RVshare CEO Jon Gray joined the company halfway through its first 10 years in operation. As the company celebrates its anniversary this summer, Gray discussed RVshare’s market growth and the RV industry’s future opportunities.
He said the biggest challenge has been managing all aspects of RV rentals, including insurance, damages and education on RVing.
“RVshare has faced a lot of those roadblocks head-on,” Gray said. “One of our main goals is marketplace health, which includes trust and security, a zero policy for discrimination, well-managed RV rental listings, proper insurance and ongoing education for both renters and owners.”
RVshare has made numerous improvements, Gray said, adding that the most notable was launching the company’s in-house insurance.
As the RV rental market has grown, Gray said the trend likely will continue in the next decade. Among the factors driving growth, he said, are experiential travel and outdoor recreation’s increasing popularity.
“More and more people are seeking unique and immersive travel experiences, and RV travel offers just that,” he said. “Another factor that will continue to work in RVshare’s favor is the rise of the sharing economy. People are increasingly comfortable with the idea of renting out their assets, including RVs, to earn extra income. RVshare’s peer-to-peer model aligns with this trend, and the company could continue to grow as more people look to rent out their RVs.”
The next decade will find RVshare focusing on increasing RV rentals’ growth and awareness in the travel industry, Gray said. He cited KOA’s camping report figures finding 58 million camping households and 11 million RVs as evidence of a long runway for growth.
“With the goal of making renting an RV as easy as booking a hotel room,” Gray said, “we hope to unify booking an RV and campground through integrations and partnerships. Campgrounds continue to expand their offerings, with more and more available RV camping spots and resort-like amenities in desirable destinations. It is no wonder ‘glamping’ is a top choice for U.S. travelers.”
In RVshare’s quarterly travel outlook “The Road Ahead,” the company said recent data found evolving RVing uses. Although RVing traditionally had been confined to campgrounds, the report said, today travelers are using RVs for enjoying festivals more comfortably, tailgating, weddings and honeymoons, motorsports, fairs and more.
“Unique camping experiences, offered by services like Hipcamp and Harvest Hosts, mean parking your RV in the middle of a working farm, brewery, hot air balloon festival or countless other places you never would have dreamed of,” the report said.
The report said 20% of RV rentals are booked for event purposes, including tailgating, auto and aviation shows and music festivals. The number of respondents interested in these events is increasing.
The report found 63% of those booking RV rentals for event purposes are very likely or 100% likely to stay in an RV for multi-day festivals, up 10% from 2022.
Additionally, 52% said they were very or 100% likely to stay in an RV for tailgating events, again up 10% from 2022.
Finally, 55% said they were very or 100% likely to stay in an RV for hobby events.
