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Visitor numbers on the rise as the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show 2019 hailed a success
91,383 visitors attended this year’s Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show at the NEC, an increase of 1.4% on last year. Exhibitors have reported strong business during the six days of the show, which offered the UK’s largest display of caravans, campervans, motorhomes, caravan holiday homes & lodges, tents, awnings and accessories, all at one venue.
As well as five halls full of exhibitors, the show saw a packed programme of celebrity guests, activities for children such as the brand-new Bear Grylls Adventure space, a skating area and a climbing wall, plus features areas such as the Freedom to Go Theatre and the Top Dog Arena with amazing agility demonstrations by four-legged stars. Celebrities who appeared at the show this year included Julia Bradbury (Camping and Caravanning Club President), Matt Allwright and Martin Dorey (Caravan and Motorhome Club Ambassadors), adventurer and author Alastair Humphreys, stars of ‘SAS: Who Dares Wins’ Matthew ‘Ollie’ Ollerton and Jason Fox, Great British Bake-off contestant Karen Wright, Paralympic athlete and Strictly Come Dancing star Lauren Steadman, TV gardener David Domoney, the Chef Campers, award-winning travel blogger Claire Hall and four-legged social media sensations, spaniels Max, Paddy and Harry.
Commenting on the show, Jenny Summers, NCC Events Marketing Director said: “Through working with existing and new brand partners we have increased the reach of the marketing campaign, as well as introducing new attractions to maximise the opportunity of hosting the event during half term. This year we have seen an increase in younger families attending the show thus lowering the overall average visitor age. We will continue to evaluate feedback to make next year’s show an even bigger success for exhibitors and visitors alike.”
Sponsors, partners and exhibitors were kept busy throughout the show and visitors took advantage of a host of special show offers, as they planned ahead for short breaks and summer holidays this year. The popularity of the show reflected news that was released during the event by the UK Caravan & Camping Alliance, highlighting the major contribution of holiday parks and campsites to the tourism economy. A new study has revealed that the sector generates £9.3bn annually, which equates to 8% of UK tourism’s overall GVA, and supports 171,448 full-time jobs. The full ‘Pitching the Value’ report can be read and downloaded at www.ukcca.org.uk.
Nick Page, Swift Group Commercial Director, said: “Swift enjoyed a very positive Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show, with encouraging sales across all ranges of caravans and motorhomes. We had one of our best ever shows with excellent footfall and visitors from all points of the customer journey. We attribute a great deal of this to working hard to create an attractive purchasing environment, through initiatives such as Supersure Insurance and Swift Advance, alongside our best ever show offers. The show was also our most successful NEC events to date for holiday home sales, with the newly launched Vendee Lodge performing exceptionally well.”
Simon Howard, Marketing Director of Bailey commented: “Bailey enjoyed its best retail sales performance for six years at this year’s event. There was a good mix of visitors on-stand throughout the event meaning we successfully sold products across the portfolio”
Lee Roberts, Sales Director of Lunar Caravans said: “We were delighted with the retail performance of our two 8ft wide family models, the Quasar 686 and the new Quasar 696. We were also very pleased with sales from our top of the range Clubman and Delta models.”
Kate Thompson, Head of Press and Public Relations at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles said: “We have had a fantastic week at the show. It was the perfect place for our all-new Grand California to make its UK debut and we were delighted by the number of visitors who came to our stand and took the time to look around our products. Volkswagen campervans have long been synonymous with freedom and adventure and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed talking to owners and future customers about their travel plans and dreams.”
Peter Munk, CEO of Willerby said: “This has been a very exciting show for us as we have launched three new homes, including the Rowan from our bespoke range; this is a fantastic addition to our offering and visitors at the show were able to take a look first-hand at the unique and spacious design on offer. Thousands of people visited the show across the six days, and we were thrilled to welcome visitors to our stand to explore the model first-hand. We’re looking forward to helping make holidays more relaxing for families across the UK.”
Richard Forman, Managing Director of PJ Camping said: “Yet again, the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome show has been a resounding success for us at PJ Camping. For this year’s show we expanded the tent, motorhome awning and accessories offering by over 35% and as a result, we were able show a much broader range of products. Working closely with the NCC events team we have been able to create arguably the best display to date including the stunning new camping zone.”
Michelle Jewell, Communications and Event Manager for the Camping & Caravanning Club said: “The Camping and Caravanning Club has had a very successful show, the stand, especially our members area has been extremely busy all week.”
Harvey Alexander, Caravan and Motorhome Club Director of Marketing, comments: “The Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show was a great success. We welcomed members and show visitors on Club Day and Club ambassador Matt Allwright hosted a series of informative forums. Our caravan and motorhome manoeuvring sessions were fully booked each day. 2019 looks set to be a bumper touring year.”
Rob Birrell, Marketing Director of tent supplier, Vango, said: “The Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show provides us with the perfect opportunity to showcase our new tent and awning collections for the season. Its central location continues to be popular, encouraging lots of our customers to visit, resulting in a busy, thoroughly enjoyable week!”
Richard Taylor, Sales and Operations Director of Summit International said: “Our first time exhibiting at the show, we were impressed with the number of visitors and really encouraged by the level of interest and support for the Hydracell salt water activated hybrid lantern and charger system. Not only were visitors telling us they have voted for the product in the OIA awards, actual sales at the show have been excellent.”
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