Air passenger duty harming UK tourism

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The number of Brits enjoying caravan holidays in the UK could rise this year as the government plans to increase the controversial air passenger duty.

According to UKinbound, the tax is harming the country’s tourism sector as it puts Brits off flying abroad and discourages foreigners from visiting.

The duty is a disadvantage to UK businesses competing with European rivals, who are not forced to subject their customers to such extra costs, explained marketing and communications manager Ian Dulson.

Ryanair has already revealed that it plans to cut UK flight activity by 16 per cent as a result of the proposed increase to the tax.

“The main thing that’s really hurting us, especially in terms of people coming here or travelling further abroad, is passenger duty,” Mr Dulson explained. “In effect, it’s like a tourism tax.”

He noted that a flight from London to Germany would cost around £11 or £12 more than the same journey from a French airport.

Tingdene Parks to rejuvenate derelict caravan park

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by Holly Tribe

A £2 million deal has been agreed to redevelop a vacant camping and caravanning site in Suffolk.

Tingdene Parks, an established caravan park operator, have taken on a 99-year lease for the council-owned site in Lowestoft. According to The Advertiser24, the firm intends to provide 50 static caravan pitches plus facilities for touring caravans and campers.

The site has been the subject of local consternation for several years after Waveney District Council stated it could no longer afford the upkeep and maintenance and proposed to sell it.

After strong opposition from the local community, the case was opened up to a public consultation in 2006. The Council then announced it would look for a suitable alternative “to transfer the operation of the site to a third party with the experience of running and managing such operations.”

A £4.5 million re-development deal was agreed with Park Holidays in 2007, but the contract fell through when the leisure firm backed out of the deal, deciding instead to invest the money in their existing parks.

The contract was re-tendered by the council and finally, the North Denes caravan and camping park has a new operator.

Tingdene Parks run eight other caravan sites along the east coast of England and will proceed with a new site license application with the hope of getting the park open early next year.

In other news Park Resorts recently announced the opening of two new facilities in Lincolnshire and Norfolk .

Swift Group sign £30million financing deal

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by Holly Tribe

Swift Group has signed a £30 million financing agreement with a leading commercial finance provider.

GE Capital have arranged to provide a distribution finance facility expected to bring Swift £30 million in dealer stocking funds in 2010, rising to £60 million in 2011.

The contract will allow Swift to provide their network of dealers with on site display products until they are sold to the end user.

Nick Page, the Commercial Director for Swift Group said: “Providing adequate stock funding to our dealer networks is a vital cog in the retail chain, enabling dealers to display and therefore sell more of our products.”

The deal also guarantees payment for delivered caravans and motorhomes which is essential for freeing up capital and enabling Swift, market leaders in the manufacture of recreational vehicles, to focus on product design, manufacturing and sales.

The Industry Leader for Recreational Vehicles at GE Capital’s Distribution Finance business, Maarten Endel noted: “Access to working capital is essential to manufacturers as we exit a recession and we are very pleased to be able to support Swift as the company returns to strong growth.”

Swift produce a range of caravans, motorhomes and holiday homes. Their existing $200 million funding arrangement with GE Capital has equated to the production of more than 10,000 caravans, motor homes and static homes over three years.

Mr Endell added: “We are delighted to play a role in the future growth of their business as they build on their recent success”.

Confused.com introduce a new caravan insurance comparison service

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by Holly Tribe

Last year the UK tourism industry saw an increased interest in caravanning and ‘staycations’ as more families and newcomers took to the roads for the first time. Perhaps in response to this trend, the pioneers of price comparison Confused.com have introduced a tool for checking the cost of insurance for touring and static caravans.

The new tool allows consumers to access details from a range of caravan insurance providers – and is the first site to provide a comparison facility for this purpose. The new function sits in line with their existing portfolio of products.

Big name insurers such as Caravan Insurance, Towergate Bakers, InsuremyCaravan, Premiums Online, Your Leisure, AA, Better Cover and Wynchwood Insurance are signed up to the service, but the list is not exhaustive, with big name caravan insurers Safeguard and Lifesure not yet listed.

The caravan product manager at Confused.com is John Cooper. He identified a need for the market to be opened up away from specialised insurers, and provide consumers with a wider choice. His belief is that “caravan insurance has been the domain of specialists for too long. Customers now have the solution to finding the right cover at the right price.”

