Stay at home Britain

Recent research has revealed that almost half the population of Britain (48%) are seriously considering a UK holiday this year – and more than three-quarters (79%) of those who took their main holiday in the UK last year are likely to return again in 2011. Britain is increasingly being favoured by those in professional occupations, with 41% of respondents saying that the ‘staycation’ has increased its appeal, mentioning better accommodation, restaurants and service (source Travel Weekly 23/3/11).

Haven Holidays have confirmed that current sales for the forthcoming season support this research.

Bookings for their self-catering holidays are 5% ahead of last year with touring holidays (using customers’ own tent, caravan or motorhome) seeing an even more substantial increase with sales 10% ahead of 2010.

What is even more satisfying for the brand is the level of repeat business, with more than 60% of bookings for this year from customers who have previously enjoyed a holiday with Haven.

Tim Gibson, Director of Haven Holidays said, ‘Our continued investment in our parks, facilities, accommodation and service ensures a high level of customer retention. This winter we have invested around £55million across our 35 holiday parks, including £27million on new caravan accommodation, new safari tents and new environmentally friendly holiday homes. We have also spent around £6million on making our water based venues even more fun and attractive for families. Our goal is to listen to our guests, act on their feedback, continually re-evaluate the product we offer and in doing so, exceed guest expectations. We act to keep the holiday experience fresh whilst retaining all the elements that families love and enjoy.

‘We appeal to different people for different reasons,’ continued Tim. ‘For some families it’s the activities, Kids’ Clubs , excellent facilities and full programme of daytime and evening entertainment – others simply love our seaside locations and easy access to wonderful beaches, countryside, heritage, visitor attractions and resorts. But all value the quality time they get to spend together as a family on holiday with us – something that has become quite a rarity in day to day life.’

As the UK’s largest domestic holiday operator, Haven anticipate welcoming around 600,000 families to their 35 Parks this year – or 2.5million at holidaymakers throughout the season. One million British children are expected to enjoy the Haven experience!

And Haven’s own research has also shown an increase in the number of families from urban conurbations booking a seaside break. ‘It’s the perfect escape from city life,’ said Tim. ‘People have been enjoying holidays by the coast since the 18th Century and all indications are that this will continue. We have a wide spread of locations that make our Parks very accessible and we’re glad to see British families’ love of the seaside is undiminished.’

Prices for a break with Haven Holidays range from as little as £129 for a three or four night Spring break for a family of up to six people up to £1455 for a week in a top of the range Platinum holiday home at a five star park in the Summer. For more information click on www.haven.com or call 0871 230 1900.

31st March 2011

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Haven Holidays’ Mission Statement

"Provide at our holiday resorts services and products which enable the maximum number of families to enjoy a holiday or holiday home ownership, in a safe, secure and appealing environment.

Identify and develop new services, facilities and locations to maintain and improve the attractions of our holiday resorts."

Lead its employees towards excellence, recognise achievement and provide opportunities to develop their careers.

Maintain the integrity of the company and its brands.

Thus:
Growing the profit of the company year by year to benefit:

The guests with an experience they value
The environment using only those resources appropriate to our task
The employees with a fulfilling job
The shareholders and bankers with a sustainable and secure return, commensurate with the risk on their investment

Own your own holiday home for less than £8000!

If you’re tempted by holiday home ownership but still haven’t taken the plunge, Haven have come up with an offer that will let you dip your toes in the water without breaking the bank.

This season they are offering new Owners the chance to buy their own caravan holiday home from less than £8000.

Haven are one of the biggest providers of affordable holiday homes in the country with around 24,000 Owners enjoying regular and extended breaks at their parks.

Already this year they have reported a ‘significant’ increase in enquiries from people interested in having a “bolthole by the sea” compared to the same period in 2010. Factors believed to have boosted the interest in UK breaks are the high price of fuel and fears of possible flight disruption for holidays abroad.

A spokesperson for Haven said, “We’ve experienced an unprecedented interest in purchasing caravan holiday homes with enquiries up by more than 55% compared to the same period in 2010. We want to meet the needs of new customers with an affordable introductory offer which will allow people to experience the benefits of holiday home ownership without it breaking the bank.’

Haven offer a wide choice of locations all around the UK and a great social life combined with the satisfaction of owning your very own home from home. Most Owners live within easy driving distance of their chosen park and make regular use of their holiday home during the season.

Owners have access to exclusive facilities, lounges, gyms and even spas and swimming pools on some parks – as well as regular social events and activities at no extra cost.

The introductory offer to buy a comfortable, well-cared for pre-owned home offers all the benefits of holiday home ownership and starts from just £7995. And there’s plenty of choice available for holiday homes sleeping up to six people with two or three bedrooms, a well-equipped kitchen/dining area and comfortable wrap-around lounge furniture.

