With weather forecasters predicting the hottest summer since 1976, a wave of excitement is sweeping across the domestic tourism industry.
One area set to reap the benefits and enjoy a renaissance this summer, attracting both repeat clients and a swathe of new ones, is holiday parks, that stalwart British getaway option.
Offering great value for money, improved accommodation and a range of new facilities, UK parks now offer holidaymakers the chance to enjoy a break by the sea with weather, potentially, to match the Med.
From older couples to groups of friends, and from families on a budget to those who simply want to avoid airport hassles, clients can take advantage of the great mix of entertainment and activities on site as well as visiting top attractions close to the holiday parks.
To help ensure you are up to speed with what’s on offer, we’ve checked out some of the best options for a great holiday park break by the sea offered by some of the sector’s main players.
Hoseasons
Hoseasons has 440 holiday parks across Britain and the Channel Islands. Accommodation ranges from luxury Scandinavian-style timber lodges and contemporary apartments, through to chalets and caravans.
Some parks have lively, full-on entertainment programmes while others are in peaceful countryside locations that make great bases for holidaymakers who want to relax and explore.
New for 2010: To meet demand for top-end accommodation, Hoseasons has nearly doubled its Ultimate programme. Its 11 locations across the UK, including Gwel an Mor in Portreath, Cornwall, offer sumptuous accommodation with modern interiors, most with private outdoor hot tubs.
Also launched in March is a range of active breaks under the Go Active banner. Five flagship sites aim to provide holidaymakers with the biggest-ever selection of sporting activities at a UK holiday park.
Top Park: Gurnard Pines
Where: Cowes, Isle of Wight.
Why: One of the sites offering the Go Active programme, its activities include high ropes, Crokick (a cross between football and croquet), disc golf, fencing, table tennis, archery, Aeroball (a combination of basketball and trampolining), sea scooters, snorkelling, raft building, inflatable canoeing, fitness classes and Fundamentals (gymnastics for children aged six and under).
The park is set in 55 acres of woodland and enjoys a picturesque setting close to the yachting haven of Cowes.
While you’re there: Cowes is an ideal base to discover the Isle of Wight, with its many sandy beaches and attractions including Blackgang Chine Fantasy Park near Ventnor, Carisbrooke Castle, The Needles, Dinosaur Isle at Sandown and The Isle of Wight Steam Railway.
Sample package: £995 for a family of four staying in a two-bedroom Gurnard Bungalow for a week during the peak summer holiday. hoseasons.co.uk/agents
0844 847 1144
Pontin’s
The five Pontin’s holiday parks – Southport at Ainsdale Beach; Prestatyn Sands in north Wales; Brean Sands near Weston-super-Mare, Somerset; Camber Sands in Rye, East Sussex; and Pakefield at Lowestoft, Suffolk – are all located on the coast.
New for 2010: This year sees the addition of ice skating, roller rinks and the Big Night Out Game Show. As well as loads of prizes for each heat, winners will have the chance to take part in the final in November hosted by BBC children’s show presenters Dick and Dom, and win a trip to Lapland or Las Vegas.
From July, a new restaurant will offer half-board holiday options. Across the parks from June, the line-up of top cabaret includes X Factor’s Eoghan Quigg and Same Difference.
Top Park: Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park
Where: Central Beach, Prestatyn, north Wales.
Why: This lively park offers more than 70 activities including dancing, karaoke, quizzes, swimming, football, darts, snooker and basketball, children’s clubs, competitions and game shows.
There are also three beaches just a stone’s throw away. Accommodation is in comfortable Club, Classic or Budget self-catering apartments. The park has a small store as well as restaurants.
While you’re there: Visit Snowdonia National Park and head to the summit of Mount Snowdon. Plus, check out Conwy Castle, Great Orme Mines, Rhyl Sea Life Centre and Llandudno’s dry ski slope.
Sample package: Three nights’ self-catering at Prestatyn Sands from July 23 for a family of four costs from £165, equating to £13.75 per person per night.
