MOTORHOME SALES GO ‘BONKERS’
A CARAVAN and motorhome retailer has seen orders go “bonkers” and is expecting a bumper sales year as coronavirus restrictions are eased and people opt for staycation holidays in the UK.
Don Amott Caravans, in Hilton, which has been operating since 1963, said that last year was one of the best that it had seen in a long time for sales as more families opted for UK caravan holidays due to the Covid travel restrictions on going abroad.
The Government’s announcement of the road map to easing Covid restrictions in the UK has paved the way for families to start thinking about holidays this summer with travel agents reporting a surge in bookings.
Managing director of Don Amott Caravans John Broderick said: “I only see Boris’ announcement earlier this week as being positive news. However, we need to move at a pace that makes sure that there are no more national lockdowns.
“However, it seems to be very positive from the PM; everyone wants it to work.”
Speaking earlier this month, John had said that the firm had seen a rise in sales and now says that trend has continued, especially over the past two weeks which had seen a surge of interest.
He said: “We’ve definitely seen an update, the previous week has been crackers.
“Last week we had a very busy week and sold 16 motorhomes. This week we’ve done 15 already and it’s busier on the phones and internet.
“Internet traffic in the last month has increased by 48 per cent vs last year on our website, people have been more confident with their money and I predict that after the pandemic, we’ll be seeing a boom of national optimism. “It’s been very busy but the amount we’ve been selling, it’s been bonkers.”
He has also said that more young people are turning to motorhome holidays as an alternative to going abroad. It has become a ‘cool’ way to take a holiday.
When the firm was able to reopen last year, he said: “Everything went on sale. If you could go away in it, people bought it,”
“The biggest growth we’ve seen is in younger people, who are finding these holidays more affordable. You get that sense of freedom, there’s a joy to the British holiday and you’ve just got to find what it is you want to do.
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic causing disruption to international travel plans, he said that people will be looking for holidays closer to home.
He added: “People will be wanting to embrace different things in life. It has to be what people want to do.
“It’s going to go crazy this year. We’re already seeing the production lines of new caravans struggling to keep up with the demand.
“For a long time, holidaying in a different way has been very uncool. However, partly due to a change in perception and party due to pandemic-related necessity that has changed.
“There are some very beautiful places in the UK. I think people should be brave and be adventurous. We have an enormous country with many national parks. There’s so much on our doorstep for people to explore.
“Most of us want to get to back to some normality and caravanning holidays are a great way to bond and socialize with others and get out.
“Caravaning holidays are the new cool.”
Last week we had a very busy week and sold 16 motorhomes. This week we’ve sold 15 already.
John Broderick