The Canadian Camping and RV Council (CCRVC) presented the third annual Canadian Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo (COHCE) on Feb. 15. Sponsored by Campspot Software, the virtual conference brought together industry leaders, experts, and stakeholders to discuss the latest trends and issues facing the outdoor hospitality industry.
The conference’s keynote session, “Tailwinds and Headwinds,” was given by Toby O’Rourke, Kampgrounds of America, Inc president and CEO. According to CCRV, O’Rourke said that while camping is resilient, several factors could impact the industry’s growth rate in 2023. These headwinds include the economy, lasting Covid effects, labor market issues, site availability and meeting camper expectations. These are countered by tailwinds related to consumers view on camping’s affordability compared to other vacation options, CCRV said.
According to a KOA study, 47% of Canadian camping consumers see camping as a more affordable travel option than most others. O’Rourke further noted camping offers more flexibility for consumers, such as skipping long lines in airports or avoiding flight cancelation risks.
In the session “Tourism Outlook for 2023 and Beyond,” David Robinson, SVP, public affairs and corporate secretary at Destination Canada and Marc Seguin, VP policy and government affairs at the Tourism Industry Association of Canada outlined their national tourism strategies and their impact on the outdoor hospitality sector.
“The third annual installment of the conference was another big success, and we are so grateful to our sponsors, attendees, and presenters for their time, support, and commitment to our industry,” said Cara Csizmadia, member services director for the CCRVC. “The quantity and quality of information and industry-focused training is so valuable to campground owners and operators who work hard to continue to deliver wonderful camping experiences to their guests from coast to coast.”
