Glamping Pods

I've generally seen the safari tents being used quite well on C&CC sites but they're not suitable for year round use so have a limited value income-wise on sites which stay open all year. They also don't have washroom facilities so the appeal is lessened for some users.

Whilst I don't disagree that the club would not have been able to forecast the increase / resurgence in staycations on the back of a global pandemic, I do still feel the diversification feels more in keeping with the less for more approach which others have mentioned has seen a number of commercial sites marginalise touring pitches at the expense of fixed accommodation. 

I don't believe the capacity of pitches during summer months and/or weekends supports the argument for the need for further diversification.  I fully understand the principle if these new pods were at maximum capacity all year round however I suspect their utilisation will be below that of a standard pitch?  I'd be interested to see the occupancy figures.  Similarly the space taken up per pitch to help give a direct comparison would also be interesting.

Motorhome manufactures are already targeting the 3500 weight limit market and improved engines to meet emissions targets.  These innovations and technologies will ripple into the van world, reinvestment into core business where supply overtakes demand will ensure sustainability.  Id hate to look back in 5 years and due to a further expansion in this area theres an impact where more tourers are unable to do what they enjoy now due to a lack of availability. 

For me if I wanted to stay in fixed accommodation I'd find a hotel, it would certainly be cheaper than my current level of investment.  However, thats my opinion and  i guess its a matter of personal choice.

Bryn, sadly many of the 3500kg MHs being produced now are barely fit for purpose having woefully inadequate payloads and making them totally unsuitable for families.

Add to that the lessening availability of decent tow cars and, as I said before, it’s quite understandable that the club and other operators decided to diversify into fixed accommodation applying the old adage of evolve or die. 

This year took everyone by surprise. Next year and beyond, who knows? I'm glad I'm not the one who has to decide which direction is the right one.

Tin, I totally understand your thoughts on the restrictions of weight and the challenges ahead with greener vehicles, I guess my worry is, as you say, other operators and now the club have begun removing pitches at the expense of traditional touring.

Im not sure we're yet at a point yet which necessitates this, withstanding the diversification argument.  I guess in the absence of facts, tr: occupancy, space, income and expenditure and a long term strategy to give a more informed view it will remain a point of healthy discussion.

Unfortunately I believe that the next 20 yrs will see the demise of caravaning and motorhoming as we know it now. Smaller, lighter alternative fuelled cars will require a very different type of caravan/trailer. More and more pods, chalets, permanently pitched tents etc. will become the norm. Both of the major clubs and many commercial operators will need to adapt in order to survive. Over the past 25 yrs we have witnessed the growing number of the above units taking over sites in France (probably for different reasons, but growing none-the-less). It will come here, however our touring days will probably be over by then.

I completely understand why the club went down this route, Bryn, and I’m pleased to see the evolution for future generations as I suspect, like Scoutman, vanning as we know it will become a thing of the past. That's not to say I like the change on a personal level but I can see the need to embrace new ways.

I'd hazard a guess that covid may set back plans for all manner of projects in many areas by some years so I don’t think we need to worry too much quite yet.

Even before the covid scare, we had no liking for the idea of living in accomodation where there was way of knowing how well, or even if, things had been cleaned after the previous occupants, who may well have had dogs, cats, curry, tobacco products, unwashed body parts, etc with them.  

I think you are right and some manufacturers are already going down the route of smaller lighter LVs,  looking at keeping the"freedom" of going when and where one likes,but with much more environmental sensitive tow vehicles and M/vans will need to follow

We still prefer caravanning, but the user payloads are really poor on most UK produced 'vans'.  We get round it by a large tow car and putting most stuff in the car.  I understand why manufacturers feel the necessity to keep leisure vehicles light, but I don't think anyone is really sure of the direction....

It could very well be the end of caravanning as we know it.  Bailey have already experimented with a much smaller unit and a larger 'wrap-around' awning.  Sites in the UK and on the continent are 'installing' more small permanent units (pods, yurts etc), including our own Club.

However, I think manufacturers are also thinking about adding some sort of 'motorisation' to caravans, and who knows what progress could be made in producing green vehicles capable of pulling larger units?

I do think that the Club needs to keep all options open.  'The Great Outdoors' tends to be a buzz-phrase, not only with our Club but with other similar sites/ organisations.  That's possibly what will make the Club and other Sites different from a large hotel....  Who knows what the future holds, but maybe the ethos and 'feel' of a 'campsite' will distinguish it from a hotel.

David