Going Camping is Going Strong

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
25 September 2006

Going Camping is Going Strong

Jasons Travel Media’s new CEO Steven Joyce, has spoken out about the strength of New Zealand’s camping and Holiday Park offerings at the launch of Jasons annual guide to all things camping.

“There has been a lot of talk over the last few weeks about a decline in the number of camping grounds around the country as there is pressure to use the land for development. And there have been a few high-profile losses, but like all things the effect can be overstated for the sake of a headline. The reality is that the industry remains very strong and there are plenty of places for Kiwis to pitch a tent or pull up a caravan in their favourite holiday spot this summer.”

Jasons free annual Holiday Parks and Campgrounds Accommodation Directory is being released this week both in print and on the web, and Joyce points to it as evidence of a vibrant camping industry. “The free printed guide has grown another 4% this year, and in it we have 435 places to stay around the country, plus camping tips and maps”.

Joyce says while the industry will welcome the government’s plans to potentially open up more DOC land for camping, he says the politicians need to take care not to compete with the private operators that are the backbone of this iconic Kiwi holiday activity.

“Anything that grows the industry should be good for domestic travel, but it will only work longer term if it’s done in a way that encourages private operators to continue to develop the industry as they have until now.”

Jasons Holiday Parks and Campgrounds Accommodation Directory has been produced annually for the last 24 years. This year 190,000 copies will be distributed to New Zealanders to help with their holiday plans. Along with the Jasons Motel Accommodation Directory which will be released in about a month, it has been a longstanding information repository for New Zealand family holidays.

“The annual family summer holiday is a well-loved Kiwi icon, and one of the symbols of what it means to be a New Zealander”, Joyce said. “Jasons take a lot of pride in providing thousands and thousands of Kiwis with the information they need to plan that important annual trip every year.”

Joyce encourages families to book earlier. “We are due for an upswing in domestic tourism this year after a lot of focus in recent times on off-shore holidays”. “Our sense is that after a cold winter people will be thinking of stretching their Christmas holidays and having a decent break by a lovely New Zealand beach or lake.”

Fergus Brown, Chief Executive of the Holiday Accommodation Parks Assn (HAPNZ) fully agrees with Jasons opinions of the current issues in the Holiday Park industry and congratulates them on the publication of their Holiday Parks and Campgrounds guide. “Camping holidays and the holiday park experience have long been an iconic part of the New Zealand culture.” Brown said. “The official visitor statistics show that since 1997 guest nights at holiday parks have increased by over 1.1million or 22.6%. There is no sign of the increase in demand diminishing and this new publication will assist holidaymakers in choosing from the hundreds of parks available”

ENDS

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