W Scottish Accommodation Occupancy Surveys Caravan & Camping Park Sector Annual Report 211 211 TNS UK Limited JN218761 May 212 211 TNS UK Ltd P a g e
Contents Executive summary p. 1 Survey method p. 3 - Occupancy in 211 p. 5 - Survey results p. 6 - Summary p. 12 - Appendices p. 13
Executive summary Caravan and camping parks had a difficult year in 211. Overall and for a number of individual months, occupancy rates were lower than in previous years, although a positive start to the season was recorded in April. Adding Context - GBTS The Great Britain Tourism Survey (GBTS) is the definitive source of information on the volume and value of domestic tourism within the UK. To provide the context for the performance of the Scottish accommodation industry during 211, a number of key findings from this survey have been highlighted. During 211 pure holiday trips to Scotland increased by 15% with trips to visit friends and relatives also increasing by 14%. Conversely business trips decreased by 5% which was in contrast to a 14% increase in this sector at a GB level. Adding further context provisional data from the International Passenger Survey reports that in 211, inbound trips from overseas visitors had increased by 3% on 21. be in part due to the nature of the sample (selfselected sample of operators/ managers compared to GBTS which is a population-based survey of visits taken). The number of overnight tourism trips in Scotland during 211 increased by 7% for serviced rented accommodation e.g. hotels/motels & Guest Houses and B&Bs. The number of overnight tourism trips where self-catering rented accommodation was used e.g. self-catering accommodation and caravan/campsites also increased, by +12%, in 211. At a GB level those staying in serviced accommodation for pure holiday trips increased by 5% and for self-catering accommodation, also by 5%. The number of overnight business trips in GB using serviced accommodation also increased by 16% during 211. These findings suggest that both inbound tourism from overseas visitors and more domestic overnight trips were taken in Scotland in 211 therefore, the overall market size increased. These findings have not been reflected in results from the occupancy surveys for most sectors, which may 1 P a g e
Caravan & Camping Parks Influenced by the timing of the Easter holiday period and the Royal Wedding Bank Holiday, occupancy rates were at % in April. However, rates for the remaining months of the year were all lower than in 21, particularly in June and August decreases of eight and nine percentage points respectively were recorded. The figures for most months in 211 were similar to those recorded in 27. The 211 average pitch occupancy rate of 43% represents a decrease of four percentage points on the 21 figure of 47% and is the lowest recorded since 25. When analysed by type, the largest decrease in occupancy levels was recorded for tent pitches. Caravan & Camping Parks Monthly Pitch Occupancy (monthly averages, %) 7 2 1 41 48 55 53 A M J J A S O Seasonal Avg 39 24 43 When analysed by location, the seasonal average pitch occupancy rate for sites located in small towns has risen from 51% to 55% over the past three years, while the rates in countryside/village and seaside areas have fallen (by eight and nine percentage points respectively since 29). Caravan & Camping Parks Trends in Pitch Occupancy Seasonal Averages (%) 45 46 45 45 47 34 36 32 2 1 43 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 21 211 2 P age
Survey Method The touring caravan and camping parks element of the survey covered the months of April-October inclusive, reflecting the closure of the majority of sites during the winter months. As in previous years, operators received an occupancy form at the start of each month of the survey period. They were asked to record, on a daily basis: the number of pitches used, the number of pitches available, and the number of pitches used by overseas tourists onto this form. The completed form was returned to TNS-RI Travel and Tourism at the end of the month for analysis. At the end of the season, the analysis of the survey data was re-run, thus enabling the inclusion of any late returns. The figures in this section of the report are based on the seasonal re-run and therefore may vary from those initially produced in the monthly summaries. At the start of each month, operators received a form on which they were asked to provide details, ideally on a daily basis, of: the number of pitches available (caravan and tent); the number of pitches let (caravan and tent); the tariff (caravan and tent). 3 P age
Table 1 211 Caravan & Camping Park sample sizes 1 No. of Properties Making returns Closed Analysis sample April 97 1 96 May 1 1 June 15 15 July 12 12 August 15 15 September 98 98 October 79 4 75 Average 98 1 97 1 Please note that due to the new data collection site used in 211, sites with tents and caravans are counted twice in the above sample sizes. 4 P a g e
