Securing A Motorhome Before Your Trip Abroad
Belmont Leisure Seized The Opportunity To Offer UK Residents, As Well As Vacationers, A Chance To Use A Motorhome Exactly When They Need It
British holidaymakers have become the second biggest buyers of caravans worldwide – only the US buys more mobile homes. Within the UK there are currently around 500,000 touring caravans in use, plus 200,000 motorhomes and a further 300,000 static caravan holiday homes.
Jenny Summers, Group Marketing Director of the National Caravan Council – the UK’s trade organization for the RV and caravan holiday home industries, says that “sales of both motorhomes and caravans were up in 2017, with motorhome registrations rising by 14.9% and tourer factory dispatches to dealers increasing by 8.7%. This clearly demonstrates the continuing popularity of using a leisure vehicle to explore the UK and beyond.”
According to NCC estimates, over two millions Brits now take mobile ‘staycations’ every year, whether in their own vehicles or renting them. Many of these staycations are for regular, short periods rather than for several weeks in the summer. Taking several short breaks or long weekends throughout the year is increasingly popular. It is also a way of enabling families to enjoy several holidays when costs of holidays overseas or at home are much higher during school holiday periods. Trying to get a family break at other times can be expensive, as schools are fining parents for taking children out during termtime.
All the indications are that this growth is set to continue. Figures released by the Camping & Caravanning Club indicate a 10% growth in 2018 bookings across its 106 campsites, compared to 2017 figures.
Bailey of Bristol, a family owned business which is one of Europe’s biggest caravan manufacturers and also the oldest UK leisure vehicle producer is planning to increase caravan production to around 10,000 a year. It currently sells around 7,000 caravans a year.
Demand for caravan breaks is not just from holidaymakers. It seems that many UK families regard caravans as the ideal way of visiting festivals, going on mountain biking excursions or to watch motorsports. Bart Day, head of marketing at Bailey of Bristol says, “We’re in the business of making dreams come true. It is the British belief that we’re all explorers, being able to do what you want, when you want.”
It has become a lifestyle rather than just a way of going on holiday. As a result, consumers expect the caravans to come fully equipped with all the mod cons (modern conveniences). Some enthusiasts are even demanding the absolute best – Airstream caravans imported from the US.
Such a buoyant market is leading to the introduction of innovative means of ownership enabling more and more people to afford expensive motorhomes. Matt Sims, director and founder of Belmont Leisure says ”the costs of motorhomes can be a problem when it is going to sit on someone’s driveway for up to 44 weeks a year. We thought, why not have the equivalent of chartering a yacht. People can buy a share in a luxury yacht and have the right to several weeks use. We looked at the situation and found no one offering this type of business in the UK and decided to set something up.”
He continued, “Our business concept is easily understood. We call it ‘MotorhomeShare’. It gives people a legal ‘right to use’ contract. Our contracts are for five weeks a year for a motorhome over a three year period. People can choose an initial payment for the whole three years, or a down payment and monthly payments over 36 months. There is a lot of flexibility, if people decide they no longer want to be involved, or their circumstances change, they can leave the scheme and no exit fees have to be paid.”
The costs of such a mobile home timeshare are said to be around two thirds of the cost of hiring the same vehicle. Participants can choose to pay a lump sum of £11,999 for the three years. Alternatively they can pay £5,999 upfront plus £199 per month. The vehicles are high specification, and include wi-fi, sat navs, solar panels and all mod cons – even bedding. All maintenance and cleaning is undertaken by Belmont Leisure as part of the overall contract. If people want more weeks, then arrangements can be made to link with Belmont’s standard hire service.
Belmont Leisure launched their scheme at the Camping and Caravanning Show in February. The response was immediate as Matt Sims indicates. “We were overwhelmed with interest. There were lots of people keen to sign up and wanting to know more.”
Angela Youngman
An experienced travel writer based in the UK. Angela has worked for numerous magazines such as Group Travel World, Calibre and Houston Hotel Magazine. She is the author of several guidebooks and e-books.
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Belmont Leisure, in which the owners of the business are also owners of motorhomes and use them for getting quality time exploring with their families and friends. They want to help more people experience the joy and freedom that RVing offers.