Summer's here and in Credit-Crunch Britain, families all over are ready to experience the independence, fun and freedom of a motoring holiday.
One in five people say they are planning on hitting the UK roads and take a driving holiday this year according to a survey by Volkswagen campervans. The so-called 'no-tel' (anything other than a hotel or appartment)or 'staycation' holiday looks like it's here to stay!
The findings also showed that more than half of all Brits are intending to take more spontaneous and adventurous holidays staying in campervans, motorhomes, tents or caravans instead.
More than 68% of people say that adventure holidays make them bond more with their family, and that a UK-based activity break would see people spending more quality time with their children.
Amanda Lamb, travel expert and TV presenter of ‘A Place In the Sun’, says: ‘In these unusual times people’s habits are changing. They want to pack up their loved ones and throw themselves into the thrill of road trips rather than being tied to a beach.’
The shift to more spontaneous holiday habits probably mirrors the mood of the nation, with the gloomy economy tempting people to escape to the freedom of the open road. Forty per cent of people say they will ‘set off on holiday and just see where they end up’ rather than planning anything in advance. A campervan was the most popular type of vehicle that people said would encourage them to take more breaks.
It’s not just the open road that people look to for escape. Nine out of ten parents say that playing games together as a family on holiday is important, and will be indulging in the nation’s top three ‘car games’, which were revealed as ‘i-spy’, ‘number plate game’ and ‘yellow car’. People are predicted to play more than 100 million games of ‘i-spy’ alone while on the road this year.
Proving that Brits really are in it for the experience this year, just 20 per cent said the threat of rain could stop them having fun. However, one in five will be packing wellies and one in three an umbrella. As a nation we remain optimistic though: over 80 per cent of respondents claimed they were planning to take sunglasses on holiday.
June 2009
Coleman Parkes carried out this research study of 1,000 UK adults for Volkswagen Campervans in April 2009.
‘VW Escape’
This summer a selection of Volkswagen Caravelle people carriers and California campervans will be travelling across the country to find out how the UK is ‘escaping’ from the doom and gloom of recession on their ‘staycations’. The vans will be visiting a variety of events and collecting comments from active sports enthusiasts and families to share information and ideas on where to go - whether it’s a day trip or a two-week break. Go to www.vwescape.co.uk for full details. | 
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