Caravanners out in force as recession looms

With recession looming and the UK housing market in turmoil, more Britons are choosing a cheaper caravanning holiday to cut back on spending.

An abundance of festivals over the summer months is thought to have prompted the surge in additional camping equipment sales. Caravan park owners admit that bookings tend to rise during harder economic times.

Jim McCulloch, manager of the Argyll Caravan Park on the Duke of Argyll's estate near Inverary, told Calum Macdonald and Brian Donnelly at theherald.co.uk: "The increase in interest lately has been marked; we've been inundated with calls."

He added: "We are doing awfully well in the home market. People out there still have money, but it's getting deeper into their pockets."

While business for Mr McCulloch has increased by nearly eight per cent already this year, some of the more remote sites have suffered, with holidaymakers avoiding using too much fuel.

According to The Camping and Caravan Club, caravanning now appeals to younger families, as well as more elderly holidaymakers, while the Ford Mondeo Estate was recently named the best tow vehicle.

22/07/2008 17:59:52