British holidaymakers face more uncertainty over summer holiday bookings after hundreds of flights across Europe were cancelled due to the appearance of another volcanic ash cloud. More chaos is set to engulf our own shores this week as experts warned of another plume of ash heading towards the UK. Yet there is one group of seasoned travellers for whom this news will have little effect: the caravanner.
Despite the indifferent British weather since the turn of the year, the Camping and Caravanning Club has seen a marked increase in bookings on its Club sites. Advanced bookings for the Spring Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May are already up seven per cent on the same period last year. Meanwhile website bookings at campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk are 23 per cent ahead of last year.
This follows a trend higlighted in a recent study by online company Travelzoo, which found that 12 per cent of respondents are now more interested in a UK holiday.
Robert Louden is the Club’s Director-General, and he told us that the widespread disruption caused by last month’s volcanic eruption will have a positive impact on business this summer.
“People look for certainty in uncertain times and last month’s volcanic ash crisis, coupled with the threat of further flight delays, has caused holidaymakers to reconsider their plans for this summer.
“We have seen an increase in Club Site enquiries of late as both members and non-members revert to what they know and look forward to a stress free domestic holiday.”
While those who rely on flights for their holiday are cursing the inability to reach the continent, caravanners are thinking ahead and planning for Europe this summer. The Club’s European and Worldwide Carefree Travel Service is also nine per cent ahead of where it was this time last year as more people opt for a caravan or motorhome touring holiday abroad, travelling via ferry or Eurotunnel.
