Calls to cut tourism tax

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Brits taking caravan holidays in the UK could soon find the prices of attractions falling, if calls to cut tourism tax are carried through.

The British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions (BALPPA) has noted that such reductions have benefited a number of European nations and there have been claims that similar results could be achieved in Britain.

According to BALPPA, the move would have far-reaching advantages that would benefit more than just caravan enthusiasts.

It argued that such a decision would help attract capital investment, develop products, create jobs and train staff.

Liberal Democrat frontbench spokesperson for culture, media and sport Don Foster and Conservative Tourism Taskforce chairman John Lewis are both behind the move.

However, minister for culture, creative industries and tourism Margaret Hodge explained that it would be premature to say such a decision is imminent.

“If anybody in the current public expenditure climate says to you that in the immediate future we will have a reduction in VAT on hotel and accommodation [it] is sending out a false prospectus,” she said.

Debate over tourism minister position

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Caravan enthusiasts could eventually be affected by the debate that is raging over calls to establish a tourism minister role in the UK.

The first ever manifesto from ABTA – The Travel Association suggested that the industry would benefit from having a dedicated parliamentary voice, but not everyone agrees that this is necessary.

Not only have travel industry stakeholders been contributing their opinions on the matter, politicians have also been discussing the possible pros and cons of such a move.

Yesterday’s (March 17th) Best of Britain and Ireland Trade Forum event saw a number of politicians discuss the issue during the Tourism Society’s Question Time.

Shadow secretary of state for culture, media and sport Don Foster said that creating the position would not benefit the industry – a view shared by culture, creative industries and tourism minister Margaret Hodge.

Mr Foster said what the industry really needs in order to survive and flourish is the full support of the government.

However, Conservative Tourism Taskforce chairman John Lewis explained that his party likes the idea of the tourism sector having a “strong voice”.

Mr Lewis added that it is unclear whether ministers currently understand the needs of the industry and suggested that having a dedicated guardian could help remedy this.

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Park Holidays UK books top acts

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Caravan enthusiasts heading to a Park Holidays UK site this summer may be in for a treat, with a number of top acts set to appear over the coming months.

The company confirmed that Britain’s Got Talent 2008 finalists Portlan are set to appear at a number of its sites.

The RnB dance act, formerly known as Nemesis, is promoting the September release of its single Bang Your Head and will play sets at Steeple Bay, Felixstowe Beach, Solent, Marlie Farm, Seaview, Alberta, St Osyth and New Beach throughout August.

Meanwhile, X Factor 2007 stars Same Difference are also set to appear at a number of sites throughout July and August.

The brother and sister act is targeted mainly at teenagers and kids and is due to release a second album this year after signing for PopLife Records.

Their first LP was released in December 2008 entitled Pop following the release of their debut single We R One in November of the same year.

Meanwhile, Peter Andre recently appeared at Seawick Holiday Park’s The Venue, much to the delight of holidaymakers at the caravan site.

Haven to welcome X-Factor star

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A national star is set to grace the stage at a north Wales caravan park during the Easter holidays, it has been revealed.

According to Haven, X-Factor singer Lloyd Daniels will appear at its Presthaven Sands Holiday Park near Prestatyn.

The youngster was mentored by sexy Geordie star Cheryl Cole during his time on the hit ITV show and will be bringing his experience to the caravan site on April 8th.

Aged just 17, Lloyd just missed out on getting through to the semi-finals of the prestigious competition.

Presthaven Sands general manager Keith Robson explained that it will be a pleasure to have the star playing at the site.

“He has been a big success story for Welsh talent and has a huge following of fans,” he said.

The park is no stranger to celebrities, with Manchester United and England star Rio Ferdinand sharing a break with his family there last year.

The defender will be hoping to remain injury-free for the rest of the season to boost his chances of appearing at the World Cup in South Africa this summer.

Haven puts on Easter offers

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A UK-based caravan site operator is hoping to attract families to its parks over the Easter break by drawing attention to its deals.

Haven Holidays has 35 facilities around the UK and allows holidaymakers free access to a range of activities.

