SEPTEMBER 2020
     

'We are optimistic about the future''

Bright future ahead as COVID 'brakes' released on caravanning industry

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DESPITE the deadly COVID virus putting the brakes on caravanning and camping this year there is still a bright future ahead, according to the industry's peak body.

"We are optimistic about the future of the caravan and camping industry, especially as Australians look to support local business, reconnect with loved ones and spend time in nature after such a challenging year," Caravan Industry Association of Australia chief executive Stuart Lamont explained.

His prediction comes after the newly released State of Industry 2020 Report outlined the industry's past performance and highlighted the opportunity for it to drive recovery.

Statistics show that for the first time caravanning and camping was the most popular holiday type for Australians last year, with 60 million holiday nights and 14 million trips.

Reflecting on the fact there are 24.8 million Australians and 8.4 million households, caravan and camping holidays has become an integral part of our national travelling behaviour.

Without a doubt, the industry has recently been overshadowed by an uncertain world where a devastating bushfire season coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic has firmly applied the brakes on what was an incredible period of growth for Australia’s caravan and camping industry.

Mr Lamont, said that while looking back at 2019 might seem unimportant in the current climate, the year marked important milestones for the industry.

It was the year that according to Tourism Research Australia, caravan and camping became the most popular holiday type for Australians.

This was no easy achievement when the significant competitive nature of the tourism sector was considered.

The State of Industry 2020 Report provides an important benchmark and highlights the importance of the caravan and camping sector to the performance of Australia’s visitor economy, bringing together the many different sectors and operating conditions relevant to the caravan and camping industry

Reflecting on the year prior helps to paint a picture as to the wide-reaching positive impact the industry has on regional Australia and the manufacturing industry.

The caravan and camping industry is incredibly well placed to drive tourism and economic recovery through encouraging job creation, creating strong value chains and supporting regional economies.

Since 2010 the market has grown by:

•       an additional 5.5 million caravan and camping trips.
•       an extra 17.3 million nights spent caravan and camping annually.
•       over 196,000 recreational vehicles have been manufactured and registered.

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