Have any of you ever considered visiting trade shows or business fairs, when looking to broaden your client base in your chosen sector or sectors? Although a qualified solicitor, I am a translator, much of my workload being in leisure and tourism, built up over the last nine years. I took the opportunity on 20 February to attend the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show 2025 at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.
My objectives for the day
I had three objectives as I left Peterborough train station, headed for Birmingham International:
- to network with French camping organisations and regional camping groups;
- to attend talks on tourist attractions in Portugal, the Alps and the camping world generally; and
- to broaden my understanding of the motorhome and camper van market.
- Networking with French camping groups and regional camping organisations
I met with representatives from several campsites and camping groups including C’est Si Bon amongst others.
C’est Si Bon. A camping organisation which trades and rides on the humour in its name, taken from the eponymous French song originally performed by Yves Montand back in 1948! One of their number will even do an impromptu rendition for you! The group comprises 12 independent campsites throughout France (including in the Seine-et-Marne, Maine-et-Loire, Dordogne and Ardèche départements).
A chat with the UBHPA (Union Bretonne de l’Hôtellerie de Plein Air) proved useful. This is an umbrella organisation in Brittany comprising trade unions in the départements of Côtes d’Amor, Ille-et-Vilaine, Finistère and Morbihan. The group advises campsites in the region upon the legal, health and safety and regulatory frameworks relevant to owning and managing such undertakings.
As planned, I visited the ACSI stand. I have translated websites for a plethora of ACSI campsites. The company, a campsite specialist based in The Netherlands, includes teams of inspectors checking campsites’ facilities and services on an annual basis. This provides holidaymakers with objective information about given campsites. The group inspects more than 9,400 campsites across Europe every year. Holidaymakers can also leave their own reviews and ratings.
The link to ACSI Eurocampings can be found at: https://www.eurocampings.co.uk/, enabling you to locate campsites by region for the countries in the group. The directory is available in paperback and there is a subscription-based ACSI app. A useful website and directory to know about, whether you’re a translator or holidaymaker (or both!).
It was lovely to touch base and chat with these organisations and I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend the networking aspect!
- The talks in the Inspiration Theatre
I attended a talk by Marcus Leach entitled Portugal Uncovered, covering the Peneda-Gerês National Park, vineyards of the Douro Valley, known for port production, and indeed Porto, where port is drunk! Marcus believes Porto is less commercialised and somehow more attractive to tourists than Portugal’s capital Lisbon.
At the session In Conversation With Alex Jones (from BBC’s The One Show), Alex spoke, with her usual jovial humour, about her experiences camping as a child and now with her family. Her husband is a New Zealander. Hiring a camper van or motorhome works for them as they and their children enjoy camping in the great outdoors. She loves the sense of getting back to nature, which she feels hotel holidays can lack.
She mentioned holidaying in France. In her Q&A, I asked about her favourite tourist attractions on the Ile de Ré. Alex explained that, as a family, they prefer the beaches to the north of the island and tourist attractions away from the main centres.
Towards the end of the show, Bob Reeves gave a talk on The Alps: A Multi-Country Adventure. He explained the Alps includes not only France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Austria but also Liechtenstein and Monaco. He described visiting Chamonix, Mont Blanc, Lake Annecy, the Italian lakes and Austria, including Innsbruck and Salzburg.
- The coach motorhome and camper van market
In the morning, I headed to the Chausson stand (a French motorhome and camper van brand), comprising several UK Chausson dealers. It was useful to understand what is available with a coach motorhome or camper van. It is amazing how much designers fit into a small space. Many of them have a toilet and shower combined. One sales representative suggested this is not an issue, as people are likely to use the on-site sanitary facilities on campsites in the main.
During the afternoon, I had a look at VW and Ford van conversions, speaking to a van conversion manufacturer located relatively close to me (Knight’s Custom). They complete van conversions for both brands, and will convert your pre-existing van or order one in new for conversion. I now know what a pop-top is. For the uninitiated, this is the canvas structure which opens upwards, to enable additional sleeping space in the roof. The attraction of a new converted van is a specification custom-built to your needs. It was evident from the show that camper vans, motorhomes and van conversions are now more popular than ever, with caravans and tents taking a back seat.
As in every field, several motorhome and camper van brands and dealers were promoting eco-friendly features. There are increased numbers of solar panels aboard camper vans. When producing campsite translations, I am ever conscious of promoting eco-friendly approaches. This aspect has become increasingly significant over the last few years. It will be fascinating to see what further initiatives occur in the camper van/motorhome sphere and the camping sector overall going forward.
I also appreciated speaking to potential motorhome and camper van purchasers when looking around. I got a feel for the general demographic in the sector. I don’t wish to offend anybody or generalize in any way. However, it seemed to be mainly couples in their late fifties or retired. Having said that, there were many families with young children (it was half-term week!), Alex Jones and her family are a case in point.
In conclusion
I came away feeling the day had been extremely enjoyable and worthwhile, particularly speaking to the camping organisations and regional groups. I also brought back a wide range of campsite and tourism brochures to review during a quiet period, whenever that may be!
Certain elements in the talks may prove relevant when writing about tourist attractions and European cities. It was lovely to have a day away from the office. I am looking forward to attending similar shows, although perhaps one or two shows in France may be on the cards in the long term!
My sincere thanks to Jane and Magali for allowing me to review the show for Au Courant and to all of you who contributed ideas on how to prepare for the day and what to expect. I look forward to pitching up sometime soon!
Robert Calkin
Freelance Translator and Proofreader, AITI
Robert Calkin is a freelance translator and proofreader with nine years’ experience of working in the tourism and leisure sector. He is a qualified solicitor. An AITI since March 2022, he is passionate about France and the French language, enjoying travel throughout France.
