• Advert views for top end caravans and motorhomes costing between £50,001-£100,000 have increased 156% YoY
• 71% of Brits who are thinking about taking a winter holiday this year would consider a luxury caravan or motorhome holiday
• 18-44 year olds are driving the demand for these types of holidays
• The trend is thought to be partially inspired by celebrity caravanners like Gwyneth Paltrow, Coleen Rooney, Jamie Oliver and Chris and Rosie Ramsey

A NEW trend for glampervanning is on the rise this winter as Brits look for inventive ways to staycation with loved ones during the colder months of COVID-19 – and it is being driven by a surprising demographic.

A survey of 2,000 UK adults, commissioned by Auto Trader, the UK’s largest digital automotive marketplace, has revealed that 71% of Brits who are thinking about taking a holiday this winter would consider staying in a luxury caravan or motorhome.

The data also reveals a 156% year on year rise in advert views for top end models – motorhomes and caravans costing between £50,001-£100,000 – that have more advanced technology and features.

Caravan and motorhome holidays are proving to be good options for holidaymakers amidst the ongoing pandemic.

Those in tier 2 and lower will be attracted by the option of being able to social distance from loved ones from different households in separate caravans parked next to each other, while still being able to enjoy time together outdoors.

Surprisingly, of those who are considering a holiday this winter, it is the younger generations – adults aged 18-44 – who are most likely to consider a caravan or motorhome holiday (95%) with almost 1 in 3 of these (32%) saying they would be willing to spend more than £1,000 to rent a luxury caravan or motorhome for a holiday this winter.

Nearly 1 in 5 of this group (18%) agree that taking a trip in a caravan or motorhome would be a great way to have a holiday whilst adhering to lockdown restrictions and more than 1 in 10 (13%) say it would be safer than a hotel or Airbnb this year.

However, gone are the days of trying to keep warm in a beat up, poorly-insulated old caravan or motorhome – the younger generation is all about ‘glampervanning’ this winter and has a list of requirements that need to be met before they will consider this kind of trip.

Topping the list of must-haves is a Smart TV with integrated Netflix, followed by a full cooking suite and a spacious sofa for relaxing.

High-speed in-built Wi-Fi was the fourth most important feature and completing the top five was a decent pressure shower. More than 1 in 10 (13%) even said they would love an onboard jacuzzi bath to allow them to truly relax.

The trend for luxury caravan and motorhome stays, which has already been taken up by an array of well-known celebs including Gwyneth Paltrow, Coleen Rooney, Jamie Oliver and Chris and Rosie Ramsay, is also thought to be driving demand for part-exchanging as owners look for cost-effective ways of upgrading their vehicles for more advanced models to see them through the pandemic this winter.

The survey was commissioned following reports from Auto Trader which reveal a staggering 94% increase in advert views for caravans and motorhomes in September 2020, compared to the previous year.

Auto Trader’s Editorial Director, Erin Baker comments: “Staycations are set to remain popular for some time as coronavirus shows little sign of slowing in the UK. Christmas in particular is likely to see a surge in the popularity of caravan and motorhome holidays as people look for inventive ways to spend time with loved ones, whilst still adhering to COVID-19 restrictions.

“However, the rusty caravan from people’s childhood trips isn’t cutting it anymore. The new generation of caravanners we are seeing want all mod cons. They’re following in the footsteps of popular celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Jamie Oliver and are looking for bigger vehicles with the latest tech, to provide all the entertainment and convenience that they have at home.”

Auto Trader is advising caravan and motorhome owners who are looking to upgrade their existing models to part-exchange their old vehicles, to help cover the cost of a new model whilst avoiding higher demand and potentially steeper rates ahead of peak buying season in Spring.