New research commissioned by major UK retailer, Go Outdoors, reveals there’s been a surge in interest in camping after lockdown rules forced people to spend so many months stuck at home. And it’s younger people, those in their 20s and 30s, who seem to be swapping the likes of the Costa Del Sol for Cornwall for their summer break.
Go Outdoors stores have seen a 5.1% rise in shoppers aged 20 to 29 during lockdown, compared to the same period last year, as well as 3.3% rise in the 30-39 age group. Social media data analysing 16,000 posts from 12,000 people, also reveals that 8% of those planning a camping break are first-time campers, with a further 8% splashing out on a new tent for their trip.
The most popular UK destinations are the south west of England, including Devon and Cornwall, (31%), Scotland (30%), Wales (23%) and the Lake District (12%). Almost a quarter (24%) said they would camp with family members, 14% with friends, 13% wild camp and 7% camp solo.
Although the benefits of holidaying in the UK are obvious, such as beautiful views, getting closer to nature and cheaper costs, there can be downsides for young people. The most common concerns were bad weather (65%), having the right clothing (14%) and sharing the tent with others (12%). However, surprisingly, only 8% said they’d miss having wi-fi – perhaps underlining the desire to switch-off from the outside world and enjoy more simpler pleasures.
In total, nearly half of all Brits surveyed (47%) said they would consider going camping or caravanning, with 14% of those first timers. This could bode well for the future of the caravan and holiday home industry in Britain, with more young people adopting this type of staycation holiday in the future.
