21 Sunday Oct 2018
Posted in Exhibitions and Shows
Tags
#motorhomes, @motorhmenews, camc, caravan and motorhome club, Christopher Macgowan, motorhome, motorhomenews, NCC, NEC
Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews
23 Tuesday Jan 2018
Posted in General
Tags
#holidays, #motorhomes, ABTA, caravan and motorhome club, Christopher Macgowan, motorhome, motorhomenews, NCC, NEC, UK
Research by travel trade association ABTA* has revealed the UK is set to be British holidaymakers’ destination of choice in 2018, as 66% of the British population are already planning time away closer to home. Europe follows a close second with 63% planning to visit and 14% look to travel to North America.
2017 was a popular year for UK breaks, with British adults taking an average of 2.1 UK holidays: up on the previous year. Families with children aged five and over enjoyed 2.7 UK breaks and adults aged 35 to 44 ventured on 2.5 domestic vacations.
Research indicates that British spending on holidays will also increase, as a significant 31% are putting aside more money for their vacations in 2018. 47% are hoping to spend the same and just 14% plan to spend less.
Fresh figures from The Camping and Caravanning Club^ suggest the trend is already underway, reporting a 10% increase in bookings across its 106 club campsites for the 2018 season year-to-date versus 2017. The Caravan and Motorhome Club also supports the forecast+, announcing that 2017 was the best-ever year for tent camping, with a 13% increase compared to 2016 and its best-ever figures currently for winter camping. Leisure vehicle holidays were also up in 2017 with the club reporting an 11% growth in pitch nights over 2016 and a record November for touring caravan, motorhome and campervan stays.
Commenting on the rise of UK holidaying, Jenny Summers, Group Marketing Director of the NCC (National Caravan Council), the UK’s trade body for the tourer, motorhome and caravan holiday home industries said: “Sales of both motorhomes and caravans were up in 2017, with motorhome registrations rising by 14.9% and tourer factory dispatches to dealers increasing by 8.7%. This clearly demonstrates the continuing popularity of using a leisure vehicle to explore the UK and beyond.”
The growth of the British tourism industry augurs well for the NCC’s next event in February, the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show 2018. A record-breaking 101,583 visitors attended its sister-show in October last year.
Taking place at Birmingham’s NEC between 20 and 25 February, the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show 2018 brings together over 370 exhibitors and is the UK’s largest showcase of caravans, campervans, motorhomes, caravan holiday homes and lodges as well as new season tents, trailer tents and folding caravans.
The family-friendly event features a variety of holiday destinations and trip options. Show sponsor Freedom to Go is on hand to help visitors plan their next adventure and the leisure vehicle industry’s two largest clubs, The Camping and Caravanning Club and Caravan and Motorhome Club also provide advice and inspiration for all.
Tickets for the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show 2018 are now available at www.ccmshow.co.uk and by phone on 0844 873 7333. Advance prices start from £7.00**, with children 15 and under entering free.
Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews
03 Sunday Sep 2017
Posted in Exhibitions and Shows
Tags
#motorhomes, Christopher Macgowan, motorhome, motorhomenews, National Caravan Council, NCC, NEC, outandaboutlive
Win tickets to the UK’s largest leisure vehicle event.
From 17 to 22 October, the Motorhome and Caravan Show 2017 at Birmingham’s NEC showcases all the new-for-2018 products from the motorhome and caravan industry. We have five pairs of tickets to give away for the biggest launch event of its kind featuring more than 700 motorhomes and caravans from major manufacturers including Adria, Auto-Sleepers, Bailey and Hymer. The show will also host a number of celebrity chefs such as Antonio Carluccio and Rustie Lee who will be giving cooking demonstrations from newly-launched leisure vehicles in the LIVE Theatre.
Launches at the show include the return of the iconic Airstream. Be inspired and explore the latest models from all major motorhome manufacturers and dealers under one roof and discover the perfect home-from-home for you.
For your chance to win tickets to the show (children 15 and under enter free), simply answer the following question:
Which iconic American brand relaunches back into the UK at this year’s show?
A – Airways
B – Airstream
C – Airmobile
Motorhomenews has five pairs of tickets to give away to the first five correct answers I receive. Please send me an email with your answer to the question and enclose your email address as well. Contact me on motorhomenews@gmx.com Winners will be informed by me and will collect their tickets from the NEC on the day you travel to the show. See terms and conditions below.
