

To help motorhome guests stay mobile, the park – just a short stroll from Ambleside – offers electrically powered bikes for hire, and provides information on local transport services.

It has also provided additional “super pitches” to accommodate longer length vehicles.

Skelwith Fold was crowned last year as Lakeland’s top holiday park in the Cumbria Tourism Awards, and is the current holder of the David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level.

As well as touring pitches for motorhomes and caravans in its 130-acre grounds, the park provides luxury glamping pods, safari tents, and holiday homes to own.

A Century Of Towing

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By William Coleman

In the past 100 years the planet has changed dramatically, some good some bad. We saw a man land on the mood, the Internet, man learnt to fly and even pre sliced bread! This year also marks the 100th birthday of the first caravan towed by a car. But where did it all begin?

Following some earlier news regarding how big 2019 is set be for UK holidays it is very timely that we have been towing for a entire century. Over the past 10 decades a lot has changed in the world of towing, from technology to technique we really have come a long way.

If we turn the clocks back to the 1880s it seemed the need for living on the road was at a fever pitch and people were adapting trailers into a primitive form of caravan.

At its humble beginnings the caravan was actually a very good looking trailer that went by the name of “The Wanderer”. The Wanderer name has actually been adopted by the Caravan and Motorhome Club for their brand new series of onsite restaurants that only use locally sourced food in the kitchen. The first eastery of its kind is at their Knaresborough site which was one of the first stops for this pioneering caravan.

The original wagon was built by adventure writer Dr William Stables who was contracted by the Bristol Wagon & Carriage Works to build him an 18ft “gentleman’s caravan”. The Wanderer toured all around the countryside where Dr Stables wrote his book “The Gentleman Gypsy”.

Fast forward a few decades to just after the end of the world changing event that was The Great War and the UK was a very different place. The effects of the WW1 took quite the toll on the UK and the nation needed a jump start to get everyone back on track.

The Birmingham based Eccles Motor Transport company saw an opportunity to provide a new type or touring holiday home that everyone could enjoy, there was not too much air travel or European getaways at that point so getaways were few and far between.

Seeing that this type of vehicle was non existent they swooped in to fill the void. Eccles Motor Transport produced the first automobile pulled caravan.

Once it hit the market you had to shell out £100, which in today’s world works out to be slightly upwards of £5,000. What did you get for your money? A 9ft long and 5ft 7 wine 2 berth. Onboard it came equipped with a Primus stove and even a wardrobe. By today’s standards it looks pretty medieval but back then this was a dream for many people.

Simon McGrath, from the Camping and Caravanning Club, said: “Early models were made of wood and often lined with hardwoods like mahogany, making them surprisingly heavy for such a diminutive size.”

How do you market a brand new concept to the masses in a post War era? Simple, you tell them that if holidays are a problem then this is the solution. It worked wonders!

From humble beginnings a 100 years ago to 5 star touring accommodation. The world of the caravan is massively divers and literally has something for everyone. Some of the vans I have been in make my house look like a hovel.

While chatting away at the show to one it was said that the NEC can generate millions and millions of pounds worth of business for the caravan industry over the 5 day it is on. The figure can differ depending on who you speak to but it always around the £100,000,000+ mark.

So the caravan world is serious business and the industry is estimated to be worth around £6 billion. From plastic plates to compact air conditions systems the last 100 years of caravan evolution has made modern day touring safe, secure and most importantly a lot of fun.

Simon McGrath said: “Since the first commercially produced towing caravan was launched in 1919, designs and manufacturing processes have evolved massively to make them lighter and real home from homes.”

Pictures- Andrew Jenkinson.

Will 2019 Be The Stand Out Year For The Caravan Holiday?

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By William Coleman

2019 marks the 100th anniversary of when the first caravan was hitched up and towed by a car, and how timely this is as a century on its seems as though caravan holidays are more popular than ever as 2019 sets to a marquee year for caravan tourism.

The caravan holiday is as British as a bag of chip and a cup of tea, and I think that is why we all love it so much. It is a pastime we have all taken part in and it seems that this year could be another huge bumper year for the leisure vehicle holiday.

Reports are pointing to a handful of factors that should positively impact the caravan, motorhome and campervan world this year. The main one being the B word, “Brexit”. Love it or hate it, there will be some outcomes that will get a lot of holiday makers opting for beach side caravan holidays instead of the all inclusive European destinations.

If you have ever spent time in the coastal towns of the UK you will know just how truly wonderful a week there can be. A lot of people may not be keen on the potential extra costs that a post Brexit world could provide, renewed passport costs and potentially paying to get into EU countries. Yes it is speculation at this point but it has not been taken off the table so it could possibly happen.

A family holiday can be quite costly without adding the costs of a visa type charge and new passports for the family. Add to that the feeling that us UK residents would maybe feel unwelcome and you have all the ingredients to go for a caravan or motorhome stay here at home in the UK.

