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MOTORHOMENEWS

~ A personal take by Christopher Macgowan on tourism, travel and motorhomes.

MOTORHOMENEWS

Monthly Archives: January 2015

2015 expected to be the Year of the Motorhome

30 Friday Jan 2015

Posted by chrismacgowan in General, Sites

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caravan, Christopher Macgowan, motorhome, motorhomenews, Nick Lomas, The Caravan Club

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2015 is expected to be theYear of the Motorhome as January gets off to a strong start with bold tourers getting out and about, whatever the weather.

The Caravan Club is excited to see the first month of the new year has seen an increase of over 7% in occupancy across its UK sites network. With over 200 sites, from the very top of Scotland to the tip of Cornwall, it seems the weather has not deterred caravanners and motorohomers from heading out across the UK.

Meanwhile, forward bookings for the rest of the year also suggest that 2015 is set to be a busy year. Each December The Club releases its pitches for booking for the forthcoming year and since that date (3 December 2014) over 800,000 nights have already been booked.

The Club believes that tourers are more relaxed than other types of holiday makers, after a recent member survey asked them about how they feel. The results showed that they were more likely to give a rating of 1 or less out of 10 for feeling anxious, which is 8% lower than the national average. Showing that, as a group of people, caravanners and motorhomers are less anxious and less deterred by inclement weather.

Nick Lomas, Director General of The Caravan Club says, “We know that tourers are made of tough stuff and we often liken tourers to intrepid explorers. They like an adventure and are not put-off by the colder weather. With modern caravans and motorhomes, touring can be a year-round pastime and it is really wonderful to see that members fall below the national average when it comes to anxiousness.”

Visit The Caravan Club website.

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews

Kirkstone Pass, Cumbria

22 Thursday Jan 2015

Posted by chrismacgowan in Places

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Christopher Macgowan, Cumbria, kirkstone pass, lake district, motorhome, motorhomenews

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Enjoying fine weather on the Kirkstone Pass in the Lake District.

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews

Cumbria=Snow!

20 Tuesday Jan 2015

Posted by chrismacgowan in Places, Travel

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Christopher Macgowan, Cumbria, motorhome, motorhomenews, motorhomes

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Bit of snow to contend with here near Penrith.

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews

Monday January 19th – the most depressing day of the year.

19 Monday Jan 2015

Posted by chrismacgowan in Places, This and That

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Christopher Macgowan, motorhome, motorhomenews, Seefeld

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Today is supposed to be the most depressing day of the year so, to cheer myself up and hopefully you as well, I am enjoying looking at one of the most delightful settings I have ever stayed in. In Austria on my way to Seefeld.

I am feeling better already.

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews

Bracing Harwich aka Extremely Inclement

12 Monday Jan 2015

Posted by chrismacgowan in Places

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Christopher Macgowan, Felixstowe, Harwich, motorhome, motorhomenews, Samuel Pepys

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The motorhome and I decamped to Harwich today to get a bit of healthy east coast North Sea wind in our sails. I am sure it was terribly good for me but it nearly killed me. A walk up the pier and back and I soon retreated to the warmth of the motorhome! I like Harwich as there is always something going on either in Harwich itself or over the water in Felixstowe which last week hosted the world’s biggest container ship.
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Samuel Pepys and I are as one on this.

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews

Caravans & Charabancs – Leisure Motoring After the First World War

09 Friday Jan 2015

Posted by chrismacgowan in Exhibitions and Shows

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Beaulieu, caravans, charabancs, Christopher Macgowan, motorhome, motorhomenews, National Motor Museum, The Caravan Club

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The National Motor Museum Trust and its project partner The Caravan Club, are commemorating the centenary of the First World War in an innovative project Caravans and Charabancs – Leisure Motoring After the First World War. This two year project is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Caravans and Charabancs will explore the untold legacy of this devastating conflict, charting how accelerated social and technological developments in wartime led to a revolution in leisure motoring in the decades that followed.

A forthcoming programme of community events, exhibitions and social media campaigns will enable the public to engage with previously unseen aspects of the National Motor Museum’s Designated Photographic Collection and that of The Caravan Club.

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews

Freedom to Go

07 Wednesday Jan 2015

Posted by chrismacgowan in Marketing, Motorhomes

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Christopher Macgowan, Lomas, Louden, motorhome, motorhomenews, NCC, The Camping and Caravanning Club, The Caravan Club, Trevelyan

/home/wpcom/public_html/wp-content/blogs.dir/586/21810281/files/2015/01/img_0104.jpgCaravan and motorhome industry to launch perception changing campaign in the UK

The NCC (National Caravan Council) has partnered with The Caravan Club and The Camping and Caravanning Club, the UK’s two largest clubs for all forms of camping and caravanning, to launch a joint awareness building campaign to promote the lifestyle benefits of caravan and motorhome holidays.

