Motorhomes on the NC500 report - Lincoln University

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Steve
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Motorhomes on the NC500 report - Lincoln University

Post by Steve »

This is a Dissertation on motorhomes using the NC500, with several references to CAMpRA.

Conclusions
The research set out to learn more about how motorhome tourists on the NC500 behave, and while attempting to evaluate their impact, also determine how they are treated as a consumer group. The data reveals that in many ways they are a group that are not well catered for, underappreciated and undervalued. Motorhome owners are an older demographic who have the time and resources to spend an above average amount of time in the NC500 area at periods of the year outside the peak school holiday/summer season. They are making positive economic impacts along the route and they are spending money in a wide range of local business which includes attractions, local grocery shops, pubs and cafes. The suggestion that motorhome tourists do a big supermarket shop before they commence the route and not set foot outside their vehicle again, is comprehensively debunked by these findings. On the contrary, many prioritised local shopping, they often hoped to spend more on local produce and many felt it was difficult to park at businesses along the route.

The findings reveal a more complex picture with regard to over-night parking/camping choices. Some 80% of respondents free camped, not because they were saving money, but because it was highly desired. The opportunity to be in a beautiful location and experience a sense of freedom is central to their motorhome experience on the NC500 and if problematic free camping is to be mitigated, this will need to be considered when policy is being formulated. In fact, motorhome tourists are using campsites in order to access the facilities they need, but they are only doing so intermittently and consider them overpriced and not fit for their purpose. So, while there are challenges ahead in order to accommodate motorhome preferences, there are also significant opportunities for towns, villages and even rural property owners to meet the specific needs of motorhomes.

Overall, the sharp increase in motorhome ownership suggests a more considered strategy to accommodate motorhomes is needed. Although they present challenges and behave in very different ways to more traditional campers, they are a group that has the potential to bring significant economic benefits to the area and their needs need to be catered for more specifically. Vilifying and banning them from parking in public places, while pushing them towards conventional campsites is not a strategy supported by the data in this study. It is clear that further, more detailed study into motorhome use is required. More importantly from the point of residents living near the NC500, a much wider study should be conducted into people sleeping in vehicles that are perhaps not fully equipped motorhomes.


Full report:
Motorhomes on The North Coast 500 x Report.pdf
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arthur49
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Re: Motorhomes on the NC500 report - Lincoln University

Post by arthur49 »

Wonderful. Last year I belonged briefly to a FB Group "NC500 - The Land Weeps". Whilst some mohos are a pain in the derriere (like every section/sector of human behaviour) it became clear that a hard core of members just didn't want mohos in their area, regardless of any reasoned argument on "bad behaviour of minority" "economic benefits" etc
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Re: Motorhomes on the NC500 report - Lincoln University

Post by arthur49 »

Having read the report in full, I note it quotes the Moffat Centre and NC500 Ltd.

The former is based at Glasgow Caledonian University, the founding Director of the Moffat Centre being Prof J John Lennon

https://www.moffatcentre.com/whoweare/meettheteam/

One of the Directors of NC500 Ltd is Prof Justin John Lennon

https://find-and-update.company-informa ... 9/officers

The latter obviously have an interest in the NC500 being successful.

Whilst I welcome the Lincoln University report, and I am enthusiastic that the provision of Aires in Scotland succeeds, its unfortunate that Prof Lennon appears in two sources of facts, as it gives detractors an opportunity to criticise or dismiss some of the findings?
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Re: Motorhomes on the NC500 report - Lincoln University

Post by Steve »

Please remember this is only a dissertation, the main point is the reference to CAMpRA as a source of information several times and the conclusion that is what we are promoting, the benefits to the local economy.
Any publication that supports our aims is good.
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Re: Motorhomes on the NC500 report - Lincoln University

Post by Traceybarkwill »

Bearing in mind that most dissertations are written on the back of previous ones (then expanded or specialised), I wonder if it is worth contacting Lincoln University to see whether they would consider asking this year's students to base their dissertations around Motorhome Tourism in the UK in general. We can offer our support - I can see us giving talks etc. etc. Do we know which department/ course?
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