AUSTRALIA'S largest peer-to-peer caravan hire company has expanded into
the UK.
NSW-based Camplify said it would initially focus on helping RV owners to
list their caravans, motorhomes, campervans, trailer tents, static
caravans and holiday lodges for hire on its site.
Founded in Newcastle by Justin Hales and launched across Australia in
2015, Camplify’s online sharing site allows owners to list RVs for hire,
placing all hiring cost in the hands of the owner.
He recalled how he had spent many happy caravanning holidays with his parents as a child and
in adulthood thought he would acquire his own RV.
"I looked at buying a caravan and the investment, then decided it was not
the right decision for me," he told Caravanning News shortly after
his company was launched.
"I thought I would hire one but just couldn't find viable options," he
explained.
So he put on his thinking cap and came up with the idea of peer-to-peer
caravan hire.
The result was Camplify which is now on track to becoming the largest RV
rental fleet in Australia by the end of 2017, overtaking traditional
rental businesses which have been around for decades.
This ominous statistic is not dissimilar to the impact that sharing
economy giant Airbnb has had on the accommodation industry.
Mr Hales said Christopher Laxen was heading up the UK operations.
"I am very excited to see where we can take Camplify in the next six
months," Mr Laxen, who once ran the UK's biggest park network, said.
"The response from other industry leaders has been really positive, so
watch this space."
Mr Hales believes the UK and European markets are ready for Camplify and
will offer another great opportunity for travel.
Britain's National Caravan Council revealed earlier this year that the
UK's caravan and motorhome industry sits at an estimated 550,000 touring
caravans, 330,000 caravan holiday homes and 205,000 motorhomes.
RVs are contributing more than AU$9bn a year to the UK economy, with this
figure continuing to rise.
"With so many people embracing Camplify’s RV-sharing community in
Australia, this move seemed a natural fit," Mr Hales said.
"We're excited to be expanding into the UK marketplace, with European
destinations also looking probable later on."
