2021 already proving the year of the motorhome

2021 already proving the year of the motorhome

Sales in motorhomes are surging as UK residents prepare to embrace staycations in 2021, a leading industry figure has revealed.

Ross Edwards, managing director at specialist luxury motorhome dealer Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld, said sales in January – which were completed either online or over the phone – had hit near record levels, despite the company’s showroom in Staffordshire being closed to customers.

With deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam this week predicting the more “elaborate” summer holiday plans are the ones most at risk of being cancelled, Britons are increasingly turning their attention to domestic options.

Travelworld – which exclusively sells German brands – has reported a dramatic rise in the number of first-time buyers of motorhomes and a younger demographic moving into the market.

Ross said: “We sold 38 motorhomes in January without being able to open our doors to customers, which is quite incredible. February, too, has started buoyantly.

“Other than in 2017 when we sold 42 but had very favourable trading conditions, this year’s figure is far in excess of what we would expect to sell in the first month of a new year. It is 15 per cent higher than in January 2020 when we were trading normally.

“The demand has been astonishing and it shows no signs of slowing down.  It’s a clear sign that we are looking at a real boom in staycations, potentially for many years to come.

“With the issues with travelling abroad, which could be in place for some time, people are clearly looking at domestic holidays and, for many, the idea of having their own motorhome to embark on new adventures and create memories is extremely appealing.

“We are seeing a much younger audience buying motorhomes and camper vans. They probably had a long-term interest in purchasing a motorhome, but the events of the last 12 months have accelerated their buying process, possibly by as much as 10 or 20 years.”

Ross believes the pandemic could have notable long-term benefits for the tourism and leisure industry across the UK.

He added: “It’s clear that an audience which has traditionally gone abroad regularly for holidays is now looking closer to home and seeing a huge potential for staycations. It could provide a real boost for our UK tourism industry.

“When they investigate, people are pleasantly surprised by the quality and quantity of the UK’s attractions and beauty spots and they are excited to travel to different destinations when the regulations allow. There is no better way to do that than in a motorhome.”

Ross said the booming sales in motorhomes could also be attributed in part to the fact many people have more savings as they have had little to spend their disposable income on for almost 12 months.

With the showroom doors closed, Travelworld has been selling its motorhomes remotely using virtual tours.

Travelworld has been serving the motorhome industry for more than 40 years selling new motorhomes and has a purpose-built, state-of-the-art showroom located just off junction 14 of the M6. If you would like to explore our collection of 2021 motorhomes, then get in touch.