Unlock 2025’s Top Trends: Caravans & Hiking – What You Need to Know

1. Market Trend: Emerging Trends in Caravans with a Focus on Hiking

We’re just back from the Motorhome & Caravan Show at the NEC, and there was a strong sense of the market being tough. But a lot of the stands were busy with sales up on last year.

With that in mind, we’re sharing key trends, insights, and opportunities, plus practical strategies to help you stay ahead.

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• Caravans are becoming increasingly popular with outdoor enthusiasts looking for flexible and mobile adventure options.

• Highlighting hiking-focused features in caravan designs is important. These include gear storage, lightweight builds, equipment to dry your wet hiking gear, and eco-friendly materials that'll appeal to hikers who care about the environment.

Despite the recent downturn in the caravan market, as discussed in our recent newsletter, there's an opportunity for the caravan and campervan market to capitalise on a growing niche.

Where? Interest in hiking continues to grow.

Google Trends data reveals a significant surge in interest in outdoor activities, particularly hiking, within the United Kingdom.

Plus, more and more people want to travel to remote places and experience the beauty of nature.

Also, they place a lot of importance on being sustainable and using environmentally friendly ways of doing things. They also like to spend time in their own country.

Although general interest in camping remains high, its popularity is currently declining. While camping offers a unique and enjoyable experience, it relies heavily on favourable weather conditions.

Increasingly, individuals seek a higher level of comfort, leading to the rise of glamping. Caravans, campervans, and lodges present a compromise between traditional camping and conventional holiday homes.

Image above: Online interest in ‘camping’ over the last 5 years

With the rise of adventure tourism and other outdoor pursuits, such as cycling, hiking, and kayaking, camping is no longer the primary focus of these activities.

Instead, consumers seek experiences that provide a wider range of activities or revolve around adventure sports.

As a result, camping is no longer the go-to choice for outdoor enthusiasts in the way it once was.

It’s not a disaster for camping. It’s just a change in what people want. They like camping, but prefer to do it in more comfort. And more people want to be as remote as possible.

For example, look at this trend for ‘off-grid campers.’

If your caravan, campervan, or motorhome has solar panels and good storage for water and waste, it’s a good idea to highlight these features.

Key Points:

• Growth of caravan ownership among outdoor adventurers.

• Increased demand for caravan models suited for off-the-grid camping and hiking expeditions.

• Manufacturers adding hiking-friendly amenities, like larger storage compartments for gear, solar-powered systems, and lightweight builds for easier travel to remote hiking spots.

2. Industry Insights on the Growth of Caravans and Hiking

Insight: The market for caravans and hiking-related experiences is expanding as more consumers prioritise health, wellness, and adventure. With caravans offering the convenience of a mobile basecamp, hiking or walking has become a top activity for caravan owners.

Key Stats:

• Over 70% of caravan owners are likely to engage in hiking or walking during their trips, according to recent surveys.

• Caravan manufacturers are making more ‌features that cater to hikers and walkers, such as outdoor showers, foldable storage, and easy-to-pack camping gear setups.

3. Growth Opportunity: Caravans and Hiking for 2024

Opportunity: Outdoor leisure brands have a prime opportunity to target the intersection of the caravan and hiking markets. By offering products and services that cater to hiking enthusiasts, caravan brands can tap into a growing segment of adventure-seekers.

Example Opportunities:

• Introduce hiking gear packages with caravan sales, like collapsible hiking poles, backpacks, and water filtration systems.

• Partner with hiking tour operators to offer guided adventures as part of caravan rental or purchase packages.

• Expand marketing to target adventure seekers looking for flexibility and the ability to park their caravan near top hiking destinations.

4. Actionable Marketing Strategy: How to Market Caravans and Hiking Effectively

Strategy: Align your marketing efforts with the values of the outdoor and hiking community. Use content marketing, SEO, and partnerships with outdoor influencers to promote caravans as the perfect basecamp for hiking adventures.

Actionable Tips:

• Content Creation: Write blogs and produce videos about the best hiking trails accessible by caravan. Highlight hiking-friendly features of specific caravan models.

• SEO Strategy: Optimise your website for search terms like “best caravans for hiking trips” or “outdoor adventures with caravans and hiking.”

• Social Media: Collaborate with outdoor influencers and hiking bloggers to showcase real-world experiences of using caravans for hiking trips.

• Partner Campaigns: Work with outdoor brands that sell hiking gear. Offer deals like discounts on hiking accessories when you buy or rent a caravan.

5. Case Study: How Manufacturers Met ‌Outdoor Adventure Demand

Case Study: When the Swift Basecamp came along, there was genuine excitement and surprise in the market. Here was something which stepped outside the mainstream market and into a specialist niche.

• Here was a company that made a special caravan for outdoor adventurers. It has easy-to-store gear, a light design, and extra features for travelling off-grid.

  • Swift identified the growing trend of adventure travel and leveraged it to attract a new market segment of hiking and other outdoor enthusiasts.

  • The model has been so successful that they’ve now brought out bigger models and extended the Basemcamp brand.

  • Competitors have now brought out their own versions, such as the Xplore campervans and motorhomes.

Wrapping it up

This week’s newsletter gives you a full look at how caravans and hiking are coming together in 2024.

We’ve included some (hopefully) useful insights, growth opportunities, and easy-to-use strategies.

Use these tips to stay ahead and connect with the growing community of adventure travellers!

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