The UK camps it up this Summer - 15 August 2007
Holidaymakers opt for the great outdoors reports Yell.comDespite the terrible weather this summer, outdoor activities are a top choice for UK holidaymakers, according to new data from Yell.com, the UK's local search engine. Yell.com's experts analysed holiday-themed enquiries to reveal how searches for 'camping' and 'caravanning' have increased by 13 per cent in the last year (1). Further analysis of the activities holidaymakers are searching for showed that camping-related terms (e.g. tents, Calor gas), outdoor pursuits and pubs also came in the top five.
Camping Capitals
The study also identified the most popular places to experience the great outdoors. Hampshire may well be renamed 'Campshire', as it tops the chart of destinations where holidaymakers are searching for camping and caravanning-related terms this summer. The West Country also ranked highly, with both Bristol and Dorset making it into the top five.
Most popular camping destinations
1. Hampshire
2. Glasgow
3. Bristol
4. Essex
5. Dorset
6. Lancashire
7. Nottingham
8. Birmingham
9. Edinburgh
10. Manchester
Who's at the Campsites?
The trend for the simple life is most pronounced among city dwellers – with those looking for an outdoor break in the UK coming mostly from the UK's major cities.
But it's not all outdoor activity, one of our favourite pastimes to pursue before bedding down for a night under the canvas is finding a traditional British pub.
Alicia Andrews, head of Yell.com, said: "Our site data clearly shows camping is more popular than ever and it would seem that the desire for an outdoor life is gripping the UK's population. With more than two million business listings on Yell.com, would-be campers can find everything they need to plan their trips, and also find local shops and services on the move by using our mobile service."
The Camping and Caravanning Club, which has provided sites, information and services to camping, caravanning and motorhome fans for more than 100 years said of the report: “We have seen a big rise in interest over the past twelve months - the pressures of modern living seem to be giving people a thirst for the great outdoors. Camping and Caravanning Club Sites around the country have been packed with visitors this year.”
Top UK Campers
1. London
2. Sheffield
3. Manchester
4. Birmingham
5. Milton Keynes
6. Edinburgh
7. Brighton
8. Reading
9. Cambridge
10. Oxford
(1) Yell.com analysts monitored searches for holiday-related searches over the past 12 months (June 2006- May 2007) noting annual increases and decreases in search volumes. Analysts also monitored the top 50 terms searched for in the same session where a user has also searched for a holiday type term.
(2) List taken from camping and caravanning-related searches that also included location preferences.
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