By Emma Dodd
Caravans and motorhomes are rising sharply in price, as a large proportion of the population plans to take a staycation in a leisure vehicle this year.
A survey conducted by MBH Corporation found that 20 per cent of Brits are still planning on taking a caravan holiday this year, pushing up demand.
Nearly half of those who said they’d be taking this type of trip said it was as a result of the coronavirus crisis and the impact it was having on foreign travel.
While it’s clear that many people are avoiding overseas trips due to the risks associated with passing through airports and the potential for countries to be put on quarantine lists, other types of accommodation are also less appealing.
Some 29 per cent of those surveyed said they didn’t want to stay in a hotel or bed and breakfast during the pandemic.
Caravan holidays are therefore seen as some of the safest ways to get away, as families can remain self-contained within their bubble and use their own facilities.
Peter Vaughan, editor of Which Motorhome Magazine, said: “It’s a combination of people not wanting to holiday abroad, get on a plane or a cruise and looking for a safe and enjoyable holiday at home.
“Pricing earlier this year was strong as dealers could not get hold of quality used stock and that was even before coronavirus. A number of factors combined then which saw stock dry up and that has got worse now.”
Robinsons Caravans in Chesterfield reported an increased interest in caravans from a younger demographic from usual, as well as more first-time buyers in general.
It saw sales of new and used caravans increase by nine per cent in June and then by 14 per cent in July.
With uncertainty about when the pandemic might end and things return to normal, many people see investing in a caravan or motorhome as a long-term solution.
