Greg Gerber posted on November 20, 2008 06:21
BIRMINGHAM, England -- They queued around the block to be first in, they pored over the latest models, they camped in the car park and brought their own packed lunches.
Caravan enthusiasts were out in force last month for their annual pilgrimage to Birmingham. This year is expected to post the highest turnout yet – with an estimated 70,000 attending the International Caravan and Motorhome show at the NEC.
There was little evidence of the trendy young crowd who are said to be adopting the hobby – VisitBritain reported this month that 35-44 year-olds go camping and caravanning more than other other age group. Most of the visitors to the show were empty nesters… perhaps the 30-somethings visited at the weekend.
The trendy Tab caravan, the flat-screen television with access to Skype and email, and the motorhome with a self-contained SmartCar garage, were among other innovations at the show. One exhibit causing a stir was the custom-built EcoStream, an environmentally-aware version of the iconic AirStream caravan. The aluminium trailer was featured solar panels, a wood burning stove, recycled materials and composting toilet.
Whether it’s environmental concerns over flights, the threat of recession or strength of the Euro, this has been a bumper couple of years for caravans. Everything but the British weather is driving holidaymakers back to Britain's camp sites.
Last year, 16 million camping and caravanning trips were taken according to VisitBritain, while this year, figures from the National Caravan Council revealed a 20 per cent rise in campsite bookings for July and August.
SOURCE: The Times