Agent info: Pontin’s offers travel agents concessions and double commission during promotional periods, plus awards for top sales agent of the month. The company has also created its own price comparison site, at pontins.com/pricechecker, which agents can use to compare its prices against those of other holiday operators. pontins.com/agents, 0844 576 5959
Haven
Haven has 35 holiday parks nationwide, from Cornwall to St Andrews. Guests can enjoy a wide range of free activities including kids’ clubs, SplashZones offering heated indoor pool complexes, Parent Free Zones for teenagers, football coaching, archery, fencing, go-karts, mini-golf, remote control cars, tenpin bowling, kids’ clubs and adventure playgrounds.
New for 2010: Haven is launching Tiny Mites Music sessions to encourage children aged under five to enjoy music, movement and drama. Little ones can shake, rattle and roll to the action songs, rhymes and rhythm created for them by puppets and percussion instruments.
Top Park: Primrose Valley Holiday Park
Where: Filey Bay, Yorkshire.
Why: Haven’s flagship Holiday Park has direct access to a blue flag beach. The park has had substantial investment in recent years, with new and upgraded facilities including a multi-level pool complex, a boating lake, fun fair, coarse fishing lake and adventure rope course.
While you’re there: Scarborough, John Bull Rock Factory, The Yorkshire Moors, Pickering Steam Railway, Whitby and Flamingo Land Theme Park are all within 30 miles.
Agent info: Haven is offering agents special deals to stay at its UK Holiday Parks, with prices from £20 per night. To apply for this rate, email your details to agency.sales@bourne-leisure.co.uk indicating your preferred date and park. Haven also offers agents free day passes to experience its Holiday Parks first hand.
Sample package: A seven-night summer holiday break costs from £97 per person for six people sharing a Superior two-bedroom self-catering accommodation. The rate is valid for a stay on July 19. bourneleisuresales.co.uk, 0871 230 1919
Butlins
Butlins has been operating for more than 70 years and operates three family holiday resorts, at Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness.
The sites offer about 50 free activities including Splash Waterworld, bingo, puppet shows, go-karting, cinema, kids’ clubs, fun family fitness, fencing, karaoke and a laser game.
New for 2010: Butlins has announced a two-year contract with Guinness World Records that will make ‘instant record-breaking’ available to holidaymakers between April and November across all three parks.
By taking part in The Guinness World Records Live! Challenge Fair, guests could become certified Guinness World Records holders.
Top Park: Butlins, Skegness
Where: Skegness, Lincolnshire
Why: The resort sits right on a wide, sandy, Blue Flag beach. It also has a spa that offers face and body treatments from £20.
While you’re there: Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve, Natureland Seal Sanctuary, Fantasy Island Theme Park, Hardy’s Animal Farm, Skegness Water Leisure Park, National Parrot Sanctuary and Stock Car are all in the local area.
New for 2010: A high-rope course and climbing wall.
Agent info: Bourne Leisure has redesigned its website to help agents keep up to date with its latest news and make bookings for its three brands: Butlins, Haven and Warner Leisure Hotels.
The new site is designed to offer agents a quicker process as well as greater detail about the accommodation grades and experiences available.
Sample package: A three-night summer break at Butlins Skegness costs from £109 per person. bourneleisuresales.co.uk, 0845 070 4742
Parks for the over-55s
It may be the family market that initially springs to mind with holiday parks, but these classic UK breaks are popular with empty-nesters too.
Harold Burke, sales and marketing director of Grand UK Holidays, which specialises in the over-55s sector, says this growing market has proved relatively immune to the recession.
“Travel agencies which target over-55s are tapping into a group of loyal customers who like to book face-to-face with agents instead of online. This age group also often take several trips a year and are not tied to school holiday periods,” he says.
“The holiday villages we offer suit mature clients as they feature facilities such as bowls and dancing. Most accommodation and facilities are on the ground floor, and the holiday villages are largely adults-only so clients know they will be with like-minded folk.”
Top Park: South Downs Holiday Village
Where: Selsey Bill, south of Chichester, West Sussex.
Why: Just half a mile from the sandy beach lining Bracklesham Bay, the park offers live entertainment each night and daily tea dances, short-mat bowls, skittles, petanque and a putting green.
Agent info: For more details, email the agency sales team at tasupport@theukholiday group.com.
Sample package: From £229 for five days, half-board, including coach travel from 350 free pick-up points and two half-day sightseeing excursions (Bognor Regis and Chichester). There is no single supplement. grandukholidays.com, 01603 619933
