Farms realise diversification dreams thanks to Pitchup.com

Outdoor holiday specialist responsible for almost 10,000 farm bookings in 2013

Farms now represent 20% of all outdoor accommodation options on Pitchup.com

This winter, outdoor accommodation specialist Pitchup.com has revealed its figures for farm bookings over 2013, showing almost 10,000 bookings to date at farm sites throughout the UK and Ireland this year.

Pitchup.com founder Dan Yates commented: "In recent years the British farming industry has seen a serious decline, with financial difficulties continuing to be a cause of concern to farmers.  However, farmers can help their finances and farms by diversifying into other areas, and this is easier to do than they might think.

"The way to help farms is via a diversification programme and this is where we can assist. The set up and running of a farm-based campsite is a relatively simple process and by working with us many farms could see their income double in a year.

"The outdoor holiday market for the UK is worth £2.5billion per year and we’re encouraging farms to get on board and enjoy a slice of this income. One of our farms took 95% of its campsite bookings income this year from its listing on Pitchup.com. Farmers already own the land in most cases – why not put unfarmed parts of it to use?

Pitchup.com has been assisting farms in this way since 2009 and currently 20% of all accommodation listed via their site is on farms.

The facts for farmers:

• Brits holidaying at home spend 47% more nights at campsites or caravan parks than at hotels
• They spend £2.5bn each year during GB camping and caravanning trips
• They take more camping and caravanning trips in Britain than holidays to France and Spain combined
• Pitchup.com receives up to 65,000 visits per day
• There’s no cost involved in listing a business on Pitchup.com – farms simply pay a commission on bookings received
• A simple call to a local council will provide information about planning permission and obtaining a licence to run a campsite on a farm
• Many companies now build and deliver glamping options such as camping pods, meaning that farmers can set up with little effort

To find out more about running a camping and caravan site visit http://www.pitchup.com/how-start-campsite-caravan-park/ or to get started, call 0208 434 7444.

Pitchup.com is exhibiting at Farm Business Innovation 2013, taking place at London Olympia between 28 – 29 November 2013.  To meet the team and find out more visit stand number F666.

For more information visit www.pitchup.com

ends

Media information:

Cass Helstrip, Samantha Marsh or Jardine Howlett at White Tiger PR

Cass.helstrip@whitetigerpr.com 07968 255464

Samantha.marsh@whitetigerpr.com 07711 265666

Jardine.howlett@whitetigerpr.com 07866 508737

Notes to editors

Founded in 2009 by former lastminute.com man, Dan Yates, multi-award winning Pitchup.com is a free guide to all types of outdoor accommodation in the UK, Ireland and France. The site provides users with a simple platform in which they can search and book an outdoor holiday with total ease. The customer experience from landing on the home page through to booking a holiday can be completed in as little as four pages. The site also goes beyond traditional searches by allowing users to search for accommodation based on more than 80 criteria, such as adults only and campfires allowed, and view nearby events, Good Pub Guide pubs and VisitBritain attractions. Users can also search on the offers page to find the best deals available. Pitchup.com features over 5,000 UK wide camping and caravanning sites/parks with France recently added into the equation. It enables users to search for all types of parks and sites from the major brands right through to one off campsites and unique outdoor accommodation options, which may not have previously had a web presence.