More Access To Vans

2017 saw the sales of leisure vehicles skyrocket as thousands of people, couples and families across the UK decided that a “staycation” was the way forward.

According to figures from the NCC in 2017 there was an increase of 13.7% in the production of touring caravans within the first 6 months of 2017. With a staggering 44.7 million Brits taking domestic holidays in 2016, 10.4 million of those using caravans, motorhomes or camping as accommodation.

Travelling from site to site you can see the effect this has had on both touring parks and local tourism. Even in the winter sites are 75-100% occupancy!

Not only are there more vans being purchased there are also tons of different routes you can go down to get your hands on a caravan or motorhome for a holiday. The Caravan and Motorhome Club have introduced the their href=”https://experiencefreedom.co.uk/” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>Experience Freedom brand where you can rent a motorhome or even stay on site in an Airstream.

There is also Camplify who have been dubbed the “AirBnB of the caravan world”. They have hundreds of listings on their site from your normal touring caravan to the weird and wonderful like a converted fire engine.

All of this has been designed to get more people into vans and taste that sense of freedom that only a touring holiday can provide.

Long Summers and Great Weather

The Great British summertime of 2018 was bar far one of hottest I can remember. Due to the fact that the UK is getting warmer and warmer each year why would you spend thousands on going abroad when you can go away every single weekend of summer for a fraction of the cost?

Having a caravan, motorhome, camper or even renting a static is much more cost effective than going abroad. Due to the fact that you can wake up at 7am and be on a beach by 10am why wouldn’t you do this every week?

There are so many beach front sites that the biggest problem you will have is choosing which one to visit next.

Even if you cannot get a beach front spot there are a huge amounts of sites that are just a short drive away from the sea side.

Time Is Money

Unfortunately for those of us who have not retired or won the lottery there is a limited amount of time that you can spend on holiday. One of the biggest issues with going away is the time it takes getting to another country and the all the problems that can come with it.

So you wake up really, really early to then travel to the airport 3-4 hours before your flight. You then have to go through security control, which is enough to put anyone off of air travel for good, to then just sit in an airport and wait with your fingers crossed that your flight is not delayed.

One issue I have found, which really does grind my gears, is how a travel agent will consider the day you arrive and the day you leave as actual paid for holiday times. Due to not having much control over this your 7 day break in the sun actually turns into 5 days. Day 1 and 7 are basically a write off, flight time dependent.

With a caravan holiday you do not face such dilemmas, unless you decide to travel the length of the country. No passport control, not crying kids on planes and you get to decide when you leave and when you arrive. Freedom at its finest.

A fraction of the cost, more time, more control and if the weather is bad you won’t feel as bad having not spend £1000+ on a holiday. Mexico, 2016. Day 1 and 5 gone because of travel and it rained every day in between. Never again!

Youthful Investment

The cost of living is not getting cheaper and younger people are finding it a lot harder to maintain a good balance between work and social life when it comes to going on holiday.

With property value and rent prices soaring in certain parts of the UK some young people and families cannot justify the spend on going away. Does that mean they shouldn’t? No, far from it.

We all need a break away from reality now and then and that is where a staycation can come in handy. Taking the kids to a caravan site for a few days over a bank holiday costs nowhere near as much as a trip abroad, especially during half term time, so we are seeing a large influx of younger families opting for this over flying.

Younger people in their early 20s are opting to buy campervans as their primary method of transport as they can use it as a dual purpose vehicle. A practical driving vehicle Monday to Friday and the perfect escape van for weekends or weeks off work.

So as time goes on you are seeing a shift in who is buying what vehicle and what types are selling more than others. Motorhome and campervan sales are very quickly catching up to the caravan as a lot of younger folk are now buying into the idea of staying home for their holidays.

There are more sites popping up all over the UK, more vans being sold, younger people are staying home to take holidays, sites are staying open all year round now and access to vehicles is easier and cheaper than it has ever been before.

All of these factors will make this year’s season one of the best the industry has seen in a long while and I really cannot wait.

Training And Refresher Courses With The Caravan And Motorhome Club

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By William Coleman

A little bit of training is never a bad thing, as it can sometimes highlight some newly acquired bad habits or perhaps reinforce some of your strengths. With the Caravan and Motorhome Club you can invest in some training courses and sharpen your caravannings skills.

For new caravanners, motorhomers and campervanners, or those who feel they need a refresher in driving their leisure vehicles, the Caravan and Motorhome Club has launched its 2019 practical training courses across 15 locations in the UK. The courses have been designed specifically to give tourers additional peace of mind before they head off on their touring adventure.