(For more information or show tickets visit http://www.mcshow.co.uk or telephone 0844 873 7333)
Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews
Competition Terms and Conditions
Tickets to be collected at the press office at the NEC, the press office is located outside Hall 18, suites 18.1 and 18.2. It is accessible from the NEC main atrium and from within the hall during the following hours.
Tuesday 17:08:00 – 18:00
Wednesday 18:09:00 – 18:00
Thursday 19:09:00 – 18:00
Friday 20:09:00 – 18:00
Saturday 21:09:30 – 18:00
Sunday 22:09:30 – 13:00
Advance ticket prices £8.50 Senior (over 60s), £9.50 Adult when booking before 23:59hrs 16/10/17 after which time prices revert to the on-the-door price of £12.00 Senior and £13.00 Adult. A £1.25 transaction fee applies. Car parking is included in the ticket price. No dogs (except assistance dogs). Children 15 years and under go free when accompanied by a paying Adult/Senior. Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for a monetary value. For full terms and conditions please visit http://www.mcshow.co.uk
PUBLICATION TO ENTER ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR COMPETITION ENTRY. ALL TICKETS ENTRIES ARE TO BE MANAGED BY THE PUBLICATION OR WEBSITE (UNLESS FACILITY NOT AVAILABLE)
27 Thursday Apr 2017
Posted in Marketing
The UK motorhome market continues to boom. The total number of new registrations in March 2017 was up by nearly a quarter on 2016, according to figures just released by the NCC.
The statistics show that registrations of new motorhomes in March 2017 reached 2,877, a 22.3% increase over last year, taking them to their highest ever level for the first quarter at 3,670. March, with its number plate change, is a popular month for consumers to buy, ahead of the spring and summer season.
Source: National Caravan Council NCC
Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews
28 Tuesday Feb 2017
Posted in Exhibitions and Shows
Tags
Caravan Camping and Motorhome Show 2017, Caravan Times, Christopher Macgowan, John Lally, motorhome, motorhomenews, NCC, Tom Leaning
SOURCE: CARAVAN TIMES
Written by Tom Leaning.
Consistent national media coverage reflected the interest caravans, camping and motorhomes have around the country.
The Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show 2017 finished on 26 February with over 94,000 visitors through its doors: 7,023 more than 2016. The weekend peaked with 25,349 visiting the show on Saturday and over 45,000 visitors attending across the two days of the weekend.
The show’s media coverage reflected the nation’s interest in caravans, camping and motorhomes, with Radio 2’s Chris Evans championing the event during last week’s breakfast show, and ITV’s This Morning presenting a range of products on London’s South Bank during its live broadcast.
Despite midweek gales disrupting roads and public transport in the Midlands, exhibitors still reported strong sales figures from the event. Director of Sales and Marketing for Auto-Trail, Scott Stephens reported that “show sales have highlighted how many customers are entering into motorhoming which is a great sign for the industry on the whole.” The announcement of a re-brand by The Caravan Club to The Caravan and Motorhome Club – which was broadcast through a Facebook Live RSS Stream by CaravanTimes – also reflected the growth in motorhome ownership.
The caravan industry also confirmed a positive result. Unveiling a one-off Joules-designed touring caravan, Lunar’s UK Sales Director, Lee Roberts said that he saw “good footfall throughout the show, complemented by a great buying audience, making this February’s show the best yet.” The Coachman Caravan company reported an increase of 22 per cent in retail sales compared to the previous year. Elliot Hibbs, Managing Director said “2017 has been positive for the industry as a whole and we have enjoyed an increase in demand for our product range.”
Swift showed its S-Pod 4 holiday lodge for the first time and reported strong interest. Nick Page, Group Commercial Director commented that “this has been our most successful February show for years with retail sales increasing by 26 per cent on touring caravans and 34 per cent on motorhomes.”
Launches included the Sonic Supreme 810SC by Adria. Managing Director, Slavica Sterk said: “The show has strengthened Adria’s position in the market,” suggesting that while products are not traditionally launched at the February show, overall public response surpassed expectations.
Omar Park and Leisure Homes unveiled the Wessex Hideaway lodge and were very pleased at the general interest across its lodges. Peter Berwick, the Group Sales and Design Director said that the show is “an opportunity to showcase top end models across the Wessex and Omar brands and gives us the chance to get valuable feedback from customers.”
Camping equipment brand Vango created a great buzz in Hall 5 thanks to the AirBeam Challenge, letting members of the public race against the clock to inflate a full sized tent. Vango saw record sales again at the show, with the Kela II DriveAway Awning and Inspire 800XXL eight-berth tent leading the way. Ivan Davies, Account Manager said that “the show really launches our year.”
