Happy Children on CMC sites
Comments
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We've never used St Davids so I'm not sure how family friendly it's designed to be. We've only booked 2 club sites so far this year and I wouldn't say either of them were particularly cut out to attract families with children. But where there have been children on site they've been well behaved and normally with their parents. (Admittedly we don't tend to use many large club sites in "popular" holiday areas!)
It suits us, because we don't take children with us, but it does strike me that the club needs to do more to attract families - by which I mean provide more attractive facilities for them, not necessarily extending "kids for £1" offers etc.
More and more families are choosing to holiday at home these days; sales of caravans and MHs are on the up aren't they? To my mind, that's where the real future of the club can be secured for generations to come, not just while us old fogies remain fitand active enough!!
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Sales of caravans are actually flat or falling. Sales of motorhomes are increasing.
Families tend to use caravans, couples tend to use motorhomes (yes, there are exceptions to everything, but in general terms).
So where does this tell you that the CAMC's target audience should be?
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interesting point Ian, is that your view based of course on the times you have recently been on sites during school holidays, or just when you go to sites which as you have stated is always out of school holidays? or do you have any data from somewhere to actually back this up, you know, to sort of academically proves your point?
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I know yet it is so easy to do a bit of homework. I've just looked at the NCC statistics:
http://www.thencc.org.uk/Our_Industry/statistics.aspx
And its states :
In the UK, it is estimated that there are in current use:
550,000 touring caravans
330,000 caravan holiday homes
more than 205,000 motorhomesSo even if Ian's theory was true there are more than twice as many caravans as motorhomes. so if, as he says families tend to use caravans rather than motorhomes ( Which when I've been on site is a total fallacy) then the club's target audience should be families.
Also not too sure (being polite) about the caravan sales falling flat? Last figures I could find shows a 7.1% increase in sales from 2015 to 2016.
According to latest figures from the National Caravan Council, the production of Touring Caravans intended for UK distribution was 0.7% up at the end of 2015 compared to 2014, and 7.1% up in January 2016
perhaps Ian will post some data to prove his point?
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I got my information directly from the CAMC, at a meeting there recently.
They also say that many of the caravans in existence are rarely (if ever) used. This was one of the factors driving the reason to add Motorhomes into the Club's title.
But maybe you know more than them and they are wrong?
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so ask again, which meeting was this Ian and when?
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Not wishing to get involved with the squabbles on here, but why Is it that every forum I am on always has posters who throw out figures/statements as facts but will never answer direct questions about them, but will only skirt around the question?
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That's because 95% of the statistics quoted on the Internet are made up.
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Not sure if that comment is aimed at me or not, Phil but I was just quoting some information given by the Club.
If you were to ask them, they might well provide you with the same information. Whether you then believe it or not is your prerogative, of course.
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so Ian where and when was this meeting of the CAMC that you attended where you got this information? It's a shame I missed it, was it advertised somewhere?
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Anyway back on track, it is very good and refreshing to read the OP post. I've never had any problems with children on site but the answer for those that don't like children on site is so very simple, keep off school holidays, that does leave you 38 or 39 weeks of the year
or use non club adult only sites. and don't try and change the inclusive nature of the club to suit you?7 -
Any chance of giving the rest of us your source of information and where this meeting was held (or is it your secret again) so that the rest of CT can get the same information (it must be available)if it was "advised" to you like us an ordinary member
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So you're saying that families, or indeed pensioners as you put it, on club sites stay on site all the time?
Also if you've hardly stayed on club sites, how do you know this?
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For anyone who would like to ask the CAMC about the figures I was given or doubts the veracity of the information, I believe their contact details are available on this web site.
The point is that caravan numbers are static or reducing, motorhomes are increasing. The target audience of the Club should therefore be the older generation i.e. here the growing numbers of potential customers are to be found.
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We're not doubting your good word, just wondering what meeting it was that you say you got this information from and where was it.
Can't understand why you don't want/can't give this out Ian?
It appear strange that the club would contradict the data from the NCC?
Also I really can't see the logic in saying that there is a growing number of potential customers from a set of people with a shorter life expectancy than younger members? Who will fill the pitches once we've all gone to that great club site in the sky? The younger set, having been put off by those that don't like children, won't be so tempted to come to club sites, or indeed won't have any experience of club sites will they to attract them in the same way that we did?
Anyway please try and stick to the topic in hand, which is praising happy children on site.
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My post was about the CC site, with child discounts, a new play area ,close to a safe beach but almost devoid of children during a school holiday week. Immediately adjacent was a commercial site but with lots of children. Why such a difference. Is commercial cheaper ( doubt it).Is the commercial friendlier? Is it Cc thought to be too fuddy duddy or the preserve of the OAP? Something is putting families off.
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As a recent convert to caravanning, who hasn't even been away yet, my opinion may not count for much, but could the lack of families on site be due to the 'personal pitch syndrome'. Reading several reviews I have often come across the complaint of 'people taking short cuts past my caravan' etc. The invasion of personal space seemed to be uppermost in their minds and others who replied to their posts.
As a previous narrowboater on the canals, we often had families walking along the towpath peering in through the windows to see what it was like inside and even climbing onto the deck to see if the boat rocked when it was tied-up. We got used to it and sometimes even had a good laugh.
When visiting my son on a commercial site last year, tents and caravans appeared to be pitched and parked in no special order, kids running about and playing together didn't seem a problem.
Maybe Club site are becoming to regimented.
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Some sites lend themselves to be more attractive to families and some do not. Just find the ones which suit you! Now to in effect 'ban' children (and their accompanying adult members) from some sites would be as wrong as banning child free visitors from others. No to adult only club sites, inclusivity of all is paramount in my opinion and thankfully that is how the club will continue I am sure.
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You maybe a recent convert to Caravanning.
But you have correctly identified what I term. My caravan is my bunker syndrome that seems to be prevalent amongst some members here.
Me I am more in the We are all in a field and s***ting into a bucket camp.
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absolutely agree.
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or any data to prove any of the "posts or comments" from that direction