As we reach the midway point of 2010 the number of newcomers to our hobby shows no sign of diminishing. Last year the Camping and Caravanning Club announced it had reached half a million members, an all-time record in its 110 year history. The caravanning industry is already worth an estimated £3 billion and its popularity is rising with holidaymakers looking for cheaper summer holiday alternatives.

Mr Cooper added: “Confused.com recognised the increase in demand for such holidays with people anxious to escape for a break but without the cash to go abroad. Adding caravan insurance to our already comprehensive suite of products enables our customers to obtain cover at cheaper prices to ease the financial pressure.”

Norfolk ideal summer holiday destination for kids according to Parkdean

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by Chris Malone

England may be out of the World Cup, but there is still plenty of time to enjoy the summer and the warm weather this year.

According to caravan site operator Parkdean, which runs 24 resorts around the country, Norfolk is a great place to head on vacation if you have kids.

It suggested that the area is ideal for youngsters thanks to the plethora of child-friendly activities on offer.

The firm’s own Cherry Tree Holiday Park has a full timetable of children’s entertainment and facilities to keep them busy during their stay.

An indoor and outdoor heated pool should help entertain the youngsters, while adults can make use of the fitness centre and pool view bar.

Furthermore, the surrounding area has a number of attractions, such as the Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park, which offers great rides for all the family.

BeWILDerwood is also a popular place with kids and adults alike, with its tree houses, zip wires and other forest-based activities.

Park Holidays UK offers £69 deals

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by Craig Kemp

British caravan owners looking for a value for money holiday this summer may wish to check out the offers from Park Holidays UK.

The firm has drawn attention to its prices, which start at just £69 for a four-night break starting on a Monday or a three-night sojourn beginning on a Friday.

With thousands of holidays still available for September and October, the deal could be just the ticket for caravanners who are short of cash at the moment.

“As you can imagine these bargains are very popular and sell quickly – we release availability each week so keep checking the site,” the firm advised.

It added that the deals can often be booked either at the last minute or in advance, but that opportunists will get the best results as they change on a daily basis.

Even those who do not book a £69 holiday may find a trip to one of the caravan parks enjoyable and value for money.

This may be especially true over the coming weeks, with weather experts predicting a continuation of the warm temperatures experienced recently.

Parkdean: Cornwall to host foodie event

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by Craig Kemp

Caravan enthusiasts holidaying in Cornwall next month may wish to pack a loose fitting pair of trousers.

According to holiday site operator Parkdean, the Looe Festival by the Sea will provide a great opportunity for Brits to try some “grazing on the quay”, with daily tasting sessions from 11:00 BST.

The event, which takes place on July 10th and 11th, is set in the historic fishing port town of Looe and attracts food lovers from far and wide.

Some of the culinary delights on offer include oat-coated mackerel burgers, festival fishcakes and king prawn shooters.

Those who prefer their grub a little less fishy could opt for Cornish Orchards’ apple juices and ciders or Cornish strawberries dipped in chocolate.

Run by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the event also gives visitors the chance to experience life as a crew member aboard the Tamar lifeboat.

Parkdean suggested that those heading to the festival will find its Looe Bay Holiday Park an ideal base for the weekend.

Earlier this year, the company noted how Cornwall had been used as a location for filming a number of movies, including the recently released including the recently released Alice in Wonderland.

Caravanners make the most of the heatwave

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by Holly Tribe

Caravanners heading on holiday this week may want to leave their waterproofs and wellies behind.

The hottest day of the year was recorded in Gravesend yesterday as the mercury rose to 30.9C in the Kentish town.

The heatwave looks set to continue this week with temperatures predicted to remain in the high twenties across the South East of England.

The South East has many fantastic destinations for visitors to choose from. Campers and caravanners seeking sun could follow in the footsteps of the 100,000 tourists who made their way to the beaches of Bournemouth over the weekend.

Or, for somewhere more off the beaten track, head to Whitstable for a great example of a largely unchanged seaside town still full of independent shops and businesses. Then move deeper into Kent to discover the orchards and farmlands in the ‘Garden of England’.

Northern regions, Wales and Scotland may experience more changeable weather and some rain.

Have you been enjoying the sun this weekend? Got any tips for great destinations? Let us know of any great suggestions in our forums here.

Windermere Airshow to take place in Lake District

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by Chris Malone

Caravan enthusiasts staying in the Lake District next month may be planning to attend the Windermere Airshow.

