RV TRAVELERS: THEIR LOVE AFFAIR HEATS UP THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY
According to a recent article posted on TravelMole.com, despite rising gas prices, the RV industry continues to make steady inroads in the US travel industry; the latest industry figures show the industry had the best sales year in three decades. Campgrounds have reported full occupancy even though RV’s typically get less than 10 miles per gallon of gas. A recent survey also found that two thirds of owners plan to use their RV more this spring and summer. Only 4% say they use it less. According to the Outdoor Recreation Network, RV ownership has reached record levels. Some 7 million households, or one in 12 US vehicle owning-households, now own an RV.
“Our industry is coming into its sweet spot for growth as population and demographic trends favor long-term RV market growth. Buyers aged 35-54 are the largest and fastest growing segment of RV owners,” said Jim Johnson, an executive with a major RV company.
A recent survey by RV News found that fuel prices would need to triple from their current level to make RVing more expensive for a family of four than other forms of travel, according to PKF Consulting. Their 2005 vacation cost comparison study shows that RV trips remain the most affordable way for a family to travel because of the significant savings on hotel and restaurant costs.