- Countryside is the new holiday hotspot – as long as there are pillows, champagne and an iPhone charger -
LONDON, UK (2 August, 2010) – The countryside camping scene is set to be invaded this summer by hordes of haute couture holidaymakers – camping has been rebranded 'glamping' and is the latest trend in holidays, according to new research*.
Specialist home and contents insurer Hiscox surveyed a group of AB1 professionals, the stalwarts of boutique hotels and luxe villas, and found over half (55%) are planning a UK or foreign camping trip this summer. And, where camping once meant soggy tents and tinned food, over three quarters (77%) now claim it is more comfortable and luxurious than it used to be and over half would go as far to describe it as fashionable (56%).
Duvets and fine wine
The bare essentials for today's 'glampers' include inflatable mattresses (60%), BBQs (56%) and sites with running water (67%) but they are also adding their own luxe touches and packing mod-cons including:
- Duvets and pillows (54%)
- Mobile chargers and music docking stations (40%)
- Champagne and wine (35%)
- Gourmet food or hampers (23%)
- China, glasses and cutlery from home (15%).
And location is everything; two in five (40%) opt for sites with teepees, yurts, roundhouses and beach huts while over a third (36%) must have wifi and power points.
Almost half (47%) say more of their friends are also opting for camping trips, while over one in four (28%) claim it is just more interesting than going on a standard hotel holiday. For others it is cutting their carbon footprint that makes camping trips appealing (68%) and four in five (82%) relish the chance to experience the great outdoors, as long as it is in a camper van (40%) or super-size tent (52%).
Home from home
Austyn Tusler, home insurance expert at Hiscox, comments: "Camping today is a world away from the uncomfortable trips some of us might remember from our youth – with tinned food and leaking tents – when compared to today's 'glampers' who are certainly taking and enjoying home comforts.
"A campsite however is highly unlikely to be as secure as a locked hotel room or safe so whilst 'glampers' enjoy being surrounded by their luxuries, valuables and other sentimental items are better left securely at home. It's also important to check that insurance cover is in place for camping equipment and other possessions when taken outside the home**."
Ends
For further information please contact:
Hiscox Ltd
Lexis Public Relations
Notes to Editors
* Research conducted by independent market researchers Redshift on behalf of Hiscox among 1,000 AB1 adults in the UK between 25th June 2010 and 30th June 2010
** Hiscox provides cover as standard for theft, loss or damage to items they have taken away with them on holiday or a short break, both in the UK and abroad
About Hiscox
Hiscox, the international specialist insurer, is headquartered in Bermuda and listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:HSX). There are three main underwriting parts of the Group - Hiscox London Market, Hiscox UK and Europe and Hiscox International. Hiscox London Market underwrites internationally traded business in the London Market - generally large or complex business which needs to be shared with other insurers or needs the international licences of Lloyd's. Hiscox UK and Hiscox Europe offer a range of specialist insurance for professionals and business customers, as well as high net worth individuals. Hiscox International includes operations in Bermuda, Guernsey and USA. Hiscox Insurance Company Limited, Hiscox Underwriting Limited, Hiscox Europe Underwriting Limited and Hiscox Syndicates Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
For further information, visit www.hiscox.com.