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CARAVAN hire and RV sharing community Camplify has made its move in the European market, establishing its first operations in the UK.
The Airbnb-style peer-to-peer camper sharing platform was given a $1.75 million leg up in Australia earlier this year when it was partially acquired by listed giant Apollo Tourism and Leisure (ASX: ATL).
Now Camplify is ready to crack into the UK caravan and motorhome industry which sits at an estimated 550,000 touring caravans, 330,000 caravan holiday homes and around 205,000 motorhomes according to the National Caravan Council (NCC).
Camplify's founder and CEO Justin Hales believes the company's UK offering will be well received off the back of its Australian success.
"With so many people embracing Camplify's RV sharing community in Australia, this move seemed a natural fit," says Hales.
"We're excited to be expanding into the UK marketplace, with European destinations also looking probable later on."
Camplify already has its sights set on partnerships with UK motoring organisations, however Hales confirms its head office will remain on home soil for the time being.
To head up its UK operations the company has appointed Christopher Laxen, who previously ran the overseas Parkdean Resorts network of holiday parks.
The average UK caravanning holiday is estimated to last between four nights and two weeks out of the year, leaving up to 361 days when owners could be earning a passive income.
The NCC reports that 68 per cent of campers are between 30 and 49 years of age and as much as 20 per cent of the camping population has only taken up this way of holidaying within the last five years.
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Business News Australia
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