21st Century Family Holiday Parks

With the global credit crunch continuing to limit our holiday options year on year, it’s no wonder that we are starting to ask more of the traditional UK family holiday parks. Where once we were content with a bit of dancing and entertainment for the kids, a pool to splash about in and a location that meant the freedom of cheap days out, we are now starting to demand more! So what do 21st century family holiday parks have to do to keep us coming back?

  • Sadly, most of us are either tied to the workplace via computer even when we are on holiday, or the kids are tied to their whole social network by the same means, so Wi-Fi is a must, from travel lodge stop-over’s to hotels and holiday parks, we are starting to expect free access to the internet as a standard amenity when we are away!

  • Whilst previously family holiday parks had a primarily child-focused approach, to also keep parents happy, they are now well aware that parents too want pampering. Big name holiday park companies such as Butlins have increased the number of their adult-related amenities considerably, for example, on-site Spa and beauty room facilities have doubled on some sites, so that the parks can pander to parental needs and cater their facilities appropriately.

  • Once upon a time, self-catering in the dinky camp kitchen was part of the fun, ditto for eating in the industrial camp canteen, for those lucky enough to be on the all inclusive option. However, shrewd camp companies know that what we want now is the indulgence of dining out, including fine dining, when we are on holiday. More holiday parks are starting to include restaurants rather than just diners and cafes on-site.

  • The holiday park companies also know that we love to let our hair down with our friends and that they are in direct competition with city-break holidays which offer extras such as theatre tickets, dinner and accommodation for an all-inclusive price. Many parks have upped their game to develop improved on-site theatre or cinema facilities, whilst almost all of the well-known holiday park companies offer themed weekends, directly targeted at younger single-sex groups out to have a good time! 60s, 70s and 80s weekends with resurrected 60s, 70s and 80s performers; Folk weekends; comedy weekend; New Year’s weekends – there’s a mini-break to suit most interests to keep the camps viable on those edge-of-season weekends, suiting us, the holidaymaker and the holiday park business too!

So there you have it, as the family holiday parks continue to evolve to respond to a demanding clientele, so this clientele is tempted to spend its money on home-based holiday fun, credit crunch or not!