| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 02/04/01 |
| Author: | Page Number: 39 |
| Copyright: Other |
Potential sales
MOTORHOMES are the ultimate in independent travel, yet despite the growing number of people turning away from package tours, they have still not caught on in the British market.
There were signs of growth a few years ago.
Since then, Unijet and car-rental brokers Suncars and Pelican have pulled their motor-home products.
It is a very specialist market, suited to countries with wide open spaces, such as the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, where people want to see as much as they can in a short time.
One of the misconceptions people have is that they will be roughing it by hiring a motorhome, but today’s vehicles are quite luxurious.
A typical motorhome from Cruise America, which operates in the US and Canada, has a fridge, microwave and oven, and bathroom facilities with shower.
Britz Campervans and Maui Motorhomes, which are both owned by THL Rentals and operate in Australia and New Zealand, together form the largest motorhome company in the world with a fleet of more than 4,000 vehicles.
Their vehicles sleep between two and six adults and include fridge, microwave and oven, toilet and shower. Crockery, cutlery, linen, pillows and towels are all provided in the rental charge.
THL Rentals UK manager Leanne Lengton said: “Ex-UK business is thriving, with figures for Australia and New Zealand exceeding the same period last year.”
On the road: motorhomes are better suited to countries like Canada that have large, open spaces