Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) reported Independence Day weekend occupancy increased from 2020 and 2019.
KOA said occupancy rose 17% from last year and more than 36% from KOA’s record 2019 figures.
“Last year, the Fourth of July and Canada Day holidays really solidified a turning point for camping coming off of widespread stay-at-home orders in the spring,” KOA President and CEO Toby O’Rourke said. “This year the trend of people wanting to be outdoors and camp is continuing to climb. It is indicative of the continued growth we anticipate in our business and the camping industry for the foreseeable future.”
In Canada, where the recovery from COVID-19 has been slower, occupancy for Canada Day was up nearly 35% from 2020. Although short-term nights still were down about 10% from 2019, KOA said the year-over-year growth pointed toward a healthy Canadian outlook.
KOA reported advanced deposits up 66% over the same time in 2020, before KOA’s best fall on record. Between early September and the end of December 2020, registration revenues were up more than 25% versus 2019.
Year to date, KOA’s short-term nights are up nearly 60% over 2020. Compared with 2019, a record year after nine consecutive years of growth, KOA reported 17.3% growth in short-term camper nights.
