reveals why this summer is the best time to start sharing your van

The UK’S fastest-growing campervan and motorhome sharing community is reporting a booking value increase of 964.83% in the first quarter, as UK travellers' appetite for RV camping continues to skyrocket in the wake of complicated overseas travel.

Captured by the nostalgic atmosphere and fresh air, holidaymakers are once more returning to van holidays this year, with Camplify reporting that Cornwall and Wales are amongst the most popular road trip destinations.

GROWING DEMAND

Camplify recorded a 51% increase in booking requests last year (for the 12 months up to 31 August 2021), and an enormous 141% increase in paid bookings during the same period . And with another staycation boom on the horizon, demand is unlikely to fall, and van owners across the UK will once again be in a position to capitalise.

With many flights so far this year having been cancelled due to staff sickness, thousands of individuals and families across the UK have been left without their planned international holiday, and many holidaymakers are discounting international travel this summer altogether.

As a result touring and camping park, Haven, with 44 sites across the UK, were 90% booked over the Easter break this year, with almost half of its 2.5million bookings to date coming from first timers. And Parkdean Resorts, another holiday park heavyweight, have been forced to hire 7,000 additional workers to keep up with high levels of demand.

COST OF LIVING

We’re all feeling the pinch at the moment. A recent survey by The Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that 66 percent of adults in Britain had experienced an increase in the cost of living over since January, with higher energy bills cited as a cause by four in five.

But with the typical income for a week’s rental during peak season for a 4-berth coachbuilt or campervan on Camplify standing as high as £900 - £1200, those lucky enough to own a van have a great opportunity to subsidise their own income and offset the rising bills at home. By sharing their van for just two weeks of the month during June, July and August, owners are in great stead to cover their home energy bill payments for 2023!

Sam Bradley, Chistlehurst owner stated ''We started sharing our first motorhome with Camplify in 2020, and as a result of our success acquired and listed our second at the beginning of 2021. Since then, we have received close to £19,000 in bookings, and anticipate another busy summer ahead. Having two vans on the platform has meant we're busy dealing with bookings, but the additional income has meant that my wife and I have been able to work more flexibly, and spend more time with our young children.''

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY (OR WAIT)

A staggering 101,606 visitors attended this year’s Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, reflecting the huge appetite for motorhomes in the UK.

But the industry is suffering it’s biggest backlog to date. The perfect storm of under ordering of chassis by manufacturers in 2019 for fear of Brexit tariff hikes, combined with a huge spike in demand as a result of the pandemic, has left many would be owners facing a 9-12 month wait for a new van. ■

"Demand has pushed not only hirers, but also would-be owners to Camplify to hire a van while they wait, to satisfy their road trip wanderlust."