Do we motorhomers really boost the economy? (2 Viewers)

[Cobweb]

As a matter of interest I just totted up our spending during our 75 day trip through Italy, Austria ,Germany and France and it came to about £3200 .This
Includes fuel as well as all our shopping as well as campsites and Aire costs.
We did use campsites a lot more than usual since we had a cycling plan which meant that we had to stay where ever we were near to paths . We did not eat out at all in Austria because most restaurants still allow smoking inside as well as outside and that was a big turnoff for us . In Germany we did not eat out a lot since because the choice of food was not great the best were Greek as well as Italian restaurants as well as the Nord See seafood chain .

 

[Reallyretired]

If the UK had a good aires network then I might be tempted to tour here more (or at all for that matter). As it is France etc gets the money I spend.

 

[ukbill]

the uk aint mh friendly so i suppose we dont add to the economy here but last time we was in spain i think we managed to drink and eat em out of recession

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[vwalan]

certainly ig going to spain best bring loads of beer and wine back . no point in buying uk expensive stuff. buy scotch cheaper there as well.
mind best have a good payload on the camper .
oh i forgot big diesel tanks as well.

 

[yorkieman]

I love keeping the little places we visit going. We always make a point of at least going for a coffee and a bite to eat, and where possible support the independent shops. I know it costs a little more put it gives us a nice feeling of putting something back into the local economy.

 

[teddybard]

We often see claims of how much motorhomers contribute to boosting local economies where we stay so during our holiday starting with the Sandy meet I decided to keep a rough track of how much we spent.

After Sandy we used a CL, MCC rallies and had 3 nights free camping at a pub.

Average daily spend worked out at about £47.50, of which about 16.5% was accommodation fees (average about £8 a night).

We ate out several times and didn't stint ourselves so we weren't choosing "cheap" for the sake of saving money. Granted we have bus passes, which we used quite a bit, but is £47.50 a day (for two people) really a major boost to the economy?

If its £40 a week spent locally
and say 30 Vans
£1200 Isn't a bad boost for a week

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[GJH]

If its £40 a week spent locally
and say 30 Vans
£1200 Isn't a bad boost for a week

True - there were comments before we left Sandy about the increase in trade over the weekend.

 

[GJH]

The main reason I started this thread was to try to gauge whether what we happened to spend on this trip was a realistic average. I could then use figures to write to councils, having identified potential sites, and point out the potential boost to the local economy if they were to create aire/stopover facilities on those sites. From the replies I think I shall have to write in terms of "possible" rather than "average" Thanks to all who replied.

 

[injebreck99]

We had a month in Scotland earlier and were pleased that parking was free almost everywhere we went, encouraging us to stay and explore various towns and villages, we bought unnecessary coffee in cafés and pubs a not needed new handbag for O/H , as well as meals out.
Contrasting that we have just returned from a week in a static caravan in Cumbria and were charged everywhere we went, every little bit of wasteland had a parking meter present, we were even charged 20p to go to the loo!!!, as a result, not preplanned , we did not dine out anywhere but ate in the van, although the shopping was local. We did not realise until afterwards how little we spent in local businesses compared to Scotland, don't know if there is a moral here, or are we just tight Norfolk gits!

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[icantremember]

True - there were comments before we left Sandy about the increase in trade over the weekend.

That must have been the £2 Joyce spent on a teapot in a charity shop in Sandy

 

[oldun]

And not forgetting the costs of fuel to get to wherever you choose, unless you are running on bio juice but burning more than the average car.

Yes but do you buy the fuel in some out of town shopping centre at Tescos etc?

Not any help to the local community.

 

[jollyrodger]

So who do all the other fuel stns
belong to then ? Not many owned by jo blogs and if so where does he get his fuel?

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[Concord Pilot]

If you sit in your van and drink supermarket beer and eat supermarket food why on earth do you have a motorhome??? Might as well sit on your drive.

Just a personal opinion

Dave ... do you drink somewhere else then !!

 

[robnchris]

We often see claims of how much motorhomers contribute to boosting local economies where we stay so during our holiday starting with the Sandy meet I decided to keep a rough track of how much we spent.

After Sandy we used a CL, MCC rallies and had 3 nights free camping at a pub.

