Secure you summer holiday for just £5 deposit

Surely that’s an admission from camc that they got it wrong by introducing the deposit system in its present form? They listened to a few complainers, threw away the club’s USP, introduced a troublesome booking system and have had to back track.

Btw, I’m not attempting to shoot the messenger here.

That's great news Rowena I will certainly be taking advantage of it.

Thanks for the info. Just used it to make a booking for Baltic Wharf. I was interested to see the effect of my booking on the price. After making it the three days I had booked cost 60p more. Dynamic pricing in action.☹️

Although I am out of this now I didn't think there was anything wrong with the original deposit system. It was way fairer than anything out there in the commercial sector. Given the Club used to argue that a low deposit did not discourage people from booking and then cancelling at the last minute have we not gone full circle? Perhaps there is a deeper problem that we are not aware of. We have seen an unprecedented number of money off offers this year. Are people falling out of love with camping?

David

We introduced deposits in 2022 to reduce the number of speculative bookings as previously almost 1 million nights were cancelled across our UK Club campsite network. We're pleased to say that cancellations have now reduced by 70% (so more members than ever can find a pitch at the campsite they want to visit). To further help our members tour with the Club and enjoy the great outdoors, we believe we can now reduce the deposit and still retain a low cancellation rate. The deposit is still fully refundable - if you cancel more than 21 days before the arrival date you get your deposit back in full. 

Cheers, Ro. Yes I read that in the FAQ. I’m sure CAMC must realise that £5 won’t stop any speculative bookers. Not that it matters at all to me.🤷🏻‍♂️

I agree with you David. The fundamental problem is occupancy is down,hence all the offers and changes.  How bad this is we will have to wait for the accounts for 2023 to see.

I don't think people have fallen out of love with camping, the reduction in occupancy is probably down to a number of factors, cost of living, higher site prices and the shift to  motorhome ownership which is altering the style of camping and also where they camp.

peedee

Yes it will be interesting to see what happens with Baltic Wharf. Under the no deposit system by now the rest of the year would have been largely booked. Currently for hardstanding without awning only July and August are showing any full / low dates and even the few awning pitches have plenty of availability.

I don't think people have fallen out of love with camping, the reduction in occupancy is probably down to a number of factors, cost of living, higher site prices and the shift to motorhome ownership which is altering the style of camping and also where they camp.

Cost of living perhaps, reducing the number of trips made. However, if York is anything to go by prices haven't put folk off. We stopped for 3 nights a week ago and paid £50 a night booked well in advance. Looking at the prices for the few spaces left in the week before we arrived they were high fifties and the Friday over sixty. The site was full and there were lots of Motorhomes.

The fundamental problem is occupancy is down...

Is it? I don't see it like that at all. I'm almost constantly monitoring about six to eight sites and I can't get a full week at any of them for the next two months.

shift to motorhome ownership which is altering the style of camping and also where they camp.

Again looking at club sites when I'm staying this isn't the case, MH now usually outnumber caravans often by quite  significant amount and it's never lower than 50%. What was the latest figures? Highest ever membership and was it something like 70/80% MH owners?