THE ASSOCIATION representing Britain’s £9.3 billion holiday parks industry is now being headed-up by North Yorkshire park owner Thomas Marshall.
Thomas has been elected as national chairman of the British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA) which brings together the owners and managers of some 3,000 UK parks.
He and his family run Riverside Caravan Park in Bentham which is currently celebrating its fiftieth year of welcoming holiday guests to the Yorkshire Dales.
In his new role, Thomas (aged 60) will take on a range of responsibilities, including liaising with government ministers and departments on issues affecting the parks industry.
It’s a task for which he is well qualified having served as the association’s vice chairman for the past three years, as well as its regional branch director for 20 years.
Like the majority of parks in membership of BH&HPA, Thomas’s Riverside Caravan Park in High Bentham has been family owned for successive generations.
It evolved from a beef and sheep farm intouring pitches.
The business, which also owns the 18-hole Bentham Golf Course and adjoining Wenningdale Escapes park is today run by Thomas with the help of his wife Jane, daughter Isabel, and son John.
Thomas says he is proud tor:
“During two challenging years of the pandemic, parks fluctuated between coping with enforced closures and unprecedented demand for domestic holidays,” he said.
“As we emerge from the crisis, it’s becoming clear that many families are keen to continue enjoying a UK holiday experience in the relaxed environment which parks provide.
“But this also presents us with the challenge of ensuring that we carry on delivering a high quality and constantly evolving product to ensure the staycation trend continues.
“I’ve every confidence we can succeed, and BH&HPA provides the perfect platform on which we can all come to help each other.
“Important tourism and engaging with local communities,” said Thomas.
Thomas is himself actively involved in local affairs including 24 years of office on Bentham Town Council where he has served as chairman and mayor on three separate occasions.
He also actively supports many local good causes, from the village’s alms house committee, to helping organise community events such as the annual carnival, and fundraising for various causes.
Recent developments at both Riverside Caravan Park and Wenningdales Escapes have included a £1.5 million investment in new luxury holiday lodges, plus additional fully-equipped glamping pods.
UK holiday parks range from small farm-based camping sites tor spending each year.
There is more information about the park at www.riversidecaravanpark.co.uk