Camps get a multi-million make-over

WITH the staycation trend showing no signs of abating next year bookings at Butlins holiday camps are up 11% on last year after a six-year, £100m investment programme.

And it seems mums are doing the choosing when it comes to holiday bookings.



"Around 78% of our bookings are from mums," says Butlins managing director Richard Bates, who hired consultants to tell him what women think about holidays and adjusted his brochures to win their approval.

“Customers are forthright in telling us what they want: brighter, more modern accommodation, sea views, air-conditioning, floor-to-ceiling windows.”

Three Butlins resorts – Bognor Regis resort, Minehead and Skegness – attract 1.5 million customers a year and holidaymakers can take advantage of early booking discounts until January 31.



They include free places for the first child on a weekend break, school holiday and selected midweek breaks, or 20% price reductions for guests without children.

“After the initial booking period expires in February, our guests will book later and later. But we will offer holidays in 2010 which families can comfortably afford, despite the recession,” Bates says.

Butlin's are not the only holiday camp planning big improvements next summer.

Parkdean promises 32 new holiday-home categories for caravans and luxury lodges across 24 parks, with biggest savings on August online bookings at eight venues in Cornwall.



Haven Holidays meanwhile plans to spend £40m to bring the 'wow factor' to 35 UK parks, including Space Bowls and flumes to jazz up pool areas, adventure golf courses and a £12m revamp of accommodation.