Portsoy Links Caravan Park welcomes increased number of staycation holidaymakers and new motorhome owners from Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire

A late flurry of bookings – many from people living in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire –delivered a welcome fillip to Portsoy Links Caravan Park.

A rise in the number of regional visitors taking the staycation message to heart contributed to a 25% increase in rise in bookings for October and November 2020 at Portsoy Links Caravan Park.

An increase in the number of motorhomes using the seafront site was also recorded. This supports reports from motorhome and caravan dealers who recorded booming post-lockdown sales after caravan parks were able to reopen in July.

The figures provided a much-needed boost to Portsoy Links after Covid 19 restrictions saw the site closed during some of its peak tourist months.

Portsoy Links Caravan Park manager Ian Tillett said: “2020 looked like being a complete wash out. However, we were heartened to see so many visitors come and stay as late as October and November, many of whom were first time visitors from Moray, the Highlands and particularly other parts of Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen.

“Some people just wanted to get away from their own four walls and felt more confident about staying in their local region. Others hadn’t had their summer break, as they had been waiting to see the implications of the Covid 19 on travel arrangements.

“In recent years there has been a rise in the number of motorhome visitors, and that continues to be seen, but we have also had people coming to camp well into November, so there has been the full mix of static, caravan, tent, campervan and motorhome usage.

“Our overseas trade was wiped out in 2020, but we have been pleased to welcome more people from the local area, many of whom had never considered staying at Portsoy before because it was so close to where they stay.

“It was a been a year of challenges, but we are fortunate to have a great staff team here who have been flexible and adapted to ever-changing situations.

“We’re feeling positive for 2021. There remains uncertainly around foreign travel and indications are that people will plan to have breaks earlier in the season. We expect that they will continue to holiday closer to home. With more motorhomes out there, this is likely to lead to owners taking an increased number of holidays or shorter breaks, which will bring benefits to sites.

“Visitors love our seafront location and being able to explore the coastline, and the wider area around Portsoy. It’s a fantastic place with lots to see and do, even when attractions were not open due to Covid 19.

“There are great walking routes, some stunning places to take pictures like all around our historic harbour, and an abundance of wildlife, including seals and dolphins and oyster catchers, red shanks and cormorants.”

Portsoy Links Caravan Park is owned and operated by Portsoy Community Enterprise, which oversees a range of assets in the town for the benefit of preserving heritage and promoting economic regeneration through tourism

David Urquhart, chairman of Portsoy Community Enterprise, welcomed the stay-at-home holiday market increase, and the benefits that this has brought for the area.

Mr Urquhart said: “This year has resulted in seismic shifts in holiday patterns, but we are pleased to have seen more visitors from the local area choosing to stay at Portsoy.

“We hope they come back again as we believe that Portsoy’s offering makes it a great destination for visitors all year round.”

Surrounded by rugged headlands and overlooking the pretty Links Bay beach, Portsoy’s caravan park is open all year round, making it an ideal location to escape from it all and relax.

It has electric hook-ups, free Wi-Fi, spotless showers and toilets including disabled facilities, and is renowned for the warm and friendly service delivered by its team.

Find out more from the Facebook page @portsoylinks