Outdoor accommodation specialist Pitchup.com has recorded growth in the first few days of the New Year, with festive period trading value up by 85 percent year-on-year.
The website, which features over 2,800 bookable camping, caravanning and glamping sites in 36 countries worldwide, has benefitted from a significant increase of early inbound bookings from Europe to the UK, up by an impressive 390% year-on-year.
Holidaymakers from France and Spain are the largest source of inbound bookings, with the average traveller booking four months in advance.
Traditional camping and caravanning options continue to perform well with a 157 percent increase in static caravan bookings; a 132 percent increase in hardstanding pitch bookings and a 115 percent rise in fully-serviced pitch bookings, year-on-year.
Camping pods, which bridge the gap between camping and glamping, have enjoyed the most significant growth in bookings so far this year, with a sharp 185 per cent increase.
UK domestic bookings are also up across the board with Dorset experiencing the biggest growth of 219 per cent year-on-year. Demand for Devon continues to grow, with bookings up 81 per cent, whilst Scotland has also enjoyed significant growth of 83 per cent.
Bookings by UK holidaymakers for continental Europe show that Spain is leading the way, with a 666% increase year-on-year.
Dan Yates, founder of Pitchup.com said: “We’ve enjoyed strong advanced sales thoughout the festive period and in to the New Year as we continue to see post-Brexit demand for affordable accommodation. Camping and caravanning is particularly popular in Europe and as such, we’re seeing a number of holidaymakers from France and Spain booking ahead for this summer, as the weak pound makes the UK a more affordable option.”
He continued: “Domestic bookings continue to perform well, indicating that the staycation trend will continue. However, Spain is also proving popular as holidaymakers shop around for more economical overseas holidays in Brits’ favourite package holiday destination.”
Yates concluded: “With more people than ever now researching and booking their holidays via smartphones, our mobile site which is picture-led and available in 14 languages, has certainly been a crucial early sales driver, delivering a 163 per cent rise in bookings.”
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