What if one of the biggest pitfalls of the UK holiday industry, seasonality, could be tackled using one small plumbing device? Jason Paul, the inventor of the Floë Induratec, believes his four-minute drain down process can do just that…
Seasonality and its impact on businesses was highlighted in a recent survey of holiday parks. The UK Caravan and Camping Alliance-commissioned report “Pitching the Value” named it as one of the top six threats to the industry. December average occupancy rates are currently around 12%, reaching a high of 30% in March – for those sites which are actually open.
However, with 42% of holiday parks and campsites now opening all year round, is the tide finally turning on the low season? “Pitching the Value” also identifies extending the season as a major opportunity for the holiday park sector – but Jason believes this will take a change in attitude as well as a change in technology.
He said: “Waiting too late to drain down in autumn and late-March cold snaps catches residents out all the time, but you can’t blame them for wanting a few more weekends in the season. Our product simply allows them to drain before the weather turns and have peace of mind that they are protected. It also offers them the flexibility to use their property in low season and drain when and as often as they wish, avoiding any risks. We recommend draining down in time for Halloween, then it can be done as often as needed over winter.”
“This offers park managers so much more with an extended season – they sell gas and groceries 
and run events at Christmas and New Year for example, and have the park operating all year round, or at least a few more months.”
When a Floë is fitted, the holiday home can be drained down in just four minutes, all from the comfort from inside. Floë also has the benefit of cleansing the boiler as it drains, saving up to 15% on gas.
Drain down technology impacts the whole community Jason says Floë is an ideal opportunity for parks to open longer and is in talks with local councils and tourism boards to help make this happen – especially in rural and coastal locations where the holiday season is relied upon as the main source of income.
Jason said: “Opening all year round or extending the existing season by just a month or two can really boost site income and that of the local economy – on a typical weekend, think how much is spent per person on things like pub grub, grocery shopping and fuel.
“Yes we’re selling a product – but we make a one-off return. However, with being able to extend the season for some residents park managers should be thinking think about what they’ll get in return – more income for the park, happier customers and a bigger benefit for the local community.”
The Floë Induratec 868 costs £234.99 RRP, plus £40 if fitting is needed by the site. This is just the price of a couple of paid-for drain downs and if the residents of statics and lodges and the owners of motorhomes and tourers use it over winter, it will more than pay for itself in the first year.
Having come up with the idea of the Floë drainage system after a leak in his own brand new static caravan in 2008, Jason now sells Floë in 12 UK, European and Scandinavian countries. He is now also in talks with an American distributor to take Floë across the pond to the home of the RV.
He finishes: “Holiday parks can do so much more for the local economy – that’s the crux of what Floë can offer. It’s amazing how one little device can affect a whole community.”
See keepfloeing.com for more information.
