Prices too high or falling interest in camping
Comments
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I posted the above on this thread in May 2024.
On our next tour we will use 9 CAMC sites, one of which is no facility and three where we have booked a service pitch. The overall cost this time is £34.43 a night.As has been mentioned price wise they are very middle of the road for the UK.
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Thank you for your response, but I think you’ve misunderstood the intent behind my comments.
I’ve stopped using Caravan and Motorhome Club (CAMC) sites because I regularly find comparable standards elsewhere for around 25% less. Bunree, for example, is a beautiful location and well run, but like many club sites, it’s become hard to justify the cost when better-value alternatives are available. That’s not just my view — it’s one I’ve heard echoed by others, including people who are more than able to afford the fees.
I remain a member only because I use the CAMC storage facilities — not because I endorse current touring site pricing.
Everyone’s entitled to their opinion — and I stand by mine: CAMC sites are among the most expensive for what they offer.
Suggesting the club should publish data on occupancy, income, and site costs isn’t unreasonable — it’s basic good practice. There is a balance point between site occupancy and pricing, and proper analysis of this data ensures that running costs are being met while also maximising site use for the benefit of members. At the same time, the club must not lose sight of the need for efficiency in all aspects of its operation. If this data isn’t being tracked, how are pricing decisions made? And if it is tracked but withheld, how are members supposed to assess value?
The idea that transparency would harm the club ignores that this is a member-focused organisation, not a commercial enterprise in competition for market dominance. If anything, openness would strengthen trust.
Saying “you pay the prices or go elsewhere” is not a defence — it’s dismissive. Members should be encouraged to raise concerns, not told to move on if they’re not happy.
Finally, regarding food vendors — yes, I’m aware some sites already have them. I mentioned it only as an example of forward planning. Whether it’s new amenities, resurfacing, or serviced pitches, the club should have a clear long-term plan in place that’s costed, communicated, and justified.
If CAMC is confident in the value it provides, transparency shouldn’t be a threat — it should be a strength.You and others are, of course, entitled to your views on this topic — as am I. Debate is a good thing. It encourages reflection, challenges assumptions, and exposes us to perspectives we might not have considered. All of that is healthy — and ultimately positive.
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"…how are members supposed to assess value"
Simple. Members know what they pay and know what they get in return. VFM is largely subjective and down to the individual to decide. Knowing actual costs per site would not change a person's overall view of whether site prices represent good value. Only knowing what they get for their £ per night decides that. As someone once said "Pricing is a minefield" and as those prices constantly vary with DP, one person's good value becomes another's poor value.
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@Hello well C a few points and I've not misunderstood anything:
Suggesting the club should publish data on occupancy, income, and site costs isn’t unreasonable — it’s basic good practice.
Could you give some examples of this basic practice from other campsites or holiday companies in the detail you appear to be asking for? But in any event you'll be happy to know this is done on a whole club basis by the club, at every AGM, it's all available online for anyone to have a look at. Check out income which went up.
how are members supposed to assess value… and Saying “you pay the prices or go elsewhere” is not a defence — it’s dismissive.
I'll put those two together as they are linked. How do members assess value, very easily. They look at the sites, the quality, standards and prices and decide on that, exactly as you have done with Bunree.
It's actually the ultimate defence, the club sells things, if people buy them then the price is right. Dismissive - lot not at all, it's how buying and selling works. I really don't get it, and you haven't answered, if club sites prices are so high to you why are people using them so much?
That’s not just my view — it’s one I’ve heard echoed by others, including people who are more than able to afford the fees.
That sentence is so interesting as it echos this one made in May 2023 by someone who appears to be of the same mind as yourself:
I've seen many a comment on CT stating that they won't (or can't afford to) use club sites and this sort of view seems to be on the increase.
As you don't use club sites as you say so I'm mildly puzzled where you hear this from. No matter of course, but that type of comment has been said before and as someone said two years ago surely the (price) bubble will burst. Well it hasn't yet.
People just use club sites which are middle of the road, I suspect they don't care about strategies and all that detail you appear to want. They just want to book a pitch at a good price. Members assess value by the price they pay on arrival, not by looking at the bigger picture I would say.
Although how does all that affects you as you are using the club for storage? As you don't use club sites so why not let market forces and the ones that do use them decide?
I thought club storage was alway more expensive and that certainly has been posted on CT a lot.
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@SteveL Yes my average last year was £38 while so far this year it's just under £40 and I use SP all the time. Reasonable, actually more than that, very good value for the quality I'm getting.
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@eurortraveller those are events, not holidays. Camping is the cheapest option for staying during the event, a la Glastonbury. We have camped at events, both in a tent and using our caravan. The event is usually part of the price.
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A >recent report< by Back British Holidays is pointing out there is a decline in domestic tourism in 2025 and government action is required to stop the decline. Will this be reflected in both Clubs' annual reports?
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Just about to go on a short break for 2 nights. The CAMC site for the next 2 nights would cost £103.60 for a serviced pitch. There is a CL with serviced pitches on hardstanding and a small toilet block that will cost £50.00 for those same 2 nights. It is less than a mile from the club site. From that perspective it really is no contest.
I fully understand that there are members that seem adverse to using CLs. Fair enough, it's their money. Personally I'm not adversed to using CAMC sites but they has to be either no alternative on a like for like basis nearby or the Club price has to be a heck of a lot closer to the alternative to make it a consideration.
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Following on from your post on the "Missing Posts" thread I have, like you @Wherenext found that it is not showing up as a new post, neither on the first page of having a bold heading. I wonder how many other posts have been " lost" or unanswered because of this glitch? Would someone please report this post, made today at 21:27 on 9th August, should they come across it!
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