Forget the Weather and Carry on Camping - It’s Good For You!
Ignore the elements and explore the great outdoors because camping can help beat stress, make you feel happier and wean the kids away from computer games, according to a new report from Halfords.
Despite this UK’s unpredictable weather a record number of people are predicted to venture into the great outdoors this year – so news that a night in a tent or caravan can boost wellbeing is particularly welcome.
Whether embarking on a family holiday or going to a festival, Halfords research found that more than eight out of ten people who have camped in the last three years (83%) say that nights spent under the stars help to relieve the stresses and strains of their everyday lives.
The surprising new findings come as National Camping and Caravanning Week takes place (26thMay – 1stJune) and show that more people are looking toward holidays outdoors as a way of enjoying quality family time together.
The findings come from a study for leisure, cycling and motor accessories retailer, Halfords, which also revealed that the beneficial effects of camping or caravanning holidays were rated particularly highly by parents with 91% of them saying they thought such trips were good for children’s health.
Camping vacations were also credited by nine out of ten people (92%) for keeping both adults and children physically active while 89% said having limited access to electronic gadgets such as computers, video games and tablets on camping holidays encouraged better family communication.
Additional benefits included “feeling more contented” with normal life, afterwards, which was cited by 78% of those who took part in the report and seeing our children enjoy “traditional outdoor activities” such as cycling, boating, playing with balls, kites and Frisbees, pleased more than one in seven parents (73%).
Halfords camping product manager Richard Bowen said: “Camping is enjoying a real revival. Festivals have made camping cool again and as more and more people try it, they are reminded about childhood memories or discover what they have been missing.
“The good news is that camping equipment has improved dramatically, so memories of leaky tents and cold nights are a thing of the past if people pack the right gear.”
“Making our own entertainment” was seen as a major positive aspect of camping for 71% of people, closely followed by appreciating “nature and our environment” which was popular with 69% of those questioned.
Out of those respondents who went camping as children, a huge 97% said those trips produced their happiest childhood holiday memories.
One in three people in the UK has taken a camping or caravanning holiday in the last three years, up from one in five in 2009*.
To watch the Halfords ‘Guide to Festival Camping’ or ‘Guide to Family Camping’ visit http://www.youtube.com/halfords
If you’re a festival-goer heading to either Sonisphere (4-6 July) or Bestival (31 July – 3 August) you can order your tent using Halfords pre-order service and collect it on-site by going to Halfords.com/campbestival and Halfords.com/sonisphere.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
* Source Mintel 2011
The Camping and Caravanning Club said advance bookings for this summer were up 26% in April compared to the same month last year.
Camping for the purpose of this report is defined as a trip where nights are spent in a tent, caravan, or camper van or motor home.
The latest figures from the Great Britain Tourism Survey show that 17 million Britons annually take camping or caravanning breaks in the UK, more than go to France, 6 million, or Spain, 10 million.
Media contact:
James Dale, PR Coordinator, T: 01527 513315, E: james.dale@halfords.co.uk
Stuart Humphreys, Automotive PR Manager, T: 01527 513410, E: stuart.humphreys@halfords.co.uk
Halfords Group plc
The Group is the UK's leading retailer of automotive, leisure and cycling products and through Halfords Autocentres also one of the UK's leading independent car servicing and repair operator. Halfords customers shop at over 460 stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland and at halfords.com for pick-up at their local store or direct home delivery. Halfords Autocentres operates from around 300 sites nationally and offers motorists dealership-quality MOTs, repairs and car servicing at affordable prices.
The Halfords group strategy is based on three pillars:
· Supporting Drivers Of Every Car
· Inspiring Cyclists Of Every Age
· Equipping Families For Their Leisure Time
The Getting into Gear 2016 plan for the Retail business is based on executing in five key areas in order to deliver a significantly-enhanced customer experience:
· Service Revolution
· The H Factor
· Stores Fit To Shop
· 21stCentury Infrastructure
· Click With The Digital Future
Halfords employs approximately 12,000 colleagues and sells around 10,000 product lines in stores, increasing to around 30,000 lines online. The product offering encompasses significant ranges in car parts, cycling, in-car technology, child seats, roof boxes, outdoor leisure and camping equipment. Halfords own brands include Apollo and Carrera cycles, augmented by exclusive UK distribution rights for the premium-ranged Boardman cycles and accessories. In outdoor leisure, we sell a premium range of camping equipment including brands such as Gelert and Outwell. Halfords offers customers expert advice and a fitting service called "wefit" for car parts, child seats, satellite navigation and in-car entertainment systems, and a "werepair" service for cycles.
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