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UK To Be 2018 Holidaymaker Top Destination

Big 2018 tourism figures released ahead of NEC Show

By William Coleman

Well, it’s official. The UK has now become a top player for this years go to holiday destination. Something we Brits knew all along.

ABTA, the travel trade association, have revealed that the UK is set to be the holidaymakers hotspot in 2018 as 66% of the British people are choosing to stay at home for their holiday time. 14% are looking to travel to North America in 2018.

The year 2017 brought the UK a huge wave of success in the leisure industry and proved to be extremely popular with both UK residents and visitors from overseas. We saw British adults take an average of 2.1 UK holidays at home, which was up from the 2016 numbers. The numbers were even higher when it came to families with children of 5 or under took 2.7 UK breaks. UK holidays with adults ages between 35-44 took 2.5 staycation in the same year.
With UK holidays growing in popularity comes the amount of money that will be saved for these holidays. Research shows that 31% of people are putting money aside specifically for their 2018 holidays. 47% of people surveyed said they are hoping to use the same budget as last year, whereas 14% plan to be a bit more thrifty and plan to spend less.
The numbers are already starting to rise as The Camping and Caravanning Club report a 10% increase in bookings, when compared to 2017, across its 106 club campsites for the 2018. 2017 was the best ever year for tent camping, according to the figures from the Camping and Caravanning Club, with a 13% rise from the numbers 2016 brought in. On top of that the leisure vehicle holiday numbers skyrocketed with an 11% growth.
Commenting on the rise of UK holidaying, Jenny Summers, Group Marketing Director of the NCC (National Caravan Council), the UK’s trade body for the tourer, motorhome and caravan holiday home industries said: “Sales of both motorhomes and caravans were up in 2017, with motorhome registrations rising by 14.9% and tourer factory dispatches to dealers increasing by 8.7%. This clearly demonstrates the continuing popularity of using a leisure vehicle to explore the UK and beyond.”
These figures prove just how big the growth of the British tourism industry is and will surely make the NCC’s February Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show a must attend event. We will be there bringing you some exclusive content. We attended the sister show back in October along with another 101,583 visitors.
Taking place at Birmingham’s NEC between 20 and 25 February, the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show 2018 brings together over 370 exhibitors and is the UK’s largest showcase of caravans, campervans, motorhomes, caravan holiday homes and lodges as well as new season tents, trailer tents and folding caravans.
The family-friendly event features a variety of holiday destinations and trip options. Show sponsor Freedom to Go is on hand to help visitors plan their next adventure and the leisure vehicle industry’s two largest clubs, The Camping and Caravanning Club and Caravan and Motorhome Club also provide advice and inspiration for all.