Plea to Prime Minister as outdoor holiday providers face shut-down

The Caravan and Motorhome Club, together with the British Holiday & Home Parks Association, the National Caravan Council and the Camping and Caravanning Club, have written an open letter to Britain’s new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, calling for urgent action to stave off a crisis in their sector.

The four organisations say that the £9.3bn of visitor spending generated by their members each year is under threat from spiralling energy costs.

The caravan and camping sector is the most popular paid holiday in the UK. Holiday parks and campsites generate £9.3bn in visitor expenditure equating to £5.3bn Gross Value Added (GVA), and support over 170,000 FTE jobs across Britain. They are an integral part of the local economy within rural and coastal communities, and provide affordable holidays to families and individuals in the great outdoors.

Along with other industries in the UK, this sector is facing a crisis. Utility costs are creating an unsustainable financial pressure on businesses across the camping and caravanning industry and the four bodies are calling for urgent actions from the Government on energy costs and a reduction in VAT. 

Nick Lomas, Director General of the Caravan and Motorhome Club said, “The Club will always do all it can to support its members and the caravan and camping industry. We urge the Prime Minister to ease the burden of spiralling utility costs and to reduce VAT.”

Lomas continues, “Club members spend £420m annually in the local rural tourism economy when on holiday. This is money spent on shopping, eating out, visitor attractions, fuel etc. This is such an important sector for the UK economy and, equally as important, leisure vehicle and camping holidays enable people to spend time in the great outdoors with its numerous physical and mental wellbeing benefits. Holidays must remain affordable for everyone. We are proud to be part of the UK’s tourism sector and recognise that our Club and members are an essential part of the UK economy.” 

Parks and campsites of all sizes, say the bodies, are also being hit hard by VAT levies which make them unable to compete on a level playing field with other countries in mainland Europe.

In many EU states, they point out, a more favourable VAT arrangement exists for tourism providers which helps such businesses to keep their prices down. A similar lowering of VAT for UK tourism businesses, they say, would help keep holidays more affordable for people already battling cost of living rises.

Staying options provided include touring pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes, rented caravan holiday homes and lodges, and glamping units. Value-for-money prices and high quality surroundings and facilities make parks and campsites a popular choice for millions of people each year, the organisations say.

In its letter, the bodies congratulated Liz Truss on her election as PM, and said that their members looked forward to an early meeting at which their concerns could be discussed.

For more details about the Caravan and Motorhome Club visit www.camc.com.

Notes to Editors

About the Caravan and Motorhome Club

Champions of the great outdoors – from glamping to touring –  the Caravan and Motorhome Club represents the interests of around one million caravan, motorhome, campervan and trailer tent owners across the UK. Founded in 1907, the Caravan and Motorhome Club has a wealth of experience and prides itself on offering great value and high quality campsites for tourers and glampers. 

Caravan and Motorhome Club membership is just £56 per year and provides members with access to 2,700 quality campsites in the UK and overseas. The Club offers over 340 campsites across 16 countries in Europe including France, Spain and Italy amongst other destinations. Stays at these sites can be packaged with great ferry offers to create holidays that are protected by ABTA. The Club also offers a range of escorted and independent tours in Europe, Australasia, North America and Southern Africa, all of which are protected by ABTA. All members can take advantage of expert advice, overseas travel services, cover and insurance and exclusive member offers and discounts.

For further information about becoming a member of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, please visit www.camc.com or call 01342 318 813. 

About Experience Freedom

Experience Freedom from the Caravan and Motorhome Club provides glamping accommodation in some of the most beautiful locations in the UK. Experience Freedom offers a choice of glamping accommodation, motorhome hire and tent camping, all of which are available to non-members. Caravan and Motorhome Club members receive a 10% discount on glamping and up to 10% off motorhome hire plus a free Club bundle worth over £50. 

Experience Freedom is operated by the Caravan and Motorhome Club, a membership organisation with a wealth of experience in operating high quality campsites. To find out more, visit www.experiencefreedom.co.uk

Media Contacts: 

For press information, please email Nikki Nichol, Caravan and Motorhome Club at nikki.nichol@camc.com or call 07771 834443 or Victoria Eltis at Four Communications on Victoria.eltis@fourcommunications.com or call 07891 423322.