Monthly Archives: November 2011

EUROPEAN LEISURE VEHICLE SALES SHOW SLIGHT RISE.

26 Saturday Nov 2011

Posted by in Marketing

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

20111126-135612.jpg

155,000 new units sold during the 2010-2011 season

The European leisure vehicle industry ended the 2010-2011 season with a slight sales growth amounting to 1.1 percent (154,800 units sold). Motor caravan sales registered a robust 6.7 percent increase for the period, while the caravan segment registered a 3.5 percent sales decrease. Thus, the European caravan market, which currently accounts for 52.5 percent of all new leisure vehicles sold, registered a rather moderate development.

The extremely strong showing of the new motor caravan segment during the period was mainly attributable to 34.2, 29.7 and 24.9 percent sales growth in Switzerland, Norway and Sweden respectively. In Portugal, however, new motor caravan sales were off 35.1 percent relative to the prior year.

New caravan sales were down by 24.8, 21.0, and 19.9 percent in Spain, Portugal and Denmark respectively, while Switzerland and Germany registered sales growth of 10.5 and 8.2 percent respectively in this segment.

“We’re confident that our projection of 150,000 new leisure vehicle sales for this year will be considerably exceeded,” said Hans-Karl Sternberg, General Secretary of the ECF.

SOURCE: http://www.e-c-f.org

Christopher Macgowan
twitter: motorhomenews

CHATSWORTH

17 Thursday Nov 2011

Posted by in Sites

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

20111117-175122.jpg

I am at the Caravan Club’s Chatsworth Park site in Derbyshire. Quite apart from being one of my many favourites, it is hugely popular with members as well. It is open all year, has 120 pitches all of which are hard standing but of course it is its setting that wins hearts and minds. It is in an old walled garden on the Chatsworth Estate surrounded by beautiful countryside and, of course, Chatsworth itself which is stunning. A “private” door with your own key lets you into the estate direct from the site!

I was late arriving so, by way of a change, I walked back down the entrance road to the site into Baslow and had an excellent evening at Rowley’s Restaurant and Bar.

It really does not get much better than that!!

Christopher Macgowan
twitter: motorhomenews

OCEAN CANCELS BOAT AND CARAVAN SHOW 2012 AT NEC.

02 Wednesday Nov 2011

Posted by in Exhibitions and Shows

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,

Source: Exhibition News

Ocean has cancelled its Boat and Caravan Show at The NEC in Birmingham, citing a lack of support from caravan manufacturers and their dealer community. The exhibition has been running for more than 50 years and was due to return from 21 to 26 February 2012. Ocean has also cancelled the Outdoor Leisure Show, which debuted in 2011 alongside the Boat and Caravan Show.

Ocean’s dramatic step follows the National Caravan Council’s (NCC) decision to begin organising its own events again and launch a new and competitive Motorhome, Caravan and Camping Show at Excel London from 14 to 19 February 2012.

NCC’s Events division ran its first Motorhome and Caravan Show at The NEC last month after assuming control from Clarion Events. The association made the decision to re-enter the exhibition organising market after several of its key members opted to stop supporting third-party events. The NCC’s first Motorhome and Caravan Show reported a record 22,000 visitor increase year-on-year.

In a statement, Ocean CEO Trevor Barratt expressed his disappointment in having to cancel the company’s longstanding exhibition. Last year’s Boat and Caravan Show attracted 87,000 visitors. Although Ocean initially endeavoured to continue with its own show against NCC’s London launch, the lack of support from caravan manufacturers and their dealers now made this unviable.

After having consulted the market and caravan dealers, Ocean said it was convinced that a national show was needed to support the leisure sector. Itpointed out the concept was fully endorsed by the Camping and Caravanning Club and leading exhibitors from all parts of the leisure sector including a number of caravan dealers.

Despite their enthusiasm, these dealers latterly felt unable to participate in the show, which undermined one of the main pillars of the show and renders it no longer viable, Ocean stated. This is despite widespread support from other exhibitor groups including the marine, holiday homes and lodges, tourism, accessories and outdoor leisure markets, Barratt said.

“Loyal exhibitors, including a number of caravan dealers and the show’s many visitors, will feel sorry that due to a lack of support from one element of the industry, the 2012 show has been cancelled after more than 50 years,” Barratt said.

Christopher Macgowan
twitter: motorhomenews