Van life trend seeing new younger demographic discover delights of caravan and motorhome ownership

The UK’s caravan and motorhome boom is attracting a younger demographic, new research shows.

While the traditional “older, male campervan owner” is still around, Just Kampers say there are more and more young people, and women, buying up campers.

Carolyn Kirvan-Cranfield, marketing executive at Just Kampers said: “When I joined the industry with Just Kampers over 10 years ago, campervan ownership and the ‘scene’ was very male-centric, as was the industry itself.

“It was quite unusual to be female within it.

“Changes were already happening, and it would be incorrect to assume that there haven’t always been female owners – they were just less obvious and probably less catered for.

“The pandemic has definitely expedited those changes and it’s great to see a broader representation in terms of age and gender.”

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In 2021, Britons aged between 25 and 34 are showing as much interest in campervans as those aged 45 to 54.

Back in 2019, Just Kampers’ average campervan customer was male and aged between 45 and 54.

Transactions by 18 to 24-year-olds on Just Kampers have increased by 868 per cent.

Women, meanwhile, have more than doubled, growing by 111 per cent, and now make up a quarter of all campervan parts purchases.

Carolyn added: “There have been many contributing factors.

“I think for many the pandemic, and the way in which we have lived through it, has brought into sharp focus that which holds true value in terms of experience and time shared.

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“Those who had previously been hesitant to chase their dreams have prioritised these things and feel more empowered to buy campervans or go solo travelling.

“The focus is now less about ‘Why?’ but rather ‘Why not’.

“In an industry for whom history and nostalgia is everything, it’s important to be forward thinking to ensure its future too.

“The more people who experience the delights of van life, no matter what age or identity, the better it is for us all.”

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