caravantowingmirrors.co.uk

The latest innovations in caravan, camping and four-wheel driving roll into Sydney today as part of the ‘NSW Caravan Camping 4WD and Holiday Supershow’ held at Rosehill Racecourse. Minister for Tourism Jodi McKay said the 2009 Supershow is the biggest event of its type in Australia with more than 500 state-of-the-art caravans, campervans and motorhomes on display as well as exhibits and entertainment over the course of nine days.

“The NSW Caravan Camping 4WD and Holiday Supershow is an important event for NSW with more than 75,000 people expected to attend the event this year,” Ms McKay said. “We know people are adjusting their travel plans and looking closer to home for holidays during the global spending slowdown. “Caravan and camping holidays are an attractive holiday option for NSW residents looking for an inexpensive way to enjoy the many attractions and regional areas of NSW.

“It’s no wonder caravan and camping is amongst the fastest growing sectors in tourism, with annual growth rates of more than 10 per cent over the past 12 years.” Ms McKay said in the December 2008 quarter alone, accommodation at Australian caravan parks generated more than $273.2 million. “NSW’s 900 caravan parks had the highest accommodation takings among the States with $99.9 million – almost 37 per cent,” Ms McKay said. Ms McKay congratulated the organisers of the Supershow, the Caravan and Camping Industry Association of NSW.

“The Supershow is a fantastic event that has been growing year on year.” Ms McKay said the NSW Government through the Department of Lands is offering a chance for Supershow attendees to win a holiday at one of nine state parks around NSW. “Visitors to the Department of Lands stall at the Supershow who subscribe to the holiday and camping enewsletter stand a chance of winning a great family break in NSW.” Ms McKay said the website, www.caravanandcampingnsw.com.au, helps holiday makers plan a trip to any of the 260 caravan and camping sites on Crown land across NSW.

CARAVAN and camping sites across the country are facing a busy summer as holiday-makers swap foreign vacations for trips closer to home.

Park owners are experiencing a boost in the number of bookings they are taking for the summer season.

Many are attributing the rise to an increasing number of people opting to holiday at home to save money.

Caravan parks also reported full houses over the Easter holiday, with visitors coming from across the country for a long break.

Continue reading...

Business is booming at caravan parks in Leicestershire as holidaymakers swap foreign shores for the great outdoors.

Park owners say they are fully booked over the Easter school holidays and have seen a boom in trade since the credit crunch began as people favour cheaper breaks.

At East Midlands Airport, 9,000 fewer passengers flew off on holiday, compared with the same time last year.

Lesley Kind, who runs Whetstone Gorse Fisheries and Caravan Site, in Whetstone, with husband, Martin, says they have been booked up for the Easter holidays for more than seven weeks.

The site has room for 26 vans, a converted barn with a bar and stage and a licence to hold up to 400 caravans at special events.

Continue reading...

WALES’ caravan parks could benefit from a massive 60% surge in demand over the Easter holidays as tourists opt for domestic breaks to avoid the strong euro.

With a less than favourable weather forecast over the next few days, tourism leaders here are divided over the prospects for the Easter break, but all are agreed the biggest winner will be the caravanning sector.

With the pound continuing to struggle against the euro – yesterday one euro cost 90p compared to December 2004 when it was worth just 69p – holidaymakers are looking to cut back on the costs of travel.

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has said the economic crisis means that the 3% to 4% growth the foreign holidays market traditionally achieves in favourable economic circumstances is unlikely to materialise this year.

Continue reading...