Average daily spend worked out at about £47.50, of which about 16.5% was accommodation fees (average about £8 a night).

We ate out several times and didn't stint ourselves so we weren't choosing "cheap" for the sake of saving money. Granted we have bus passes, which we used quite a bit, but is £47.50 a day (for two people) really a major boost to the economy?

Hi Graham,

Ok so two people only spent £47.50 I take it you are hinting that`s not going to add very much to their coffers but....times that by even a quarter of the motorhomes and caravans we pass and £47.50 multiplies in to a rather large amount!!!!!!!

 

[Concord Pilot]

We often go to the coast for a few days when we get the chance .. when there we will buy bread from the bakers, meat from the butchers (which we also put in the freezer to take home), fish from the fishermen from the beach (also frozen to take home) , other groceries, fish & Chips and use the pubs. Last time we also spent at a clothing shop.

It must be a good idea for those spending when out and about to say they are there with a motorhome .. and maybe the "anti's" will be persuaded that actually we are good guys !! Jim - maybe a national campaign ??
Cheers Rob

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[GJH]

Hi Graham,

Ok so two people only spent £47.50 I take it you are hinting that`s not going to add very much to their coffers but....times that by even a quarter of the motorhomes and caravans we pass and £47.50 multiplies in to a rather large amount!!!!!!!

That's what we averaged on that trip, Rob. What I was trying to gauge is whether it was a reasonable general average or whether it is high/low.

It's one thing going to a council along the lines of "set up an aire and every van attracted will bring 50 quid a day to your local economy" and another saying "each van may only bring a fiver a day into your economy but if you make space for a couple of dozen the scheme might start to pay its way".

OK, that's a bit flippant but I hope you get my drift - the first, if realistic, would be worth doing but the second would be much harder to carry through

 

[Bobby22]

What about this scenario..........caravan users (tuggers) right now outnumber their motorhome counterparts. Very soon tuggers will diminish due to car driving licenses. Younger drivers will have to sit a further test to pull a 'van. Probably encourage more motorhomers.
Right now the tuggers can pitch up and visit local attractions in their car with no parking restrictions.
Not as easy in a 7m motorhome.

Could this put pressure on local councils as the local economies of some tourist areas suffer when they lose out here?

 

[tambo]

Yes but do you buy the fuel in some out of town shopping centre at Tescos etc?

Not any help to the local community.

Too right i do as often there's at least 10p a litre difference

As it is living in an oil rich country I object to stupidly high fuel tax im sure I ain't going to pay more for it than I have to

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[tambo]

That's what we averaged on that trip, Rob. What I was trying to gauge is whether it was a reasonable general average or whether it is high/low.

It's one thing going to a council along the lines of "set up an aire and every van attracted will bring 50 quid a day to your local economy" and another saying "each van may only bring a fiver a day into your economy but if you make space for a couple of dozen the scheme might start to pay its way".

OK, that's a bit flippant but I hope you get my drift - the first, if realistic, would be worth doing but the second would be much harder to carry through

I don't want aires in Scotland I like it the way it is now ......

 

[Puddleduck]

I don't want aires in Scotland I like it the way it is now ......

There are already aires in Scotland and they work very well.

 

[tambo]

There are already aires in Scotland and they work very well.

Yes unofficial ones I've never had a problem in 20 years finding a camping spot in Scotland thankfully

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[GJH]

What about this scenario..........caravan users (tuggers) right now outnumber their motorhome counterparts. Very soon tuggers will diminish due to car driving licenses. Younger drivers will have to sit a further test to pull a 'van. Probably encourage more motorhomers.
Right now the tuggers can pitch up and visit local attractions in their car with no parking restrictions.
Not as easy in a 7m motorhome.

Could this put pressure on local councils as the local economies of some tourist areas suffer when they lose out here?

You may well be right - but it will take a heck of a long time

 

[Larrynwin]

Yyyyyyyyyy

 

[Larrynwin]

Sorry

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[Puddleduck]

Hawick has an official Motorhome aire as does Cruden Bay and The Falkirk Wheel.

 

[tambo]

Hawick has an official Motorhome aire as does Cruden Bay and The Falkirk Wheel.

I still prefer the unofficial ones .........with no one on them