Around 8% of all UK domestic holidays are taken at holiday centres. This is a large and well-established market approaching 6 million trips a year, but one that has been struggling against long-term decline. The twin challenges have been: changing expectations among the client group; and vastly increased competition, primarily from overseas package holidays.

Recent years have seen huge investments in the holiday centre sector, and the benefits are beginning to come through. The potential new client base is substantial, comprising about 26% of the adult population or 12.7 million people: 17% of the adult population have visited a holiday centre but not in the last two years, and 9% have never visited one but would like to. However, Mintel's research indicates that there has been a decline in interest since 1997: continuing publicity will be necessary to win over new clients and gain recognition of the changes that have been taking place.

Since Mintel last reported on this sector in 1999 there has been a hectic round of acquisitions and buyouts as the major holiday centre brands have changed hands, in some cases several times. Bourne Leisure has recently emerged as the main holiday centre specialist, with an estimated share of the market of over 40%, while the forest village holiday centre market is dominated by Center Parcs.

Other Mintel reports of relevance include:

- Special Report, Holidays - Coping with a Crisis, 2002

- Singles on Holiday, Leisure Intelligence, December 2001

- The Impact of Media on Travel, Leisure Intelligence, December 2001

- Tourism Catering Habits, Leisure Intelligence, December 2001

- Bicycles, Leisure Intelligence, December 2001

- All-Inclusive Holidays, Leisure Intelligence, August 2001

- Camping and Caravanning, Leisure Intelligence, May 2001

- UK Theme Parks, Leisure Intelligence, July 2000

- Short Breaks in the UK, Leisure Intelligence, May 2000

- British on Holiday at Home, Leisure Intelligence, March 2000

-Holiday Bookings, Leisure Intelligence, January 2002

-Holiday Car Hire, Leisure Intelligence, February 2002

-Resorts and Attractions, Leisure Intelligence, February 2002.