RVshare and Campspot released new data finding RV use by younger generations and overall outdoor travel are on the rise.
According to data from RVshare, Gen-Z and millennials are using RVs more than ever. RVshare said data found younger generations are embracing the flexibility RV travel provides, particularly around remote work.
A recent RVshare study found 25% of travelers ages 18-34 took an RV trip in the last year and 47% of younger travelers are eager to take an RV trip in the next 12 months. Also, more than half of all consumers reported taking at least four camping trips each year. The study found 19% of consumers take from seven to 10 camping trips per year.
RVshare said according to the new research, which was conducted by Wakefield Research, 99% of Americans are planning leisure travel in 2023, with 51% planning more than last year. Interest in RV travel is also on the rise, the research found, as 61% report planning to take a road trip or vacation in an RV in 2023, a 13% increase from 2022.
According to the findings, RV travel is seeing a strong increase in interest when it comes to travel planning. Half of survey respondents claimed an RV or motorhome is among their top accommodation preferences. Benefits cited include having a kitchen (61%), less pressure to arrive and depart at a specific time (60%), and the ability to add detours and stops (60%).
“As the travel industry continues to rapidly evolve, we focused our research on uncovering deeper insights into travelers’ preferences, concerns and desires for the year ahead,” RVshare CEO Jon Gray said. “Our findings prove that RV travel is sharply trending forward as more Americans express not only a desire but a preference for this method of travel, particularly for spur of the moment discovery and group travel. Between the flexibility, convenience, and affordability RV travel offers in today’s economic conditions, we are thrilled to see RVing enter the top three accommodation preferences for the majority of Americans.”
The second issue of Campspot’s Outdoor Almanac found 2023 will be another banner year for outdoor travel.
Campspot CEO Michael Scheinman said the company’s data shows campers are expected to be “incredibly bullish” during 2023.
“Despite, or even because of, current economic uncertainty, both current and new, younger campers are eager to take even more trips next year to experience the unique benefits that nature has to offer,” Scheinman said. “We are also seeing travelers turn to camping as a means of keeping costs down as other costs rise. Regardless of the reason, Campspot is committed to making the outdoors more accessible and booking a camping trip easier than ever before.”
Using internal data and a consumer survey, Campspot found 69% of travelers have a top travel goal to find new places to camp next year. More than half ((53%) of campers said their trip budgets are less than $500, making vacationing feasible even as consumers cut travel budgets.
Additionally, 35% of campers seek close-to-home destinations to save money.
Campspot said national and state park visitation is on the rise, with 79% of campers planning to visit a park during 2023. One in five campers reported visiting a national park for the first time last year. The Southeast and West are the most popular regions. Colorado, Montana, Tennessee, Florida and North Carolina are the states campers most want to visit.
For Campspot’s full report, click here.