The event runs on July 24th and 25th and is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year.

As well as displays and activities for visitors on the ground, there will also be a spectacular air show in the sky.

To coincide with the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, there will be two Spitfires and a Dakota taking to the air.

PR officer for the event Clive Langley suggested that visitors should get there early and plan their weekend carefully to make the most of it.

“See as much as possible of the ground events, as when the flying starts at lunch time it gets a bit hectic,” he explained.

Mr Langley added that those staying in the area could also visit the new motor museum at the south end of the lake or the Aquarium On The Lake, which can be reached by steam train from Bowness.

Park Holidays UK offers 20-year guaranteed licence

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Brits who purchase a caravan holiday home from Park Holidays UK are now set to be guaranteed a pitch at one of the firm’s sites for up to two decades.

This is double the traditional guarantee, which was extended from ten to 12 years in 2006, the company revealed.

While the length of the deal will vary depending on which park the caravan is located at, it should ensure that holidaymakers will have no shortage of opportunities to get away for breaks.

Even after the guaranteed period there will be the chance to extend the licence further on an annual basis, which is why many of the caravan owners at Park Holidays UK’s sites have been there for up to three decades.

“You can buy with confidence, knowing your investment in a holiday home will be there for you to use for many more years than ever before,” the company explained.

A number of sites around the UK will be guaranteeing the 20-year licence, including Essex’s Oaklands, Seawick, St Osyth Beach and Steeple Bay.

Meanwhile, Park Holidays UK recently encouraged holidaymakers to book up for their breaks soon to avoid the rise in VAT announced in the Budget.

Auto-Sleepers will launch first caravan model in October

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by Marcus Dubois

The motorhome manufacturer Auto-Sleeper has formally announced that it is to make an entry into the caravan marketplace. The first ever caravan from the coachbuilding firm will be launched at International Caravan and Motorhome 2010, Britain’s largest event for enthusiasts held at the NEC in Birmingham.

The range will fall under the banner “AS Caravans of Excellence” and the emphasis is on luxury, style and innovation. The firm have promised a “high quality product built with a Half Century of Experience”.

With a shroud of secrecy surrounding the product ahead of its launch, Caravan Times spoke to Auto-Sleepers and was told that there are no images being made available until the show itself. However we have learned that there will be a number of layouts on display for event goers at the NEC in October.

Current teaser marketing includes the tagline “This is no ordinary caravan, it’s an AS caravan”. And a glance at the firm’s history tells us why their first caravan is likely to be radically different from recent tradition, perhaps in the manner of new design platforms such as the latest models from Bailey.

An English manufacturer of campervans and motorhomes using coachbuilding techniques, Auto-Sleepers grew through their adoption of the monocoque body, a method also seen in car manufacture. The firm gained favour for their two-piece clamshell unit made from glass-fibre and therefore with a lack of edge joints. Seen as an advance over a traditional “sandwich” construction which can be prone to leaking and damp, it is likely that Auto-Sleepers will draw upon this build experience in designing their first caravan.

With more information being made available next month, Caravan Times will bring you regular updates before the official launch in October.

Skye Camping & Caravanning Club introduce new car hire service

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Caravanners heading to the Isle Skye may want to take advantage of a new car hire service.

Skye Camping and Caravanning Club have introduced a new on-site car hire facility after recognising a gap in the market.

The site’s franchisees, David Weller and Nicky Sellier, are delighted with the success of the scheme so far. David explains how the service is particularly useful for motorhome owners who might prefer to hire a smaller vehicle to explore the 50 miles velvet moors and jagged coastline.

David commented: “Our car hire has proved to be a real hit. Many campers arrive with large motorhomes and find that having the opportunity to hire a car gives them the ability to explore the island in full.”

There are four small cars available to hire, perfect for nipping around the island. Models include a manual Vauxhall Corsa, Rover 75 , Rover 45 and an automatic Chrysler Neon. Rates start at £35 for a day’s hire, with fully comprehensive insurance included.

David added: “Our cars get booked up very quickly so we urge all campers to contact the site directly to ensure availability.”

Recently voted ‘Fourth Best Island in the World’ by National Geographic Magazine, the Isle of Skye is the biggest of Scotland’s islands. While most tourists might stick to Dunvegan, Portree and Trotternish, hiring a car makes it possible to discover far flung corners of the Isle.