CAMPING is set to be this season’s hottest trend according to a leading North Wales holiday group.

When someone mentions camping in North Wales, it might bring back memories of school trips in days gone by, or tagging on reluctantly as a teenager to rainy family holidays.

But according to the Rhyl-based tourism giants, Lyons Holiday Parks, camping in North Wales is on the rise again this year, with the surge in touring and camping bookings echoing that of the first year of lockdown (2020).

The UK tourism and travel market changed drastically during and after the pandemic, with campsites across the UK seeing a huge surge in camping, touring, and motorhome bookings.

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Last year, a record-breaking number of happy campers visited Lyons St Mary’s Touring Park in Gronant as fears surrounding foreign travel ensued.

In 2022, more and more holidaymakers are swapping all-inclusive hotel breaks for air beds and gas cookers.

Michelle McKelvie, group holiday sales manager for the fifth-generation business, said: “The sheer number of campsites out there now is higher than it’s ever been before, and the market is saturated with options to meet everyone’s demands.

“Gone are the days when camping consisted of pitching a tent in a field and hoping for the best – camping is now seen as the new ‘cool’, which in turn, means campsite operators are working to match the demand.

“We’ve all been camping as kids, and often revisiting locations or activities we used to do in our youth can be refreshing and nostalgic.

“But since the pandemic, Brits are keener than ever to take up new hobbies or try things they haven’t done in years – just, because!

“There’s been a shift in the psyche about things that bring joy to us, and going back to the most basic type of ‘getaway time’ allows people to escape, reflect, and enjoy themselves.”

Appreciating wildlife, being immersed in nature, and getting lost in the great outdoors is something the whole nation has taken up in the past two years.

Camping in North Wales is the ultimate “natural retreat”, says company director Joseph Lyons Mound, with plenty of destination locations from waterfalls to woodlands, coast to countryside.

He added: “The popularity of Lyons Pendyffryn Hall located in Dwygyfylchi has surged in the past 24 months, and we attribute this to our fantastic location. Looking at our data, the majority of our demographic for this park is walkers, hikers, cyclists, and even water sport enthusiasts.

“This falls in line with our geographical pulls such as being located in Snowdonia National Park, in the foothills of Penmaenmawr, minutes away from Abergwyngregyn Falls and the North Wales coastline.”

For some, the thought of putting a tent up in the great outdoors isn’t their idea of a lovely getaway.

But studies indicate how participating in outdoor recreational activities can lead to a huge sense of satisfaction and pleasure.

It can ignite a primal instinct that makes us feel more alive than staying in a hotel room.

Michelle added: “Using the tent as a ‘base’ is also what most campers do, and use the lack of luxury to explore more of the area they’re visiting.

“If it’s raining, people go and try some nearby activities, or enjoy some local delicacies at cafes, pubs, and bars.

“When it’s sunny, guests want to visit the beach or go for a walk, and this provides the guest with a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction rather than just sitting by a pool all day drinking beer.”

One of the major attractions of camping in North Wales is the affordability, with prices starting from as low as £21 per night at campsites such as Lyons St Mary’s Touring Park near Holywell.

The low cost of camping attracts more people who want to get away of a weekend, week after week, rather than spending lots on one big summer holiday.

Michelle added: “Camping in North Wales is a great option for larger groups, whether that’s a group of friends or a large family, as it encourages interaction in certain activities like cooking or playing ball games.

“Over the past two years, more and more campsites and touring parks have popped up which means people don’t have to travel far to get a good deal.

“Here in North Wales, we’ve found the majority of campers are from the North-West, especially across the border, and that’s just the beauty of having such a beautiful region so close to England.

“People like how close Wales is, but it’s far enough away and different to feel like a ‘holiday’ to most.”

According to the tourism group, pet-friendly holidays have skyrocketed since the pandemic, with more people realising that they can take their dog away on holiday with them.

Joseph added: “Camping can appeal to every member of the family, even four-legged ones, which can save the stress and heartache (as well as the money) of forking out on kennels or dog-sitters.

“With camping, you’re already immersed in nature and enjoying the great outdoors so it just makes sense to bring your dog along with you.”

The role we play in maintaining our natural environment has never been so paramount, with many people worldwide feeling reluctant to travel due to the emissions of cargo planes, ships, and trains.

Michelle said: “Camping not only encourages travel by foot or by bike but enhances our connection with the natural world and spending a night in nature does make us feel more responsible for our environment.

“With the boom in sustainability movements comes a boom in more ‘eco-friendly’ stays, where people take more responsibility for their footprints and rubbish, and the more we see of that, the better.

“Lyons St Mary’s Touring Park, for example, is located right next to a nature reserve and has its very own fishing lake – perfect for nature lovers or those who want to explore the great outdoors.”