News

The UK’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 2.3 per cent in April according to the country’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) – the largest growth it has seen since July 2020. The encouraging news is largely down to the steady relaxing of coronavirus restrictions in the country, as well as the re-opening of many non-essential shops and service providers. Even more encouragingly for the camping industry, is that the sales of caravans and an increase in bookings at campsites and caravan parks have made a large contribution to this economic growth.

“Strong growth in retail spending and increased car and caravan purchases,” made a significant difference to April’s GDP figures in the UK, according to Jonathan Athow, ONS deputy national statistician for economic statistics.

The latest figures also show that accommodation service activities grew by 68.8 per cent in April, with caravan parks and holiday lets at the epicentre of that growth. Domestic travel and tourism has seen a huge surge in interest in the UK, like in many other countries, with international travel still uncertain and difficult. 

Economy experts say that this growth, while promising, is likely to be evened out by the many tough months endured by the UK economy during the worst of the pandemic.