Caravan & Camping Park Occupancy in 211 Caravan and camping parks had a difficult year in 211. Overall and for a number of individual months, occupancy rates were lower than in previous years, although a positive start was recorded in April. The headline findings from the 211 survey were: 211 began positively with a % occupancy rate in April, influenced by the timing of the Easter holiday period and the Royal Wedding Bank Holiday. The 211 average pitch occupancy rate of 43%, represents a decrease of four percentage points on the 21 figure of 47% and is the lowest recorded since 25. When analysed by type, the largest decrease in occupancy levels was recorded for tent pitches. 7 2 1 Occupancy rates for the remaining months of the year were all lower than in 21, particularly in June and August where decreases of eight and nine percentage points respectively were recorded. The figures for most months in 211 were similar to those recorded in 27. 41 48 55 53 A M J J A S O Seasonal Avg 39 24 43 When analysed by size, sites with -99 pitches recorded the highest average pitch occupancy rate, although this was four percentage points lower than the 21 rate (48% and 52% respectively). Over the past three years, the seasonal average pitch occupancy rate for sites located in small towns has risen from 51% to 55%, while the rates in country/village and seaside areas have fallen (by eight and nine percentage points respectively since 29). Between 21 and 211, the GB Tourism Survey recorded decreases in the proportion of trips spent in Caravan and Camping Park accommodation in Scotland (-2%), as well as the proportion of bednights (-8%) and spend (-13%). 5 P a g e
Caravan & Camping Park Survey Results The average monthly pitch occupancy for the survey period April to October along with the seasonal average for that period is presented in the chart opposite. For the 211 season, the average pitch occupancy rate rose from % in April to 55% in August before falling to 24% in October. 211 began positively with a % occupancy rate in April, influenced by the timing of the Easter holiday period and the Royal Wedding Bank Holiday. There was little difference between April and May, which is likely to be a result of more short breaks being taken in April. The GB Tourism Survey recorded decreases in the proportion of bednights spent in April and May 211 (compared to the same months in 21) while other months recorded equal or higher rates, particularly September which was five percentage points higher in 211 than the same month in 21. Between 27 and 21, the average pitch occupancy rate for caravans and camping parks has been in the range 45% - 47%. The 211 average pitch occupancy rate of 43%, therefore, represents a decrease of four percentage points on the 21 figure of 47% and is the lowest recorded since 25. It may be that disappointing summer weather impacted on the likelihood to take a caravan and camping trip in 211, with tents suffering the greatest decrease in occupancy levels (see below). The seasonal average pitch occupancy for caravans was 49% in 211, while a rate of 19% was recorded for tent pitches. In 21, a pitch occupancy rate of 51% was recorded for caravans and 28% for tents. The largest decrease in occupancy levels was recorded for tent pitches with this rate falling by nine percentage points between 21 and 211. Please note that not all operators provide information by the type of pitch used. Figure 1 Caravan & Camping Park Pitch Occupancy 211 (monthly averages, %) 7 2 1 41 48 55 53 Figure 2 Caravan & Camping Park Trends in Pitch Occupancy (seasonal averages, %) 2 1 A M J J A S O Seasonal Avg 32 34 36 39 24 45 46 45 45 47 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 21 211 43 43 6 P a g e
Table 2 211 Caravan & Camping Park pitch occupancy trends (monthly averages, %) Pitch Occupancy 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 21 211 April 15 2 24 23 24 32 25 34 33 May 28 27 29 36 36 41 47 45 48 41 June 32 34 32 35 42 49 49 47 56 48 July 46 46 48 54 65 63 61 59 55 August 47 48 57 53 62 64 64 63 63 62 53 September 27 29 35 38 44 42 37 44 39 October 13 19 15 19 21 23 28 25 25 25 24 The table above compares the average pitch occupancy rates recorded for each month in the season since 21. The timing of the Easter holiday period and the Royal Wedding can also be seen to have impacted on caravan and camping pitch occupancy in 211. The April 211 pitch occupancy rate of % is the highest recorded since 21 and a seven percentage point increase on the 21 rate of 33%. Occupancy rates for the remaining months of the year were all lower than in 21, particularly in June and August where decreases of eight and nine percentage points respectively were recorded. The average pitch occupancy rate recorded in October has been relatively consistent since 28, while the figures recorded for the majority of months in 211 were similar to those recorded in 27. 7 P a g e
Figure 3 Caravan & Camping Park trends in pitch Occupancy by size (seasonal averages, %) 7 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 21 211 34 36 25 41 38 37 35 36 32 48 41 42 44 36 54 55 53 54 52 48 48 42 2 1 1-49 -99 1-199 As in previous years, occupancy rates were calculated for four size categories, according to the number of touring pitches available on the park. The seasonal average pitch occupancy rates by size of park are illustrated in the chart above. Due to the small sample size of parks with 2+ pitches, separate results are not presented for this category.in 211, the highest seasonal average pitch occupancy rate was recorded by sites with to 99 pitches (48%). This compares to a rate of 42% amongst those with 1 to 199 pitches and is sixteen percentage points higher than the rate for sites with 1-49 pitches (32%). As illustrated in the chart above, the seasonal average pitch occupancy rate for sites with 99 pitches in 211 (48%) was equal to that recorded in 25 and lower than those recorded between 26 and 21 (in the range 52% - 54%). Sites with 1 199 pitches recorded the largest decrease in 211 (six percentage points), while the seasonal average for sites with 1-49 pitches (32%) was four percentage points lower than the 21 rate of 36%. In recent years, sites with 1-49 pitches have shown the greatest variation in their seasonal average pitch occupancy rate with a rate of 35% recorded in 28, which rose to 41% in 29 before falling to 32% in 211. Due to small sample sizes, results for sites with 1 199 pitches prior to 21 are not shown above. 8 P a g e
