| Statistics from the latest Barclays Personal | | | | Notes to editors: |
| Loans research shows that over seven per cent | | | | |
| of the UK adult population are active | | | | The survey was conducted amongst a sample of |
| caravanners or campers - equating to over | | | | 5.4 million Barclays current account |
| three million people in England and Wales. | | | | customers analysing spending patterns in the |
| | | | 12 months to July 2007. Of these 365, 000 are |
| Barclays Personal Loans has reported that | | | | active caravanners and campers, identified as |
| spending has also soared in recent years with | | | | those customers that have made payments for |
| campers and caravanners spending an average | | | | camping or caravan holidays, pay a |
| of £382 a year on equipment, holidays, | | | | subscription to a camping or caravan |
| membership and subscriptions relating to | | | | organisation, purchased a caravan or spent |
| camping and caravanning - over 50 per cent | | | | money at camping equipment stores. Amongst an |
| more than five years ago. | | | | active economic population of 45 million in |
| | | | England and Wales this equates to just over |
| The idea that caravanning and camping is a | | | | three million active caravanners and campers |
| passion of older people is laid to rest by | | | | in England and Wales. |
| the Barclays research with almost two thirds | | | | |
| of the segment under the age of 40 and those | | | | About Barclays |
| in their 30's being the most active segment | | | | |
| (26%). | | | | Barclays is a major global financial services |
| | | | provider engaged in retail and commercial |
| According to the research caravanners on | | | | banking, credit cards, investment banking, |
| average are wealthier than the population at | | | | wealth management and investment management |
| large. The average income per head is | | | | services with an extensive international |
| £32,725 compared to £25,400 for the | | | | presence in Europe, the USA, Africa and Asia. |
| population as a whole, making caravanners on | | | | |
| average nearly 30 per cent wealthier than | | | | It is one of the largest financial services |
| non-caravanners. | | | | companies in the world by market |
| | | | capitalisation. |
| Gary Duggan, managing director for Barclays | | | | |
| Personal Loans, said: "It is clear that | | | | With over 300 years of history and expertise |
| camping and caravanning are experiencing | | | | in banking, Barclays operates in over 50 |
| something of a revival, despite the | | | | countries and employs over 127,000 people. |
| distinctly unfriendly camping weather we have | | | | |
| experienced this summer! With holidaymakers | | | | Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects |
| shunning traditional package holidays in | | | | money for over 27 million customers and |
| favour of more independent breaks and keen to | | | | clients worldwide. |
| support the UK tourist industry, camping or | | | | |
| caravanning is a great alternative. Modern | | | | Barclays Personal loans provides personal |
| day caravans now come with all the mod cons | | | | loans, homeowner loans, as well as graduate |
| and luxuries you would expect from a home on | | | | and career development loans and award |
| wheels and caravanners are happy to spend | | | | winning payment protection insurance. |
| large sums of money on them as is evident | | | | Subject to approval. Terms and conditions |
| from these statistics." | | | | apply. |
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