The firm is offering families of up to six people the chance to spend the Easter-long weekend in one of its holiday homes for less than £200.

Kids staying at the parks can benefit from the free Learn2Swim lessons, whole football coaching sessions and kids’ clubs, while day and evening entertainment are also provided without extra charge.

Each of the resorts has heated leisure pools, sports courts and a range of activities on offer, such as adventure golf, climbing walls and golf courses.

The company recently announced that X-Factor star Lloyd Daniels is set to attend its Presthaven Sands Holiday Park, with the young Welshman performing on April 8th.

Simple launches caravan insurance online

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Caravan owners can now insure their mobile homes through Simple after the firm launched its policies online.

The provider has made its cover available through jml-insurance.co.uk ahead of the Easter holidays, which are likely to see many of the UK’s caravan enthusiasts head away for a well-earned break.

Figures from the National Caravan Council show that there are 498,000 touring caravans, 112,000 motorhomes and 335,000 caravan holiday homes in the UK.

Simple will gain a foothold in the market by attracting the owners of these vehicles ahead of what is expected to be a busy 2010 holiday season.

The company will cover vehicles valued between £1,000 and £40,000 and aims to offer low-cost cover for all customers.

It offers a range of discounts dependent on the features of the vehicle, including up to five per cent off for those with alarms, Caravan Club members and users of CaSSOA certified storage sites.

Owners who have installed a tracker on their holiday home will also gain a ten per cent discount, further helping to cut the cost of their cover.

Meanwhile, Visit Devon has released a list of Easter break activities that may appeal to caravanners in the area over the coming month.

Devon caravanners to enjoy action-packed Easter

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Caravan enthusiasts staying in Devon over the Easter holidays will have no end of activities to keep them busy.

From water-based fun to wilderness survival skills training, the county has a lot to offer visitors during the spring break, according to Visit Devon.

Adrenaline junkies might enjoy one of the Kayaking and Canoeing Extravaganza days at Plymouth’s Mount Batten Centre, which take place on April 9th and 16th.

Kids can also get out into the wild and learn some wilderness skills by taking part in the Junior Rangers Bushcraft events in Haldon Forest Park.

The days will allow attendees to pick up knowledge of tracking animals, lighting fires and building shelters and take place on April 6th and 8th.

Those who fancy something more mellow could head to Pennywell Farm in Buckfastleigh, where they can take part in the Meet the Spring Babies events from April 2nd to 5th.

It will see visitors given the chance to be introduced to the newborn lambs, chicks, ducks and goat kids that have become the farm’s latest residents.

Information on a whole range of other events is available from Visit Devon and caravanners will also be able to take advantage of all that Devon has to offer throughout the year, including coastal walks and beautiful beaches.

Win 10 pairs of tickets to British Leisure Show 2010

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The sun is shining this week across the UK and with the appearance of sunshine, our thoughts often turn to taking a trip outdoors. And this weekend a three-day event is being held in Windsor to help you plan your next outdoor holiday.

Billed as “the ultimate leisure lifestyle show”, the British Leisure Show is taking place at the historic Royal Windor Racecourse between Friday 19th – Sunday 21st March. In its inaugural year the Show will bring together the latest 2010 models from caravan and motorhome manufacturers as well as demonstrations, competitions and ‘have a go’ activities. With boats, motorbikes and classic cars on display, there is a wealth of things to see and do.

Caravan Times in partnership with the organisers of the British Leisure Show are offering our readers a chance to be there for FREE this weekend! We have ten pairs of tickets to give away on a first come, first serve basis. The first ten people who enter the competition will receive a pair of free tickets, which entitles them to free parking and entry on any of the three days.

If you would like to enter the competition, all you have to do is click the link below and fill in your details.

However, do make sure you enter the promotional code Caravantimes (all one word) in the box marked “Ticket Promo Code” for a chance to win.

Win 10 pairs of tickets to British Leisure Show with Caravan Times

The closing date is Thursday 16 March. Good luck!

