Students study local ‘staycations’

Travel and tourism ‘A’ level students from Shrewsbury Sixth Form College have visited two local luxury caravan holiday home parks in Mid Wales as part of a research project on ‘staycationing’.

The college is working with leading caravan dealership Salop Leisure on the project and visited Seven Oaks Holiday Home Park at Crew Green and Gwernydd Hall Holiday Home Park at New Mills, near Newtown. Both parks have achieved the highest five star grading.

The 19 students are seeking to answer the question: “Will the increasing trend for ‘staycation’ holidays secure a bright future for holiday parks?”

“As part of their investigation, the students undertake primary and secondary research, which they evaluate and come up with their own conclusions,” explained Angelina Burgess, head of the travel and tourism at the college. “We hope their conclusions may be of use to Salop Leisure, as it will give us a young person’s perspective on what could be offered by the caravan industry.

“The concept of a holiday home park was completely new to some of them and they were amazed at the facilities available at the parks, including a cinema and gyms. It was a good time to visit Gwernydd Hall, which is in the process of building an indoor swimming pool complex.

“They interviewed holiday home owners, park employees and Scott Higgins, Salop Leisure’ marketing manager. The visit to both parks was during the school half term holiday, so there were young children there, which showed the students that these parks were for families as well as for retired people.

“Because I come from a travel background, I want to give my students a realistic experience of this very dynamic industry and working with a company like Salop Leisure makes it a much more meaningful for them.”

Tony Bywater, Salop Leisure’s chairman, said the company was delighted to work with school and college groups and welcomed feedback from pupils and students about caravans and motorhomes, as they are the customers of the future.

“The project chosen by Shrewsbury Sixth Form College is of great interest and importance to the business and I look forward to seeing the results of the students’ research,” he added.

PICTURE: The students from Shrewsbury Sixth Form College with Scott Higgins, Salop Leisure’ marketing manager (right), at Seven Oaks Holiday Home Park at Crew Green.