Cost of Center Parcs holidays could increase, experts warn
Eloise Hill
Content writerFamilies have been warned that the price of their Center Parcs getaways could go up if the holiday firm is successfully sold by its Canadian owners ...
Families heading to Center Parcs for their holiday have been warned the price of their trip could be about to go up, if the chain is sold by its Canadian owners.
The firm has reportedly been put on sale for between £4bn to £5bn, making it almost double the price it was originally purchased for 8 years ago.
Center Parcs UK and Ireland is currently owned by Canadian private equity group Brookfield Property Partners.
Sale could mean improved facilities
However, while the sale could mean improved facilities for holiday-goers, financial and travel experts have warned it could also lead to a more expensive trip away to make up for the high purchase price.
The holiday company owners are hoping to take advantage of the hike in British families taking staycations, which exploded during the pandemic.
Speaking to MailOnline, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, Paul Charles, said:
'Center Parcs is a very impressive, mass market, lifestyle brand and has grown successfully in the UK in recent years.
'The owners want to take advantage of the enormous demand we're seeing for family-focused, outdoor and adventure-based holidays and sell at the top of the market.'
'It might mean higher prices for holidays'
Explaining that the sale would likely be beneficial for holiday-goers, he said:
'They would likely invest further as part of any sale, and improve facilities markedly across the various Center Parcs sites.
'A sale would also give a fresh impetus to senior management and incentivise them to build the brand further.
'Of course, the downside is also that it might mean higher prices for holidays there as the new owners seek to recover their purchase price.'
Center Parcs has 5 UK sites and 1 Irish location, and brings in millions of holidaymakers to its resorts each year.
But with an already expensive average price £71 per person per night, parents won't be impressed with an increase in price at the popular holiday centre.
Last week, we reported that social media stars The Scummy Mummies had shared a rather extreme method for getting kids into Center Parcs for free.
And, 1 mum has also shared how she's managed to save nearly £10k on family holidays by doing THIS.
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