“The February show’s attendance endorses the optimistic outlook for our industry, which continues to grow,” said John Lally, CEO – NCC Events Ltd. “We are also pleased to see that the demographic of those attending the show continues to diversify, with engagement from those new to the industry.”
A whole host of celebrities took to the Discovery Theatre stage throughout the show. Appearances included Ben Fogle, Barney Harwood, Kate Humble, Julia Bradbury and Sam Quek. Live cookery demonstrations from Monica Rivron, Selasi Gbormittah, Welsh chefs Mike Bates and Colin Gray also graced the stage.
Displays included the Lego® caravan, which featured in a Facebook Live RSS stream organised by Guinness World Records, and the highly popular Dog Agility arena. Additional attractions for visiting families included trampolines in the Bounce Zone, bushcraft workshops, climbing wall, artificial caving and a virtual reality of Europe’s longest zip wire in the North Wales LIVE area, and a Woodland Assault Course in partnership with The Woodland Trust.
The Motorhome and Caravan Show is at the NEC from 17 to 22 October 2017 and The Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show returns 20 to 25 February 2018.
Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews
03 Friday Feb 2017
Posted in Marketing
The UK motorhome market is thriving, resulting in an exceptionally high level of registrations in 2016, according to figures released by the NCC (National Caravan Council).
The latest figures¹ show that 12,332 motorhomes were registered last year, compared to 10,572 in 2015. This represents a 16.6% year on year increase.
The NCC attributes this upward trend to the extensive choice and variety of motorhome and campervan models now available. The versatility of the products and the lifestyle they offer appeals to a widening range of customers.
Commenting on the figures, John Lally, the NCC’s Director General, said: “This high number of registrations clearly demonstrates the continuing strong demand for motorhome products.
“Short breaks and holidays at short notice are growing in popularity with UK holiday-makers. Motorhomes are ideal for this kind of break, as they give consumers the freedom to decide where and when they want to travel. The wide range of motorhomes now available makes them an increasingly attractive proposition for consumers of all ages.”
Frank Finch, the NCC’s Membership Services Director, said: “NCC Approved dealer members are reporting that an increasing number of customers are buying motorhomes for year-round travel, both in the UK and Europe. Recent improvements in thermal insulation and better, more flexible heating facilities in motorhomes, coupled with longer park opening periods, make this possible.
“As well as having access to some of the highest quality products on the market, consumers also have peace of mind that when they go to one of our NCC Approved Dealership members, they will be dealing with a business that has committed to treating them fairly – whether they are buying a motorhome, touring caravan or caravan holiday home.”
Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews
11 Saturday Jun 2016
Posted in Marketing, Motorhomes
New figures from the NCC show that the UK motorhome market continues to go from strength-to-strength. Interestingly, according to NCC members, increasing numbers of buyers are new to the sector.
Registrations of new motorhomes increased by 20.4% in the month of March 2016 compared with March 2015. A total of 2,352 units were sold in what is a peak month for the sector. New motorhome registrations for Q1 2016 as a whole, compared with Q1 2015, are also up nearly 20%1, to a total of 3,042 units with an estimated retail value of more than £150 million2.
All this is on top of a 21% increase in new motorhome registrations during 2015, making the UK one of the fastest growing markets in Europe3. Membership of the NCC’s dealer section is increasing too, rising nearly 25% in the last 12 months alone. Many of these companies are reporting near record new motorhome sales levels in 2016, including Newark based Brownhills, which enjoyed a 26% increase in Q1 this year.
NCC director general John Lally said: “We believe that strong demand for motorhomes will continue for the foreseeable future and we could see record levels of new motorhomes registered in the UK soon. As manufacturers increase production capacity and build even more attractive and innovative products that can be used year round, consumers, from young families to retired couples, will keep being drawn to the motorhome proposition. The Freedom to Go campaign is also working to draw more entrants to the market.
“Staycations are due to have another good year too boosted by the preference to take shorter breaks. In fact short holiday trips of 1-3 nights account for two-thirds of English holidays, are on the rise4 and are exactly the type of break a motorhome really enables. Whether it’s a last minute weekend away, supporting an outdoor activity like mountain biking, or indeed the longer annual summer holiday, motorhomes make it all possible.”
Frank Finch, NCC membership services director said: “It’s encouraging that dealerships are our fastest growing membership section, as this is where many consumers first interact with the industry. It’s our advice that for peace of mind, consumers should always seek out one of our members when looking to buy a motorhome, or indeed any other leisure vehicle.”
Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews
29 Friday Apr 2016
Posted in General, Motorhomes
More than 200 delegates attended the NCC (National Caravan Council) Conference 2016 last week to hear a stellar line-up of expert speakers including: Nick King – Insight Director, Autotrader; Carl Castledine – CEO, Away Resorts; Harvey Alexander – Director of Marketing, The Caravan Club; and Alex Marshall of Management Consultants CIL. Kevin Keegan OBE was an extremely popular after dinner speaker, helping to raise £2,440 for the NCC Benevolent Fund charity.
John Lally, NCC Director General, said: “From start to finish our speaker line-up was excellent this year, delivering fresh insights and new perspectives while stimulating plenty of debate in the process. Topics included adjusting caravan products for Millennials and developing new ways of promotion (mobile-friendly, via specially designed apps, using social media etc). Speakers looking at the bigger picture examined how technology is changing the world, the state of the UK and worldwide economy and how positive thinking can influence your business in a positive manner.
“Getting together as an industry is really important. Following a successful 12 months for many, it remains vital our industry continues to innovate and attract new entrants to the market, to improve its customer service and product quality and embrace self-regulation. If we do that, our speakers were agreed that success will continue in 2016 and beyond.”
A selection of quotes from the event are shown below:
Carl Castledine – on innovation
‘As baby boomer spend slows, our industry must be ready for Millennials … who will become the primary engine of the UK consumer economy.’
Harvey Alexander – on new entrants to the world of leisure vehicles
‘A recent study showed 11 million UK adults are our potential audience – those who love outdoors but don’t own a leisure vehicle, and can potentially share our passion …’
Alex Marshall – on the mergers and acquisitions outlook (holiday parks)
‘We will see strong valuations, further consolidation and further investment in the product …’
Nick King – on successfully selling vehicles
‘Forecourt visits are down 41pc in the automotive industry in three years. But we are still selling successfully. A buyer will now visit more websites than forecourts.’
Psychologist Dr Maureen Gaffney – on positive thinking
‘In this world the optimists have it not because they are always right but because they are always positive.’
Market commentator, Justin Urquhart Stewart – on the UK economy:
‘The UK is the world’s fifth largest economy. It’s got pulling power – the Number 1 in Europe for inward investment, with 85k new jobs created …’
Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews
23 Saturday Apr 2016
Posted in General
I attended the NCC 2016 conference in Liverpool this week.
It was an excellent event, very well run with excellent speakers and good to see a very positive atmosphere on display. Also, in my purely personal opinion, really good to see that one of the primary themes was how we can do better, and what we need to do to be better – so no complacency but rightly looking at other industries to see what if anything we can learn from them.
Congratulations to the organisers!
Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews
16 Saturday Jan 2016
Posted in Exhibitions and Shows, Uncategorized
The Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show heralds the new year in the leisure vehicle and travel industry taking place from 23-28 February 2016 at the Birmingham NEC. The show displays the latest products and launches from leading brands such as Swift, Lunar, Bailey, Vango, Elddis, Trigano and Coachman, to name but a few.
The Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show is organised by NCC Events (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the industry trade body NCC) and supported by The Caravan Club and The Camping and Caravanning Club, making it the ideal platform for expert advice and industry presence.
More than 350 exhibitors are participating in the celebrity-studded event, with Hyundai as the show’s official tow-car partner. The public will be treated to exclusive deals, complimentary caravan-towing and motorhome-manoeuvring lessons as well as attractions such as a themed activity area inspired by the Woodland Trust, and sessions with industry experts at the Discovery Theatre.
The leisure vehicle industry continues to play an important role in the UK, with England as the largest tourer-manufacturing base in Europe (98% of all new tourers sold in the UK are manufactured by NCC Members). The UK reported the highest growth in European motorhome registrations in 2014 (+17.6%) and the UK caravan industry is worth more than £6bn a year.
To find out more come to the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show from the 23 until the 28 of February 2016 at the Birmingham NEC with caravan and motorhome models from leading UK and European manufacturers displayed under one roof. The show is supported by The Caravan Club and The Camping and Caravanning Club.
Visit: http://www.caravancampingmotorhomeshow.co.uk
Call: 0844 873 7333
Follow the show on Twitter
Like us on Facebook
Buy tickets here: http://caravancampingshow.seetickets.com/tour/the-caravan-camping-motorhome-show
Other useful links:
http://www.thencc.org.uk
http://www.thecaravanclub.co.uk
http://www.thecampingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
Christopher Macgowan
@motorhomenews
