Forget the image of cooking baked beans in the tin on a camp fire and sleeping under damp canvas: today camping and mobile home holidays are far more sophisticated.
Keycamp Holidays managing director Simon Tobin said:”People imagine camping holidays to be like Girl Guides’ trips were 25 years ago.
“But things couldn’t be more different, our mobile homes are more like five-star hotels.”
With swimming pools, top-notch on-site entertainment for the kids, good-quality shops and often beautiful surroundings, the reality of camping and mobile-home holidays in France is worlds apart from the image both clients and agents often hold, say operators.
Haven Europe marketing manager Kate Locke said: “It’s hard to change people’s minds, but camping and mobile-home holidays really are perfect for families. The accommodation is very comfortable, the sites are safe and it’s flexible. There’s so much to do.”
Tents are usually hi-tech and spacious and mobile homes well designed and tastefully decorated. “There’s often more space in a mobile home than in a self-catering apartment. You have your own garden and outside area, so there’s more room to spread out,” said Keycamp Holidays’ Tobin.
Less than 25% of camping holidays are sold through the trade, added Tobin, because of agents’ lack of understanding about the product.
As well as problems with image, camping holidays are viewed as a complex product to sell. “Agents tend to shy away from the product as it may seem complex – people can go at any time to any destination using various modes of transport. You can travel day or night, with or without a cabin – there is a lot of choice,” said Tobin.
But once agents are familiar with the product, booking is easy. Keycamp Holidays’ new brochure includes a quick reference index called ‘Everything You Need to Know’, detailed maps and personal view of each site.
“There is lots of information to help agents, the brochure is very clear and we have a special training programme.
“There is also an Internet site and our reservation centre can help with any questions,” said Tobin.
With such a wide choice of camp site and location, it’s important that agents establish what clients want from their holiday and who exactly is going, say operators.
Do they want to be by the coast or in the countryside? What activities are they interested in? Different locations are better suited to particular activities, such as horse riding, water sports, walking and wine tasting. Do they want a kids’ club? Do they want a busy or quiet site? Do they want a disco on site? How far do they want to drive? For those unsure about travelling long distances, closer destinations should obviously be recommended.
“Some sites and areas are particularly suitable for toddlers and these are marked in our brochure. Brittany’s flat beaches, for example, are good for young children,” said Tobin.
“Camping holidays offer such a huge choice in terms of sites, destinations and accommodation that there really is something for everyone.”
n Establish your customer’s needs. Find out who your customer is. Are there any children in the party? If so, how old are they?
n Choose the right destination. Use the map and mileage charts at the front of the brochure and resort-introduction pages to advise your customer when choosing his or her destination.
n Choose the right site. Find out what your customer likes to do on holiday, including any activities that they enjoy. Use the brochure descriptions on the resort pages to help you recommend the right site for your client. Remember, there is something for everyone.
n Assess your customer’s accommodation requirements. What is the party size? Are there any special needs?
n Choose the right route. Make sure you take your client’s starting point and final destination into account when deciding on a crossing point.
What’s new for 2000
Sunsites:has introduced 13 Value Plus Sites to its second-edition brochure for summer 2000 for those wanting a no-frills alternative to the full service and facilities of the main Sunsites programme. Prices lead in at £169 for a family of six staying for seven nights in April at the four-star site, Le Dattier in Frejus on the Riviera, including return short-sea ferry crossings. An additional 22 camp sites throughout France are also featured in the new brochure.
Haven: has introduced two new children’s clubs on selected sites. PAWS is for one to four-year-olds and T-CO is for 10-14-year-olds. There are two new models of mobile home on selected sites. The ‘Rory’ mobile home has children’s bedrooms decorated in a jungle theme and comes with two free kids’ rucksacks. The ‘Caprice’ mobile home has double glazing, heating, air-conditioning and a spacious central lounge. New luxury Prestige wooden lodges – twice the size of a mobile home – are available on some sites.
Keycamp: a discount of up to £150 is available on holidays in May, June and December if booked before May 24. Football training with UEFA-qualified coaches has been introduced on selected sites in Brittany and the Vendee for five to 16-year-olds from May to September. A flydrive option has been introduced to a range of airports close to Keycamp sites. Six new sites have been added in France.