THE credit crunch is looking likely to fuel an unlikely comeback - for the caravan.

The Scottish Caravan & Outdoor Leisure Show next month is expected to be the busiest yet with a 10% rise in visitors as thousands more cash-strapped Scots search for cheaper holiday options at home.

Bookings are also rising with a 15% jump in the number of spaces being snapped up at UK caravan sites for 2009 - boosting the industry's takings by hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Meanwhile, there has been a rise in the number of people turning to more "glamorous" camping, dubbed "glamping".

A survey by the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) found that the trend for luxury tents, complete with beds and stoves, has fuelled a 10% increase in bookings for camping holidays.

The resurgence of caravanning and camping follows reports of a boom year ahead for Scottish hoteliers as more favourable exchange rates and the drop in petrol prices prompt more bookings for that sector too.

The trend towards so-called "staycations" also coincides with the Scottish Government's Year of Homecoming, aimed at encouraging the Scottish diaspora to return to - and residents to remain on - home turf for holidays.

Caravan and leisure show organiser, Jamie Taylor, said yesterday: "With belts tightening across the country, more and more people are choosing to holiday in the UK, with many opting to enjoy the freedom and flexibility of caravanning which can work out significantly cheaper than a foreign holiday.

"The past six months has seen a huge increase in people going camping and caravanning."

The show at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow, in its third year, is likely to see an increase in visitor numbers from around 31,000 last year to roughly 34,000.

More than 130 companies will showcase caravans, ranging from around £900 up to £23,000, at the event alongside camping equipment and other outdoors gear.

Latest figures from the Camping and Caravanning Club support the prediction that caravanning holidays are on the rise.

The club found that one in eight Britons chose to holiday in the UK in 2008, and caravanning's leading share of the UK holiday market is expected to grow beyond the 19% reported last year.

Advanced bookings for 2009 made by club members are up 15% on the numbers made by this time last year.

Club spokesman Matthew Eastlake said: "That is quite significant, coming after a year which was also very strong. It represents good growth. I think there is no doubt that, assuming we can see a half-decent weather year, people will be staying in the UK more than ever before."

The National Caravan Council also reported rising bookings, but warned that Scotland could lose out as people continued to cut back on fuel costs.

Spokeswoman Louise Wood said: "A lot of people are looking at what good value a caravan can give them. Instead of spending £3000 or £4000 on one holiday abroad they can buy a secondhand caravan and use it for years.

"However, people are very aware of high fuel costs and there is some evidence that people are perhaps travelling less far with their caravans, which might not be so good for Scottish parks," she added.

However, caravan dealers and parks in Scotland were hopeful. Colin Chisholm, of Crossburn Caravans in Peebles, both a dealership and a caravan park, said: "It is early yet, but I think there will be an increase in sales and bookings. It's a cheap holiday, regardless of the credit crunch. We are optimistic."


Carry on camping

IT is hard to think of many places where two adults and half a dozen children could enjoy a weekend away for less than £100.

But Colin McDonald has discovered that it is possible if you go caravanning with friends.

The 40-year-old appliance engineer rarely takes his own three youngsters further than about 10 miles from their Dunbar home either, making holidays even cheaper.

Although he bought a family caravan because he loves outdoors holidays, the savings it can bring are also an important factor - especially in the current economic downturn.

He said: "We might only be five minutes down the road but as far as the kids are concerned we're miles away. They have a ball and you're not spending a lot of money.

"I bought the caravan second-hand four years ago because I did a lot of camping as a kid and I loved it, but there are financial reasons too. Taking three kids on one holiday you can pay £3000 or £4000.

"The caravan cost me £2000 and last year I went away in it about 15 times."

All three of his children, aged between five and 12, love holidaying in the family's caravan - although it is not everyone's idea of a break though.

He admitted: "My wife hates it so she doesn't come with us. But it still gives her a break when I take the kids away."