PARKDEAN REPORTS 99.3% EASTER OCCUPANCY AS ‘STAYCATION’ FEVER HITS THE UK

Parkdean reports a 99.3% occupancy rate at Easter
Retail spend on food and drink considerably ahead of 2008
Forward bookings remain 13% ahead of 2008

Parkdean Holidays’ £47 million investment in its 24-strong UK holiday park business since 2006 is paying dividends as it reports a 99.3% occupancy rate over the 17 days covering the Easter holiday period.

The Newcastle based business - which has parks in Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, Wales and Scotland - achieved record occupancy across its portfolio of 3,340 luxury caravans and lodges.

Despite the credit crunch, average visitor spend this Easter rose above the same period in 2008 with Parkdean’s food sales increasing by 21% and bar sales by 6%.

‘Staycation’ fever shows no sign of abating with Parkdean Holidays’ advance bookings over the last month up 13% on 2008.

Parkdean Holidays’ Devon park bookings are up 8%, Scotland 9% and Dorset by 5%. The star performer across the entire business, on the back of a recent £5.5 million investment, has been Trecco Bay in South Wales, where forward bookings are 46% up on 2008. Parkdean is responding by expanding its hire fleet to cater for this increased demand.

“Easter was a very strong period for Parkdean Holidays, with all sites virtually full and visitors spending more money while they were with us. Forward bookings are already ahead of 2008 and our website visitors have risen by 35% as more families have decided to book their summer holiday in the UK,” explained John Waterworth, Chief Executive of Parkdean Holidays.

“We have invested a great deal of money in our business over the past three years and it has come just at the right time. The average age of our caravans is just four years and the majority of our retail facilities such as restaurants, pools and entertainment venues have undergone major improvements.

“As with other UK operators we’ve got to ensure that all visitors, including those that are staying in the UK for the first time for many years, enjoy the experience at Parkdean Holidays, so they want to return year after year,” he added.

0 Comments