Running from February to October, each training course provides professional safety instructions and caravanning techniques. Sessions include:

  • Manoeuvring advice
  • Hitching and towing safely
  • Straightforward safety checks
  • Understanding the laws that affect caravanning
  • Practice in manoeuvring an outfit forwards and backwards
  • Understanding loading and how it affects towing

The training courses are split into: Practical Caravan Manoeuvring; Caravan Manoeuvring; and Motorhome Manoeuvring. The training can be completed within seven hours, whilst those who are completely new to caravanning can choose the Practical Caravan Manoeuvring course which offers 10 hours of professional instruction split over a day and a half.

The Practical Caravanning Course was devised in co-operation with the Road Transport Industry Training Board. Each training centre is staffed by professional Instructors and the courses are designed to be as enjoyable as they are informative.

Harvey Alexander, director of marketing at the Caravan and Motorhome Club said; “We are delighted to be able to offer these important courses to tourers. The courses provide excellent value for money and mean that people have the confidence to relax and enjoy their touring adventure with real peace of mind.”

Sustainable tourism at heart of Cumbrian 2037 carbon neutral plans

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By Emma Dodd

Cumbria has set out its ambition to become the first carbon-neutral county by 2037, but its biggest challenge will be to ensure tourism to the area is sustainable.

The Lake District National Park, located within the county, is an extremely popular destination for holidaymakers and tourism is an important part of Cumbria’s income.

In 2019, 48 million people visited Cumbria, contributing £3.13 billion to its economy and sustaining 65,500 jobs, reports the Guardian.

Cumbria Action for Sustainability is leading the push to make the county carbon neutral and has set up the Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership, which currently has 68 members.

Chief among them is the Lake District National Park Authority, whose involvement is at the heart of making this initiative work.

When she was prime minister, Theresa May signed into law the pledge for the UK to be carbon neutral by 2050, but it will require a large number of smaller steps to make that a reality.

Several stakeholders, including water companies and cities such and Bristol and Glasgow, have since released plans to be carbon neutral by 2030.

Karen Mitchell, CEO of Cumbria Action for Sustainability, told the news provider: “We’re not excluding being able to do it earlier. This is a climate emergency and we should be throwing everything at it.”

Last year, A Carbon Baseline for Cumbria report was produced by Professor Mike Berners-Lee, a Kendal resident and expert in carbon footprinting.

It found that visitors to Cumbria are responsible for 49 per cent of the county’s greenhouse gas emissions, although 36 per cent can be put down to driving to and from the destination.

The report concluded that visitors’ driving emissions to Cumbria are three times the UK average and their emissions from eating out and recreational activities are higher than those of residents.

This demonstrates the need for Cumbria to find a way to tackle the impact of tourism without killing an industry that is the lifeblood of the county.

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Celebrity Caravanner Kicks Off Manchester Show

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By William Coleman

Caravan lovers come in all different shapes, sizes and backgrounds. As proof of that the Caravan and Motorhome Club have enlisted the help of one of their celebrity members to open the Manchester Caravan and Motorhome Show this week at Event City.

20 year Caravan and Motorhome Club member Roland Rivron was on hand to kick of this week’s caravan show as well as doing some live Q&A and a stage presentations for all those who are attended the show on opening day.

Roland fell in love with the caravan holiday around 20 years ago when the BBC asked him to do a short TV show about going on a touring holiday.

Initially his better half was not overly keen on the idea and Roland had to do some sweet talking and convincing to get the family on board with the idea of a caravan holiday in the north of France.

Once the family got their they never looked back and now actually have a permanent spot on a site in southern France they they visit every year.

Camping Brands Owner Satisfaction Awards 2019

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By William Coleman

Last night saw this year’s Practical Caravan and Practical Motorhome awards and the winners of the Tent, Caravan and Motorhome Owner Satisfaction Awards have been revealed.

The Camping and Caravan Club’s President was on hand to present the awards at The Midland Hotel in Manchester on the evening of 17 January. As in previous years, winners were crowned based entirely on the feedback given by the thousands of Club members, Practical Caravan and Practical Motorhome readers who completed the 2019 Owner Satisfaction Survey, which ran from February to November 2018. The event saw 24 awards up for grabs which was run by The Camping and Caravanning Club.

Robert Louden MBE, Director General at The Camping and Caravanning Club, said: “We are pleased to continue our annual celebration into the best products on the market at the 2019 Owner Satisfaction Awards.

“Over the three year’s we’ve been running these awards jointly with Practical Motorhome and Practical Caravan magazines, we’ve collected invaluable feedback from tent, trailer tent, caravan and motorhome owners.

This is then shared with manufacturers where appropriate to help to improve the quality and overall reliability of their products. Ultimately, this then helps consumers and our members to spend their money wisely.”

