The boom in ‘staycationing’ and recreational and leisure vehicle ownership has given the West Midlands Caravan and Motorhome Show a major boost.

The nine-day show, which opened at award-winning Shrewsbury dealership Salop Leisure last Saturday, is on target to attract around 15,000 visitors.

Attendance last weekend was 6,500,12 per cent up on last year’s show and sales of recreational and leisure vehicles are up 20 per cent, which reflects the nationwide boom.

Managing director Mark Bebb revealed that the company’s turnover for 22 per cent up on this time last year and he expects the trend to continue with more British people opting to ‘staycation’ rather than holiday abroad.

He believes current problems with airline companies Monarch and Ryanair underline the risks involved in booking flights to holiday destinations overseas and he predicted a significant increase in the future cost of air travel. 

The falling value of Sterling against other currencies has also made holidays to the UK cheaper for international visitors, which has boosted the tourism industry. 

Salop Leisure has recently opened Love2Stay, a £5.5 million touring and glamping resort in Shrewsbury, targeted at people who are focused on wellness and quality leisure time.

The company continues to develop the market for luxury lodges to provide year round holidays for the growing number of ‘staycationers’.

A recent survey undertaken by Barclays Business revealed that 75 per cent of adults in the UK have either been on or are planning a ‘staycation’, with Wales the most popular destination. Nearly one in 10 adults were influenced by the falling value of the pound, which made foreign holidays more expensive.

For those who enjoy the thrill of getting away anytime and to anywhere they please, the company has added the famous American brand Airstream to its extensive stock of recreational and leisure vehicles. Salop Leisure is one of six UK dealerships selected by Swift Group to sell Airstream models. 

Figures released by the NCC (National Caravan Council) in August revealed a boom in recreational and leisure vehicle ownership. The total number of new motorhome registrations in the year to the end of June was up by 14% to 13,162, new caravan holiday homes and lodges were up by nine per cent to 21,214 and touring caravans were up by seven per cent to 22,185.

The West Midlands Caravan and Motorhome Show, which closes on Sunday, October 8, gives the public a chance to see the latest innovations for 2018 with the launch of exciting new models.

The popular annual show, which is free to enter, features around 150 new models and aims to be a one stop shop for existing owners and first-time buyers. 

Salop Leisure also helps buyers to find their ideal park location for their purchase in the Heart of England, inland Mid Wales or the Mid Wales Coast. Park representatives will be on hand at the show to provide information.

Admission to the show and parking are free and tickets are available to download at www.caravanevent.co.uk.