Figure 4 Caravan & Camping Park trends in pitch occupancy by location (seasonal averages, %) 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 21 211 55 51 52 49 49 49 49 49 48 49 44 46 42 42 43 41 41 41 38 38 36 36 34 34 35 35 34 32 34 34 31 28 29 2 1 Small town Country/village Seaside Similar to other types of accommodation, occupancy rates were analysed according to the location of the park: in a city/large town; in a small town, in the country or village, or at the seaside location. Due to the small sample sizes, the results are not presented for city and town locations. Between 25 and 28, the seasonal average pitch occupancy rate remained at 49% for sites located in small towns. In 29, this rate rose to 51% before rising by another percentage point in 21 to 52%. This rate continued to rise in 211 to 55%. The seasonal average pitch occupancy rates recorded in country/village locations, however, has decreased in recent years from 49% in 29 to 41% in 211, a similar rate to that recorded in 25. The average pitch occupancy rate for seaside areas has shown the most variation over the years with a rate of 29% in 21 and a peak of 43% in 29. The 211 rate of 34% is equal to that recorded in 25. 9 P a g e
Figure 5 Caravan & Camping Park trends in pitch occupancy by tariff (seasonal averages, %) 45 49 49 28 2 1 1-14.99 15-17.99 18-18.99 2+ For the purposes of this survey, the tariff is defined as the average charge per pitch per night for a car and two people. It should be noted that due to a change in the tariff bands reported in 211, there are no comparative figures for previous years shown. Due to the small number of parks in the sample with a tariff of less than 1, these results have not been presented. As shown above, there was a correlation between tariff and pitch occupancy rates. Sites charging 18-18.99 and those charging 2 or more both recorded seasonal average pitch occupancy rates of 49% in 211 compared to 28% amongst those charging between 1 and 14.99. 1 P a g e
Figure 6 Caravan & Camping Park trends in pitch occupancy by grading (seasonal averages, %) 7 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 21 211 54 54 55 52 49 49 46 44 44 41 42 42 39 38 3938 34 32 3435 33 33 32 32 24 25 25 56 52 52 52 4243 4345 46 45 45 424343 43 3638 3435 2 1 Not graded 3 star 4 star 5 star All graded Occupancy rates for parks were also analysed according to their membership of VisitScotland s Grading scheme. Due to the small number of parks in the sample graded with one or two stars, these figures are not presented. Amongst sites with a star grading, those with 5 stars recorded the highest seasonal average pitch occupancy rate in 211, which, at 56%, is four percentage points higher than the 21 seasonal average of 52% and six percentage points higher than that recorded in 29 (%). 4 star graded sites recorded a slight decrease of two percentage points in 211 (to 42%), while those with a three star grading recorded a decrease of thirteen percentage points to 25%, the lowest seasonal average for this grading category since 22 (39%). In previous years, non-graded properties have recorded noticeably higher occupancy levels than graded sites following an increase of seventeen percentage points between 24 and 25. However, in 211, the non-graded annual average pitch occupancy rate is just one percentage point higher than the graded rate (44% and 43% respectively). 11 P a g e
Caravan & Camping Park Summary Caravan and camping parks had a difficult year in 211. Overall and for a number of individual months, occupancy rates were lower than in previous years, although a positive start was recorded in April. In 211, the overall seasonal pitch occupancy rate for caravans and camping parks was the lowest recorded since 25 and four percentage points lower than in 21. This was impacted by a decrease in the seasonal average tent occupancy rate, which fell by nine percentage points compared to a two percentage point decrease for caravan sites. 211 began positively, however, with a monthly average pitch occupancy rate of % in April. This is the highest average pitch occupancy rate recorded for this month since 21 and a seven percentage point increase on the 21 rate for this month. As with other accommodation sectors, the combination of the Easter holiday period and an additional Bank Holiday for the Royal Wedding had a positive impact on occupancy during this month. When analysed by size, mid-sized sites of between and 99 pitches recorded the highest seasonal average pitch occupancy rate in 211 of 48%. However, this was a decrease of four percentage points on the 21 rate of 52% and equal to that recorded in 25. Over the years, sites with 49 pitches or fewer have shown the greatest variation in their seasonal average pitch occupancy rates, particularly since 28. When analysed by location, country/village and seaside areas have both seen decreases over the past three years in their seasonal average occupancy rates. However, those in small town areas have recorded increases over this period of time (from 51% to 55%), having been steady at 49% between 25 and 28. Amongst those in the VisitScotland grading scheme, there was a correlation between the average pitch occupancy rate and the level of grading, with 5 star sites recording the highest annual average pitch occupancy rate in 211. While non-graded parks have in recent years recorded higher annual average pitch occupancy rates compared to graded ones, there was just one percentage point difference between these two rates in 211. 12 P a g e
Appendix 1 Caravan & Camping Parks pitch occupancy by former ATB area (%) 7 37 48 38 47 42 43 2 1 Grampian Tayside Edinburgh & East Central Glasgow & West Central South of Scotland Highlands & Islands Total Scotland 13 P a g e