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

1. To enter a Caravan Times competition you must be:
(a) UK resident; and
(b) 18 years old or over at the time of entry.

2. Competitions are not open to employees (or members of their immediate families) of Caravan Times, or any subsidiary of Adfero.

3. No purchase necessary.

4. Only one entry per person.

5. If you want to enter this competition you must enter via the British Leisure Show page.

6. Sending an e-mail is not proof that we have received your entry. No responsibility can be accepted for entries that are lost or delayed, or which are not received for any reason.

7. The ten winners will be selected by the organisers of British Leisure Show, whose decision is final.

8. The closing date is as specified in each competition, and we reserve the right to amend the competition details at any time.

9. If you win a competition, we will notify you by e-mail. The organiser’s decision will be final, and no other correspondence will be entered into.

10. No part of a prize is exchangeable for cash or any other prize.

Caravan in Ireland for St Patrick’s Day

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Those currently on a caravan holiday in Ireland could head to Dublin’s fair city where the party has already begun ahead of St Patrick’s Day tomorrow (March 17th).

All over the world, people of Irish descent commemorate their history on the patron saint’s day, but the celebrations are probably at their biggest in the Irish capital.

Tourism Ireland explained that it is not too late for those wishing to head to Dublin to join the party.

Consumer marketing manager Vera Stedman explained that being in the city will mean visitors are caught up in the celebrations and that it would be “impossible” not to feel part of the events.

A number of parties have been going on in the run-up to the big day, with tonight seeing the Festival Ceili take place.

Traditional Irish music and dancing will help get revellers in the mood for tomorrow’s 3kmparade through the streets, which Ms Stedman revealed “takes over the centre of the city completely”.

At least 50,000 foreign visitors are expected to turn out for the event, which is not to be missed by those in town on St Paddy’s Day.

Caravan owner to dispute court decision

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A man has been given permission to refute a decision that saw him lose his planning consent to site a number of mobile homes on land in Colney Heath in Hertfordshire.

Peter Robb will challenge the High Court ruling that stripped him of his authorisation to keep three caravans at the site.

According to the Herts Advertiser, the traveller had been living at Nuckies Farm, but lost his five-year permission thanks to a ruling from deputy judge Tim Corner.

However, he is set to appeal in the hope of having the decision overturned, despite the deputy judge ruling that the inspector who granted the initial planning consent had failed to take into consideration the environmental impact of the caravans.

A new hearing is to take place with a different inspector, where Mr Robb hopes to have his permission renewed.

Tragedy at caravan park

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Tragedy has struck at a Scottish caravan site where two people were found dead inside a mobile home.

Fire safety is always an issue to be aware of when staying in a caravan and this latest news should highlight that fact.

A man and a woman were discovered dead inside a static caravan in Gartocharn’s Lagganbeg Caravan Park.

Fire crews had been called to deal with the blaze at around 06:15 GMT and, despite having it under control less than an hour later, were unable to save the victims.

The pair are believed to have been a 65-year-old man and a 59-year-old woman and while police have yet to name them, it does not appear that there were any suspicious circumstances.

Due to the flammable nature of caravans, it is vital to ensure that the proper safety precautions are taken, including having a fire alarm fitted and an extinguisher within easy reach.

Caravanners should also be particularly vigilant when smoking, cooking or using the heating in their mobile homes.

UK breaks are proving popular

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While the number of Brits heading abroad seems to be falling, taking holidays in the UK is proving to be growing ever more popular.

According to Channel Islands Direct head of short-haul Beverley Scarr, the firm has enjoyed a steady rise in bookings.

The business has achieved a 46 per cent year-on-year increase in sales to the UK market and Ms Scarr added that she expects this year to be just as popular.

“The demand is still there and there are some fantastic added value offers also, which represent fantastic savings and value for money, especially for the family markets,” she said.

Meanwhile, Holiday Lettings has also reported a rise in demand of 44 per cent in 2010, helping the business build on 2009’s success, which saw it record an increase of 88 per cent year-on-year.

However, trips abroad appear to be growing less popular, with the Office for National Statistics revealing a 15 per cent year-on-year drop in foreign travel.