We're merging some sections into the Travel advice area

[MichaelMumsnet]

Hi all,
We’re doing some work on making the Talk boards more useful and user-friendly for both regular and new users. After looking at some stats for the site, we think we could boost activity on the whole by merging some of the lesser used sections.

We’re proposing to fold the topics in this section into the general Travel advice area.

This should increase the number of topics in the section - and hopefully lead to more posts and responses to members.

I think it would be a bad idea.

The volume of traffic isn't the only indicator here.

There are MNetters who are avid campers, and who simply do not want to plough through lots of other stuff in which they have no interest whatsoever, in order to discuss with the likeminded the merits of their new stove or dreams fro a bell tent.

Less used is not a synonym for less valued.

Oh dear .
I get a happy feeling when I scroll through the skiing threads . Why do the subjects need to be combined?

Bad idea - camping is about the kit as much as the travel aspects.

Also, it’s a seasonal topic - always less use in the winter. So traffic volume during the off season is a totally inappropriate indicator

It’ll end up full of people saying ‘I’d never go camping, why sleep in a field?’ On every camping related thread. It’ll be frustrating and drive volume down further

May I raise an objection, @MichaelMumsnet ?

Camping is very different from other types of travel. I really don't want to scroll through posts about people's long-haul trips, all-inclusive holidays to Benidorm etc.

I would support a merge into a general self-catering topic at a pinch.

Thanks for the comments so far. We're very open to all feedback.
What if there was a long-running Camping thread in the Travel advice section - would that work?

No, because you'd have to scroll through loads of stuff to find the posts on the camping-related issue you are interested in.

So, a thread about this year's best buys is valuable in itself, just as a chat about what sort of tent/s you remember from your childhood, or whether a classic (second hand) camping stove is better than current seasons offerings etc. All of those would be diminished when you cannot find the info you want.

It's so much easier and clearer, and useful, to look at thread titles in a topic, and it's a great resource.

I guess you're not a camper, Michael ?

I like being able to pick short haul or long haul. Its a different type of holiday.

I agree completely with RancidOldHag about the long-running thread idea. It would be almost impossible to get answers to questions.

I love the camping section.
I do agree that weekend, general travel, days out could roll together though.
But cruising, long haul and camping are quite specific and also quite marmite!

Skiing also specific and seasonal. Would prefer it not to merge

Nooo! Camping is one of the topics I browse the most, even if I don't post that much. I can see the sense of eg merging long- and short-haul holidays, but camping is a community in itself.

Another no from me. Camping is very different to long haul . I can see the benefit in merging days out and U.K. breaks for example but I agree with everything above

Oh no! Camping is indeed a seasonal topic, little used in winter but invaluable none the less. A single long running thread wouldn't cut the mustard.

It's as much (if not more) about kit and tips than travel.

Please leave the camping section! I hardly post but love browsing, its v useful to keep all the threads together and one camping thread would not work.

Agree with everyone else about keeping camping, skiing, UK, short haul and long haul. Merge the others. ‘Travel advice’ is too generic to be of use,

Please don't. I can only afford to camp, which for me is shit enough already. I don't want to see all the "Help me choose a resort in Jamaica" threads. Can you just get rid of random boards, like "Swine Flu" (health) instead?

Bad idea

Nooo, this is its own community here, it would be a bad idea.

No! Camping should be separate.
1 - I do fuck all else holiday wise and dont need reminding of the fact
2 - camping is about more than travel...it is also about buying ridiculous items (like my new camping toastie maker) and working out the best way to store wine when living in a field.
3 - the best place to find out about the sort of campsite I like is mumsnet. Don't change that please.

Agree bad idea. Camping is a tribe if it's own, as is skiing. Some are members of both but we will all get lost in a gazillion 'best day out in London' threads

Keep the camping thread!

I didn't know there was a camping thread! I'm going to lurk and learn. Thanks for raising awareness of it here.

Please leave Camping alone. It's a useful resource and combining it into general travel would mean people don't get the info they need.