Camping in the Forest Sites

There hasn’t been one campsite I’ve seen or stayed on throughout Scotland over the last month that hasn’t been full.
Notices everywhere in shops etc. requiring staff in both the leisure and service industries. Some providers in the latter on reduced opening days or hours also witnessed too. Pubs and restaurants curtailing menus and apologising for lack of chefs and front of house staff. And yet the caravans and motorhomes in particularly keep rolling up despite the cost of fuel, and they are everywhere as in past years. 
Not sure if the crystal ball gazers, including those who predict an imminent collapse of caravanning being nigh are right but radical changes might be afoot and that may include the ownership and running of the ‘clubs’ and other network site providers. And then, according to Boris and some others it appears we have never had it so good, who knows who to believe and who knows how to plan accordingly. All spin and no substance?🤪

 

Not sure if the crystal ball gazers, including those who predict an imminent collapse of caravanning being nigh are right but radical changes might be afoot and that may include the ownership and running of the ‘clubs’ and other network site providers. And then, according to Boris and some others it appears we have never had it so good, who knows who to believe and who knows how to plan accordingly.

Interesting times ahead me thinks, I do not think there will be a collapse of caravanniing. Owners will still use them perhaps even for the same numbers of days but shorter trips and cheaper sites to help keep costs under control. I think we are already seeing a move towards using cheaper sites. My impression is CL site usage is on the increase? As for changes in Club ownersship, surely tha cannot be without the approval of the membership? I do agree we will see other networks, the number of Aires is slowly increasing, over a hundred have been established over the last year and more are alleged to be in the pipeline.

peedee

Apparently, C&CC have some 'new brooms' at the top and the general feeling is that they're sweeping in the right direction.

Who has predicted an imminent collapse of caravanning Mickey boy?, I’ve not seen that🤔

Just reading through forums generally and there is gossip/discussion about the collapse of the staycation, the fuel prices issue, rush to non fossil fuel, the addition of pods, yurts, shepherds huts, safari tents etc, and the lack of disposable income for many and the end of ‘caravanning’ as we know it. Not my thoughts but pretty regular similar comments even on CT. Many also predict a ‘brave’ new leisure type world coming in the near future. 

Back to grass roots possibly or a change in direction? 

Whilst the cost of living crisis will have a heavy burden on the less well off in society, however you define that, and hopefully Government will step in to help those most impacted. However I think it wrong to assume that the majority in the country will be impacted in the same way or whether it will change spending habits drastically. Those that enjoy our hobby will come from a wide income spectrum. Whether there are many who are borderline breadline I somehow doubt as this is no longer a "Cheap" hobby and hasn't been for years. If people give up the hobby I suspect cost will only be one element of the decision and it is possible that it could be the straw so to speak. Not saying that people won't perhaps modify how they enjoy the hobby. This could be travelling shorter distances, seeking out less expensive sites but many will continue as they have done before. Some of us might take the attitude that we don't know how much longer we can be active campers and will spend the money necessary and say to the hell with it! The chaos we have seen at Airports in the last couple of months, and likely to continue in the short term, suggests that people are prepared to spend money on holidays. What form those holidays take of course is open to question.

David 

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

Mid June, lovely weather, but 116 Club sites have vacancies this weekend,  

The user and all related content has been deleted

That pyramid of income has a very wide base and with the vast majority of folk in the bottom third, an increasing number I fear, I do feel disposable income, or lack of it, will impact the leisure industry. How seriously is the question but the have nots will be the majority and the worst affected. All this is clearly making the providers of sites a little, if not a lot more cautious when it comes to investments and pricing structures. I do hope those Camping in the Forest sites survive and continue to provide pitches in, what for me, several stunning areas at reasonable prices.
Unfortunately I can see those sites proving for the more privileged citizens becoming increasingly expensive and those sites often offered as vouchers holidays in the tabloid press also but considerably less so. We will certainly have to pay for what we get but hasn’t that always been the case? Just becoming increasingly polarised I guess which will be a shame.