Keycamp Holidays busts the credit crunch

With the papers full of talk of holiday cancellations as consumers tighten their belts, one sector of the holiday industry that is bucking the trend is European mobile home holidays. According to self-catering holiday specialist Keycamp, sales for their style of holiday are buoyant for summer 2008.

With many prices up to 20% lower than last year, canny consumers have worked out that this style of holiday means they can stretch the budget to include a family holiday abroad this summer.

Marketing manager Dave McKenna explains: “A mobile home break is not only a very family-friendly type of holiday, but also one of the most flexible in terms of pricing. In comparison with a package holiday, consumers have many options, which means they can fit their holiday to this year’s budget without too much compromise.”

“With a menu style pricing, it is possible to find a holiday combination that suits their wallet. They can select lower cost travel options such as Dover-Calais crossings, which are included in the price of the holiday; and choose between accommodation types, which range from luxury tents to lavish mobile homes.”

For a family of four taking a holiday at the end of July 2008:-

Seven nights in Picardy, France costs £710 (saving £340) for a Villanova mobile home with decking including Dover-Calais ferry crossings.

Seven nights in Vendée, France costs £877 (saving £340) for a Supernova mobile home including Portsmouth-Caen ferry crossings.

Seven nights in Catalonia, Spain costs £776 (saving £255) for a chalet sleeping up to five with flights available at a supplement.

For families who see a holiday as a necessity not a luxury, a time to unwind and spend time together, Keycamp has devised the following credit crunch busting tips to make the most of the holiday budgets:

1. Try to travel at either the beginning or end of the school holidays rather than at the height of August. Keycamp is currently offering seven nights from 19 July at Chateau de Drancourt at St Valery in Picardy in a Villagrand mobile home for £768. A saving of 40%. Ferry crossings are available at a supplement.

2. Book entry to local attractions before you go away as online discounts often make it cheaper than paying on the door. For example, Keycamp is able to offer a one day/ two park hopper for Disneyland Paris for £35 per adult and £30 per child, a saving of up to 15%.

3. Think carefully about where and how you travel. Choose somewhere nearby like Northern France and you could cut your travel expenses considerably – Keycamp includes a Dover-Calais ferry crossing as standard, while the short drive reduces the cost of fuel. Alternatively opt for somewhere like Croatia or Slovenia where the living costs are far cheaper.

4. Hire bikes while you’re away so you can sight see on two wheels not four.

5. Be inspired by the wonderful local produce and try barbecuing rather than eating out every night. Not only will it save you pennies, but it also means you get to enjoy foods that you would rarely try at home.

6. Buy ice creams for the kids at the supermarket and keep in the freezer – you’ll save on poolside and attraction prices.

7. Stick to the local plonk rather than opting for imported alcohol that you could easily buy at home. And remember to leave some room in the boot so that you can take a couple of cases back with you.

8. Fuel is often cheaper across the channel so make sure you fill the tank before you return.

For further information or to book, visit Keycamp.co.uk.