Alastair Lewis, Managing Director (Hobbies) at Future Publishing, the publisher of both Practical magazine titles, said: “We’re delighted to team up with The Camping and Caravanning Club once again to deliver this important survey of caravan and motorhome owners – our brands are all about helping people get the most out of their passion for caravan or motorhome travel and to buy the best kit to help them do that.

“This survey is an invaluable tool both for readers keen to get insight from other owners and for the industry to help them continue to deliver great ‘vans and motorhomes and the highest levels of service for their customers.

It’s testament to the strength of our brands and their position in the market that this year we received more responses than ever before, and we continue to develop the survey and our presentation of it to best reflect the changing markets we operate in.”

This year’s awards features some brand new categories such as Best Motorhome Manufacturer and Best Caravan Manufacturer, awarded to the brands which score highest across both new and pre-owned categories based on UK new and used volume sales. Meanwhile, there was an increase in the number of 31-50 year olds who completed this year’s Tent Owner Satisfaction Survey, with more people paying less than £100 for their tent.

The full list of winners at The Owner Satisfaction Awards 2019 includes:

Tent Owner Satisfaction Awards 2019

Best budget tents (up to £300): Quechua
Best mainstream tents (£300-£1000): Outwell
Best premium tents (over £1000): Karsten
Best backpacker tents: Vango
Best weekender tents: Quechua
Best family tents: Coleman
Best traditional pole tents: Outwell
Best inflatable tents: Karsten
Best trailer tents: Opus

Motorhome Owner Satisfaction Awards 2019

New Motorhomes Best Manufacturer (Direct Sales): WildAx
New Motorhomes Best Manufacturer (Multi-Dealer): Adria
New Motorhomes Best Supplying Dealer (Direct Sales): Vantage Motorhomes
New Motorhomes Best Supplying Dealer (Multi-Dealer): Todds Motorhomes
Pre-owned Motorhomes Best Manufacturer (Direct Sales): Murvi
Pre-owned Motorhomes Best Manufacturer (Direct Sales): Vantage Motorhomes
Pre-owned Motorhomes Best Manufacturer (Multi-Dealer): Adria
Pre-owned Motorhomes Best Supplying Dealer (Direct Sales): Murvi
Pre-owned Motorhomes Best Supplying Dealer (Multi-Dealer): Meridian Motorhomes Best Motorhome Manufacturer (UK New and Used): Auto-Sleepers

Caravan Owner Satisfaction Awards 2019

New Caravans Best Manufacturer: Coachman
New Caravans Best Supplying Dealer: Peter Roberts Caravans
Pre-owned Caravans Best Manufacturer: Bailey
Pre-owned Caravans Best Supplying Dealer: Blackmore Vale Leisure
Best Caravan Manufacturer (UK New and Used): Bailey

Charity Dinner Raises Massive Funds For MacMillan

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By William Coleman

A lot of caravan parks, sites, dealers and manufacturers throughout the UK do tons to help raise funds for many different charities and organisations. From conservation to helping locals schools and hospitals the charity work never seems to stop, which is great. Following a gala dinner at the annual Holiday Caravan and Park Home Show in September raised a remarkable £22,246 for MacMillan Cancer Support.

MacMillan is a very worthwhile charity as the care they provide helps so many people throughout the UK during times of extreme hardship to help make life a lot easier and support the families of cancer sufferers.

So to help MacMillan continue with their work and initiative was put together by three of the manufacturers at the show – ABI UK, Carnaby Caravans and the Swift Group.

As well as the three above 4 other manufacturers through their hat in the ring to make sure the evening was a blistering success, Atlas Leisure Homes, Pathfinder Homes, Prestige Homeseeker Park & Leisure Homes and Stately Albion – and generously sponsored by Bankside Patterson, Belfield Furnishings, Dale Leisure Supplies, Eltherington Group, Leisuredays, MKM Leisure Division with MKM Building Supplies, and Morco Products.

In addition the Mayfield Group provided prizes for the grand draw which included a £500 voucher towards a break at the renowned Chewton Glen Hotel and Spa in New Milton, Hampshire.

The evening was attended by 300 guests, who most of which are from holiday and residential parks across the south of England. The event was held at the National Motor Museum guest enjoyed a drinks reception before moving into into the Brabazon restaurant for a sumptuous three-course meal.

The fun did not stop there, guests were entertained by performances from three outstanding magicians. The evening concluded with a hugely entertaining presentation by the brilliant ventriloquist, Nina Conti.

Macmillan Cancer Support described the donation as “absolutely fantastic” and said it would all be used to help people living with cancer and their families to receive essential medical, practical and emotional support. For example, it requires £21,510 to fund a Macmillan nurse for nine months.

The photo shows Tom Quirk (left), the charity’s fundraising manager for the south-east, with Michael Worger-Ritchie, managing director of Teamwork Professionals, who organised the event on behalf of the manufacturers.