Booking difficulty for pre covid members

Redzed32 replied on 30/08/2020 10:25

Posted on 30/08/2020 10:25

With the onslaught of the covid virus and the massive restrictions on foreign travel , it appears not only that the existing membership are filling up club sites , but I suspect also a large influx of new members are too . This is great for the campsites , as they have all faced a very difficult season this year . However , I am experiencing that finding pitches now is very difficult , and a great deal of the sites that could be booked a month in advance previously are full to the end of the season . This obviously makes me question whether membership is actually worth it now , as so far this summer after about  6 weekend breaks , I have realised that none of these were possible through the club . 

This is obviously very disheartening , but there is a much bigger concern at play here , and that is next years bookings . No one has a crystal ball regarding the impact of covid , and we cannot predict what will happen next month , far less what will happen next year . We have the possibility of much of next years sites being booked up by people who would normally holiday abroad , and taking advantage of the booking system . If this occurs , and next year we have little or no travel restrictions , we will end up with a situation again where pre covid members cannot get pitches , and the sites will have a whole load of pre-booked vacant pitches . 

Can I ask ; are other members here experiencing this as well ? And Also ; Does the club itself have concerns about the possibility of the above situation occurring , and how to address this ? 

peedee replied on 05/09/2020 11:29

Posted on 05/09/2020 11:29

Some will no doubt say that club sites are the last place they'd take young children, but plenty seem to do so anyway.

Almost certainly for the attractions off site rather than on.

peedee

SeasideBill replied on 05/09/2020 11:33

Posted on 05/09/2020 10:49 by brue

I think the problem for both clubs is the closure of sites for the remainder of this year, CAMC closed 18 sites, C&CC closed 26, C&CC also closed facilities on some sites. This left much less of a choice especially for some who want facilities so the pressure for bookings has been on both clubs since sites re-opened. I believe the C&CC opened a few more facilty blocks but it seems a combination of most wanting uk holidays, a shortage of staff to man sites and other private sites not opening has made bookings a challenge for some this year.

Posted on 05/09/2020 11:33

Absolutely, but all those closures look a bit OTT now when you see what’s going on around you.

JVB66 replied on 05/09/2020 11:36

Posted on 05/09/2020 11:29 by peedee

Some will no doubt say that club sites are the last place they'd take young children, but plenty seem to do so anyway.

Almost certainly for the attractions off site rather than on.

peedee

Posted on 05/09/2020 11:36

Thats what holiday commercial all singing sites are priced so high for ,so parents can let their kids loose without their having to be responsible undecided

unfortunately it happens on clubs sites  but at much cheaper pricessurprised 

replied on 05/09/2020 11:39

Posted on 05/09/2020 11:04 by moulesy

But the conversation invariably goes along these lines and it is undoubtedly true that, for some folk, club sites work out more expensive at some times of the year. 

The point is that, for families, in peak season, the club, though maybe seeming expensive to those of our age, is often a more economical option as show in my example earlier comparing Heligan with Merrose Farm.

Some will no doubt say that club sites are the last place they'd take young children, but plenty seem to do so anyway.

Posted on 05/09/2020 11:39

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

Cornersteady replied on 05/09/2020 11:40

Posted on 05/09/2020 11:29 by peedee

Some will no doubt say that club sites are the last place they'd take young children, but plenty seem to do so anyway.

Almost certainly for the attractions off site rather than on.

peedee

Posted on 05/09/2020 11:40

So what onsite attractions are there on non club sites that you would want to see on club sites?

But yes I've said many times most families go off for the day, that is the norm on club sites.

The only exceptions are sites like Seacroft.

moulesy replied on 05/09/2020 12:37

Posted on 05/09/2020 11:29 by peedee

Some will no doubt say that club sites are the last place they'd take young children, but plenty seem to do so anyway.

Almost certainly for the attractions off site rather than on.

peedee

Posted on 05/09/2020 12:37

Possibly, but the point is that many familes choose to use them and maybe, just maybe, that's because in peak season they give families a fair deal! smile

peedee replied on 05/09/2020 13:37

Posted on 05/09/2020 13:37

Possibly M. I have taken grandchildren to a seaside site for a week but never taken my own children to a Club site for a holiday. We always used to go to France or Spain for the sunshine and the great on site facilities and entertainment for kids. El Delfin Verde was our favourite.

peedee

Redzed32 replied on 07/09/2020 21:26

Posted on 31/08/2020 21:55 by

Excuse my intervention then.

But in these weird times, when we are all being constrained, I was trying to offer an alternative, namely: seek outside the Club. It's an option. Or stay home. That's another. Does it have to be CAMC sites or bust???? 

 

Posted on 07/09/2020 21:26

It certainly doesn't mean CAMC or bust , as it clearly says in my post . I have had 6 weekend bookings , none of which were with the CAMC . 

Redzed32 replied on 07/09/2020 21:36

Posted on 31/08/2020 16:44 by lornalou1

I would say that any new member has as much right to book a pitch as you do, wether you have been a member for years gives you no right to a preferencial service over them. First come first served. 

Posted on 07/09/2020 21:36

At no point did I say that anyone has more rights than anyone else . I suggest you read again . 

Redzed32 replied on 07/09/2020 22:07

Posted on 30/08/2020 14:26 by Phishing

I am no fan of the club booking system as my posts on here testify but this time it is not the club at fault.

I am trying to book a break and everywhere is rammed (clubs and others) up to at least October. Frustrating but after being cooped up for most of the year and no cheap weekends on Ryanair or eurotunnel etc. then the staycation is here for a while yet.

Good news for the club and the industry but not for people used to the flexibility of book and go.

Posted on 07/09/2020 22:07

I agree with your comment on the flexibility we used to enjoy . I have not blamed the club for the situation . As I said in my post , this year has been a shocker , and the sites really needed this to save something from this year . I think every business will quite rightly be grabbing everything with both hands right now . 

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