Designed to attract new audiences to this much-loved style of holiday, ‘Freedom to go’ will draw on the appeal of the great outdoors and the freedom to explore that owning a ‘leisure vehicle’ presents.

Launching in January 2015, the campaign will include a dedicated website http://www.freedomtogo.co.uk national print and digital advertising and will be supported by a 12 month plan of press activity. “A key objective of the campaign is to decrease the average age of leisure vehicle ownership by five years and get new entrants into the market” said Jennifer Summers, NCC Group Marketing Director. “In order to do that, we aim to turn the perception of camping and caravanning on its head and illustrate the appeal of this type of holiday to modern families and adventurous travellers alike. There hasn’t been a better time to convert more British consumers to this type of holiday and grow the market for all types of leisure vehicle ownership.”

The campaign will showcase beautiful British destinations and unique adventures that touring holidays make possible whilst recommending which type of leisure vehicle will suit individual needs and tastes.

Anthony Trevelyan, Chairman of the Industry Promotional Campaign Working Group said: “I am delighted that the industry is coming together to launch this important initiative. We as an industry have a wonderful offering, it is all about the lifestyle, freedom and exploration. These are the benefits we must communicate effectively through this national campaign.”

Robert Louden, MBE, Director General of The Camping and Caravanning Club said: “The Camping and Caravanning Club is proud to support this new campaign, and we are excited by the opportunities it presents. Camping and caravanning is the perfect way to explore exciting new destinations and we want to help more people enjoy this fabulous pastime and share the same enthusiasm we feel for it.”

Nick Lomas, Director General of The Caravan Club said: “This is an important step the industry is taking. The Caravan Club is delighted to help champion this initiative. Together we have a real opportunity to demonstrate how this fantastic leisure pursuit gives people the freedom to enjoy the great outdoors, visit places large and small throughout the UK and Europe and enjoy more holidays, whether active or relaxing, more often.”

Three leading agencies have been appointed to deliver the campaign. Burn Marketing (Voted UK’s No 1 DM/CRM Agency 2014) and Capella PR (Small Consultancy of the Year 2014) are both London based with digital and web consultants Etch UK (Wirehive 100 top 25 digital agency ) residing in Southampton.

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews

NEC show Feb 17 to 22 getting close.

05 Monday Jan 2015

Posted by chrismacgowan in Exhibitions and Shows, Motorhomes

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Christopher Macgowan, motorhome, motorhomenews, NEC

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Don’t miss the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show 2015 at the NEC (post code B40 1NT). Between 17-22 February, it’s one of the best chances to catch every industry name in one place, ready to answer any question you’ve got about anything to do with tourers and more.

This year’s exhibitor’s list is once again rammed full of the best manufacturers, dealers, accessory gurus and more, plus there will be some top name celebrities throughout the event to entertain and inform you on all things outdoors.

Of course, with five full halls to get around in one of the country’s biggest and best exhibition centres, you could easily miss so much that’s on offer. Be sure to plan your visit in advance with the floor guide to get the most out of this year’s February NEC show.

This year’s Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show will be open from Tuesday 17th February – Sunday 22nd February 2015, with things kicking off daily from 10am to 6pm. See the show website and official guides for specific times of attractions and appearances, and keep your ears open for Tannoy announcements throughout the week.

How much does it cost?

Advance* On the Door Saving
Adult £8.00 £10.00 £2.00
Seniors (60+ years) £7.00 £9.00 £2.00
Children (15 years and under) FREE FREE –
Carers accompanying a registered disabled visitor go FREE.

See below to buy tickets for the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show 2015 or call the box office on 0844 581 1250.

*Advance tickets prices £7 Senior (60+ years), Adult £8.00 when booking before 23.59hrs on 16/02/15. Children 15 years and under go free when accompanied by a paying adult/senior. Show guide is free (subject to availability).

http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews

What motorhomes are for…..

04 Sunday Jan 2015

Posted by chrismacgowan in Sites, Travel

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Christopher Macgowan, CL, motorhome, motorhomenews

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On this cold, wet January day I am looking back at some of my favourite 2014 locations. This CL in Suffolk on a lovely summer’s day takes some beating.

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews

This sign could catch on.

02 Friday Jan 2015

Posted by chrismacgowan in Sites, This and That

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Christopher Macgowan, motorhomenews, motorhomes, sign, sites

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There are always plenty of helpful signs telling me what’s what when I am visiting sites in the UK and the rest of Europe – but I do think this one has a certain appeal.

Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews

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