Available at a choice of 32 Haven parks around the UK, prices may vary depending on style and location. Holiday homes on offer include a two bedroom Atlas Mirage at Golden Sands, near Mablethorpe in Lincolnshire at £7995; a Willerby Vacation at £10,995 at Primrose Valley on the North Yorkshire Coast; an Atlas Sahara at The Orchards near St Osyth in Essex at £10,995 and a BK Savannah at Devon Cliffs near Exmouth for £11995.

Click on www.ukholidayhomesales.co.uk for details and to arrange a viewing. You will need to budget for site fees, insurance and running costs.

29th March 2011

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Give in to temptation!

If you’re finding the temptation of sunshine and mild weather hard to resist, the offer of a four day break by the sea from only £99 might well be enough to make you pack your bags and head for the coast.

Haven Holidays have Spring deals available at a number of parks from just £99 in two-bedroom self-catering ‘Superior’ holiday homes.

Whilst the parks are ideal for families (and their holiday homes will comfortably sleep a family of up to six people) their superb locations make them the perfect base for couples, with excellent walking, fishing lakes, golf courses and easy access to visitor attractions, resorts and British heritage.

Haven’s Devon Cliffs, near Exmouth in South Devon sits on the Westerly end of the World Heritage Jurassic coastline. Enjoy spectacular walking and book yourself into the parks’ first class Spa to ease your aching muscles at the end of the day.

Kiln Park, is just a stroll from the popular Welsh resort of Tenby and is within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Haven employ a full time Park Ranger who will take little ones on nature walks around the holiday park and lead guided walks through the National Park and along the coast as well.

In Cornwall, Riviere Sands has stunning views across the Hayle Estuary to St Ives and has direct access to the 630 miles of the South West Coast Path. And further along the coast path Haven’s Perran Sands forms part of Cornwall’s largest sand dune system – it’s a popular park with surfers as well as walkers.

Or head to Allhallows on the Thames Estuary which recently opened up the closest beach to London. It’s a superb spot for bird-watching and offers golf and horse-riding too.

Prices start at just £99 for a four night break based on 4 nights at Allhallows arriving May 9th. Three nights at Kiln Park from 8th April costs from £139 and Easter deals are still available from £159 for a family of up to six people at Riviere Sands. Click on www.haven.com or call 0871 230 1900.

And if the Spring sunshine has encouraged you to dust off your tent, caravan or motorhome then you can nab an even bigger early season bargain. Pitches at Kiln Park start at as little as £11 per night based on a four night stay arriving 9th May. Click on www.haventouring.com or call 0871 230 1933.

28th March 2011

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Sharron Davies opens new super-sized pool at Caister Holiday Park

Sports and TV personality Sharron Davies will feel at home when she opens a new super-sized swimming pool at Haven’s Caister Holiday Park.

At 33 metres, the stunning new £1.1 million indoor pool with breathtaking glass roof is more than 30% longer than most swimming pools - so there’s plenty of opportunity for the serious swimmer, or young racers, to develop their full stroke.

The investment is part of a major upgrade for the 21st century in facilities at what is the site of Britain’s oldest holiday camp going back 105 years.

In another exciting development, a sandy beach area is being created next to the pool. Plans are already underway to create additional elements such as a giant flume which will be added to the indoor pool – and it is hoped to build an additional outdoor pool.

Sharron Davies will be cutting the ribbon at Caister’s new pool on Saturday April 9th (3pm) as part of an afternoon of entertainment including a display by a local synchronised swimmers group and Water Walkerz races.

General Manager Mark Collymore said: “Water fun is a key part of any Haven holiday and we lead the way in the number of fantastic water activities we offer including AquaJets, Turbo Paddlers, fun inflatables and Water Walkerz.

“Our stunning new pool means holidaymakers and owners of holiday homes on our park will have even more room to enjoy the activities or simply relax and chill out – especially on the nearby beach area we’ve created.”

Building the new pool involved removing the old Bull and Bush entertainment venue and plans are also being considered for a major upgrade of the historic Neptunes entertainment venue where many famous names such as Tommy Cooper, Eric and Ernie and Des O’Connor trod the boards.

Mr Collymore added: “Caister Holiday Park is doing better than ever with bookings up 16% year on year. It’s a case of 105 years-old and still going strong – which is proof if anyone needed it that seaside holidays are as popular as ever. And with Haven’s commitment to investment and improving facilities, there’s no better place to enjoy a lovely beach holiday than Caister Holiday Park.”

Easter holidays with Haven are available from just £179 for a family of up to six sharing Standard self-catering accommodation, including free access to dozens of leisure and sports activities, a full entertainment programme and stunning countryside or seaside locations. For more information visit www.haven.com or call 0871 230 1900

Ends

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