Prices too high or falling interest in camping

Whilst many of us share concerns that the rising site prices may create lower overall income, we would need to see the occupancy rates over time to validate that.

Once occupancy rates and/or income are falling, then the price setting needs to be looked at again. If income is still rising, then you can not blame any site or club rising their prices if the demand exists.

Whilst I only tour now with my wife, the extra cost per child would have impacted on my decision to start touring all those years ago.

There was certainly no lack of interest at Melrose Gibson Park on Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th May - the site was full  both nights apart from one serviced pitch.

I do wonder if any of those commenting about high pitch prices ever look at other accommodation costs? Anyone tried getting a decent holiday cottage or guest house recently and noted the costs? And just because caravan sales are slowing doesn’t mean people are giving up caravanning. People who already have them will use them. 

The Club has reduced site prices this year but it is still wise to shop around, there are alternatives well worthwhile and often cheaper.

Some of the more expensive Club sites have been rather empty this year, at least the ones I have used, but if you look at the availability over the forthcoming Bank Holiday there are very few vacancies across the network. Those in employment seem not too bothered about the cost.

peedee

I first heard about Dynamic Pricing some decades back in the context of foreign  package holidays and flights. The explanation then was it provided a means of extracting maximum profit at any given moment in time according to supply and demand. I think this is still the case? Personally I don’t think the club are too aggressive in this pursuit but I still have some concerns for younger families who possibly are most  detrimentally affected by its structure. I also don’t think that discounting offers helps those, like young families, who really need to plan in some advance. I guess many will have looked at pricing during the winter and will have already made their choices to suit their cloth.

I suppose its the internet that has enabled dynamic pricing? If we go back to the time when we got all our information from printed brochures it was much more difficult to change the prices once published although in some instances "surcharges" were introduced! Such is progress?

As to young families and affordability I am sure some will struggle but I assume they have weighed up the alternative holiday choices and decided that camping is an acceptable choice for them? It perhaps should also be remembered, if we think back to when our own children were younger, that we generally had more limited holidays in terms of days away. Unlike when we retire when we are free to spend months away should we wish. If you spend 50 nights plus away each year rising costs will be more noticeable. As a result you have two choices, either spend less time away or seek out lower cost sites, both are probably a compromise?

David

I must admit that I never used to think much about the cost of sites but now £50 night for a standard pitch seems all too common for a couple and a caravan. I don’t quite understand why the charge per person as we are all self catering and personally we actually never use the toilet blocks as we are self sufficient and don’t like communal facilities. Recently stayed at a hotel for £85 night including breakfast. We can and will vote with our wallets but that is not how a club should work. Perhaps the electric should be metered like some CLs do. 

I’m a bit puzzled why you would choose to pay for full facility sites when you don’t want the facilities🤷🏻‍♂️. Why not use CLs instead?

Metering electricity is being trialled on some club sites.

I have been a regular critic of the price increases the club has introduced in recent times, the comments re other industries increasing prices is relevant to the clubs price structure but I do firmly believe that there is a lot of businesses taking advantage and screwing as much out of their customers as possible the club included.

The introduction of deposits and forfeiting the deposits and in some cases the full cost of the holiday if you have to cancel has put a lot of people off the club and booking in advance,

But I do see a chink of light, today having booked my next holiday a few months ago, 4 nights at Warwick followed by 21 days at Stover, I have been taken ill not ill enough to stop us going but ill enough to need urgent medical tests etc. This has resulted in me having to cancel two days at Warwick, I was very pleased to be told that even though it is only 5 days notice the cost to me will be a cancellation fee of £10, which will be reimbursed with a £10 voucher to be used towards any booking.

This has been a very pleasant surprise and is much appreciated by myself and my lovely wife, thankyou club for being understanding.

I must admit that I never used to think much about the cost of sites but now £50 night for a standard pitch seems all too common for a couple and a caravan.

Not our experience. Our tour will use 10 CAMC sites, one of which is no facility and one where we have booked a service pitch. The average cost is £35.33 per night. Whilst a higher figure than previous years, the overall increase is inline with other price rises.

A seaside stay booked in August, also paying for one child, using a service pitch will cost £44.64.