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Lancashire Times
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9:00 AM 19th June 2020
travel

Staycations Prompt Surge In Demand For Caravans

 
WITH INTERNATIONAL travel likely to be more problematic this summer, Brits are looking for new forms of accommodation as they plan UK-based holidays, according to a survey.

The UK’s largest digital marketplace for new and used cars, Auto Trader, has reported that views of caravan adverts increased 18% recently and views of motorhomes adverts also went up by 17% compared to the same period last year.

Two thousand adults were surveyed, revealing that around 40% of the population is planning a 2020 staycation - where Government guidelines allow - and that caravan holidays are set to almost match stays in hotels this year.

Only 40% of those planning a staycation this summer say they would consider staying in a hotel, while 33% say they would consider staying in a caravan - making caravans second only to hotels in popularity amongst those planning breaks.

Caravans are also set to overtake the popularity of rented holiday apartments and houses, which have enjoyed a meteoric rise in popularity over the past few years thanks to a new wave of disruptive rental websites and B&Bs.

Demand for rented apartments and houses this summer is set to trail behind that for caravans and hotels, with just 27% of those planning staycations saying they’d consider them.

The trend for caravans seems to be being driven by a need to feel safer: 37% said staying in a caravan would mean they could sanitise the environment properly themselves, to limit the spread of germs from those outside their family.

Auto Trader’s Rory Reid said:“Coronavirus has changed the way we live our lives in so many ways, and there’s no doubt this will extend to our holidays. Many are unlikely to want (or be able) to quarantine themselves for 14 days after a holiday abroad, so we’ll be seeing UK beaches and other hotspots abuzz with British holidaymakers this summer. Caravan holidays in particular will shoot through the roof. The idea of holidaying in a space that you yourself own, which you can clean yourself and which won’t have been used by others recently, is definitely reassuring.”

The most popular accommodations being considered by British adults for a staycation this summer:

Hotels – 39.90%
Caravans – 33.20%
Rented holiday villa / apartment / house – 27.20%
Bed & breakfast (B&B) – 26.90%
A friend or relatives’ holiday home – 22.40%
Motorhome / campervan – 17.80%
Tent – 17.30%