Holiday parks: current issues and trends

Abstract

Caravan and chalet parks are facing a potentially prosperous future in Great Britain as the 1990s progress. Demographic factors, in particular, are favourable to the industry's expansion. The parks have sought to upgrade their facilities, and now consider themselves to be holiday parks rather than caravan parks. The trade organizations for the parks have sought to promote a new image for the industry, and to initiate a co-ordinated promotional strategy among parks. New markets have also been considered by the trade organizations, although many park operators remain to be convinced of the value of deflecting their energies, even in part, from their traditional markets. Staff training is a concern of the industry nationally, although again individual operators are less sure of the benefits of this, particularly as many of their staff are temporary employees in the summer season. The implications of these issues for the holiday park sector in Britain are reviewed, paying particular attention to Wales where this sector is especially important.