Caravanners could see their jaunts limited by the rising fuel prices as towing becomes more and more expensive.
While caravan sales have been boosted by more people choosing to holiday at home, prices at the pump make it likely that fans of the mobile homes might be less adventurous in their destinations.
One such caravanner is Frank Hailstones, of Cardenden, secretary of the Fife and Tayside Centre of the Scottish Caravan Club. While he has previously spent holidays in the north of Scotland and south of England, retired Frank (62) does not expect to take his caravan further afield than Oban this year.
As we continue to campaign for fairer fuel, he told us, “We won’t be travelling as far as maybe we would like. We might stay more local rather than travelling right up north.”
While Frank estimates he normally gets 35 miles to the gallon in his car, he reckons that drops to 30 when he is towing.
He said, “It all adds up if you are going a few miles.”
A positive side-effect, however, might be that more caravanners will join the caravan club’s rallies. Rates are cheaper for rallies and people can enjoy social gatherings at sites close to home, including many in St Andrews and the East Neuk of Fife.
The last time fuel costs rocketed, Blair Atholl Caravan Park in Perthshire saw a 10% drop in touring caravan numbers and it’s feared a similar pattern could emerge this season.
Although it is too early to say if the pump prices have affected bookings the current trickle wouldn’t be expected to become a flood until next month a watchful eye is being kept on the situation by head of visitor services Scott McCauley.
“There is no doubt that two years ago when the petrol went up it did have an effect, and in 2009 when it went down again things picked up,” he said.
“So if it stays very high, and it’s likely to because of economic circumstances, it could happen again.
“Pulling a caravan will use about a third more petrol than a normal journey so it adds about 30 percent onto the price of petrol. In 2008 people were saying rather than go off four or five times a year, it was two or three times, and with the prices as they are, it may be that way again.
“A lot of business is weather-dependent and if the weather is good, we should get people out. If they stay away then we’ll know the petrol price is having a real effect.
“There are no early signs of it and until we get into the main season at Easter time, we won’t know what the situation is.”
Blair Atholl has over 200 touring pitches, attracting visitors from throughout Britain and across the Continent. It has also ensured it has a number of static caravans and chalets to help weather any drop-off in tourers.
Mr McCauley backed The Courier’s calls for a fuel regulator, stating the business’s rural location makes it essential people can afford to fill their tanks.
“What we don’t want to do is add to the air of doom and gloom just as things are picking up again. Anything that can bring the price of fuel down is the name of the game for us.
“Where we are situated, people have to travel and the cost is a consideration, and anything that helps is something we’d be happy with.
“We had a pretty good year last year and other parts of the business like the castle and function hire really picked up, but the petrol prices are always going to be a concern.”
Photo courtesy of Flickr user zigazou76If you want to support the Courier’s call for a fuel duty regulator, click here to add your name to our petition.