The Rise of the UK Vantreprenuer: 

Record Year for Campervan Rentals in the UK  

Data indicates record number of Brits have taken to renting out their campervans, as UK holidays likely to dominate summer 2021 bookings.

As COVID restrictions begin to ease and foreign holidays unlikely this summer, Camplify, the UK's fastest-growing campervan and motorhome sharing community is predicting a record year for rentals.

With the UK Government's lockdown roadmap pointing towards a 'Summer of Staycations' as Brits look forward to a well-deserved holiday. This desire is also reflected in data, with van sharing platform Camplify (established in the UK in 2018) recording a 367% booking request increase in February. This follows on from a 1000% increase in booking requests last June as the first lockdown was lifted.

Speaking about the potential for a record breaking summer, Justin Hales CEO and Founder of Camplify said:

“We can't wait to offer a travel solution that enables Brits to enjoy a holiday in the great outdoors with the added element of freedom that a motorhome provides. We have hundreds of self-contained motorhomes and campervans up and down the UK that not only provide excellent value, but allow the freedom of movement and exploration that so many people are craving right now. Based on recent booking patterns, we fully expect this to be one of our best summers yet and we would love to help other vehicle owners create a new source of income for themselves as well.”

This surge in demand could provide campervan and motorhome owners with an unprecedented opportunity to cash in on the staycation craze. Camplify has reported that more van owners (looking to profit from the domestic holiday boom) have signed up to share their vehicles in March than any other month in the last 18. February - March of this year has seen a combined 240% increase in owner sign-ups compared with January 2021.

Sarah and Dan from Richmond North Yorkshire, listed their family motorhome (named Coco) with Camplify earlier this year, and received their first booking within a week. Speaking about demand, Sarah said:

“This is our first season hiring with Camplify, and we've already had such a lovely mix of bookings come through - from families taking longer breaks to explore the country, Kendal Calling festival-goers, and a group of friends walking the Three Peaks to raise money for Mind.”

“We love holidays in the UK, so whilst we will use our motorhome a lot, Camplify will enable us to recoup some of our costs. We are always looking to the future so if it goes well maybe one day we will have a small fleet!”

There are over 1.1 million leisure accommodation vehicles registered in the UK and most are only used for 2-4 weeks a year. Over the predicted busy summer period, UK van owners have the potential to earn the following for each week of rental;
Motorhomes £850 - £1,150
Campervans £750 - £1,000
Touring caravans £490 - £630
Static caravans £500 - £900

With hundreds of vehicles already registered across the UK, Camplify is looking to accommodate and satisfy the rapidly growing staycation market forecasted for the year by welcoming more owners to the platform. Prices start from as little as £50-a-night, so whether you want to hit the surf in Cornwall, explore the quintessentially British cities of Oxford and Cambridge or journey through the beautifully remote Scottish Highlands, there is a van for you!

To explore vans available to hire now or to find out more about joining the van sharing economy, head to www.camplify.co.uk

Examples of vehicles to hire on Camplify include:
Dave the Campervan, Watford
Clementine, Bristol
Barra Camper, Glasgow
Dolly, Birmingham
Aircon 6 Berth Caravan, Weymouth