A new survey of British motorists has uncovered polarising attitudes when it comes to the prospect of a camping holiday.
With summer in full swing, Isuzu asked 2,000 adults about their views on camping. It found that just over half (52 percent) love the idea of spending a night beneath canvas in the great outdoors.
This increases for younger Gen Z survey respondents, with 70 percent being in the pro-camping group. The same proportion of those aged 18-29 said they were in the process of planning their next trip.
However, almost a third (30 percent) said they firmly dislike the idea of camping, with older survey respondents the least likely to be tempted by a night in a tent.
Cost-of-living challenges, and the rise of staycations, mean that a quarter (25 percent) of those surveyed believe camping is undergoing a resurgence.
This is supported by separate research suggesting the global market for vehicle roof tents could grow by almost 14 percent a year between now and 2031.
Isuzu canvasses opinions
The biggest reason attracting UK drivers to the idea of camping was the idea of ‘peace and quiet’. This was a factor for more than a quarter (29 percent) of those keen to use their tent.
This was followed by ‘being in the great outdoors’ (23 percent), being able to ‘gaze up at the stars at night’ (21 percent), and ‘hearing birdsong’ (19 percent) – all major motivating factors to go camping.
Of those in the anti-camping faction, almost two thirds (60 percent) said having to put a tent up in the rain was the biggest factor putting them off. And 17 percent said forgetting the toilet roll was another reason to be anti-camping.
Great Langdale in the Lake District emerged as the top campsite of choice, chosen by 28 percent of respondents, followed by Watermouth Valley in Devon, then Glencoe in Scotland.
The freedom to explore
Isuzu’s survey uncovered the important link between going camping and having a vehicle that makes heading into the wilderness easier.
Fully 78 percent said having a capable vehicle, such as a pick-up truck, is ‘a must when camping’ and that it adds to the overall level of enjoyment.
In addition, some 16 percent said they love being able to explore and reach places they wouldn’t normally visit, with 11 percent preferring campsites off the beaten track.
Head of marketing at Isuzu UK, George Wallis, said: “There’s something timeless about loading up the truck and heading somewhere remote.
“Our customers tell us they love using their 4×4 D-Max to go camping, it gives them the freedom to explore the great outdoors without overthinking it.”
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