NOVEMBER 2021

'Strong sales and large crowds'

Brisbane event takes a jab at aiding
Qld's domestic tourism recovery

Scott Hopkins and family who bought their first RV at the show

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MORE than 16,000 enthusiasts flocked to the recent four-day Let’s Go Brisbane Caravan and Outdoor Sale.

And in a first or organisers Caravanning Queensland, this year's event at the Brisbane Showgrounds was home to an onsite COVID-19 vaccination site.

Visitors and exhibitors alike took the opportunity to get vaccinated at the Queensland Health pop-up clinic, with more than 120 vaccinations being administered over the weekend.

Caravanning Queensland Trade chief executive Jason Plant said the event's high attendance in 2020 and 2021 showed just how keen Queenslanders were to explore their own backyards.

"This year's attendance exceeded the 2017, 2018 and 2019 figures, a clear indication the caravan industry continues to thrive," he said.

"This year was not only a success because of the strong sales and large crowds that we saw, but also because for the first time ever we were able to offer visitors the opportunity to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

"The caravan industry has played a critical role in supporting local and domestic tourism in Queensland since the pandemic began, supporting Queensland's return to travel with an onsite vaccination clinic was the logical next step."

Scott Hopkins and his family travelled all the way from Hervey Bay for the event, where they bought their very first RV.

"We had been to caravanning shows in Maryborough, but nothing like the Let’s Go Brisbane Caravan and Outdoor Sale," Mr Hopkins said.

He had planned to look at campers and walked away with a Scout-14 off-road hybrid caravan.

"The whole process was very smooth and painless – we were shown the facts, given options and decided that the Stoney Creek was the best option for our family – the indoor shower and ensuite definitely sold us on it.

"The smile on our kids' faces when we put down the deposit was worth a million dollars."

The family plan to travel out West and to Fraser Island, but will first holiday in the RV at either Rainbow Beach or Monto over Christmas.

Chris Mangifesta, from Golf Super Centre, said visitors to the event were educated and prepared to buy this year.

"We had quite a few orders over the weekend, and especially a strong market for motorhomes, as well as people adapting to smaller caravans and campers," he said.

"People were a lot more educated about what they wanted, and we saw a real trend for Australian-built RVs, with buyers wanting to know how and where they were made.

"Some of our visitors had been to previous Caravanning Queensland events, or even to last year's October Sale, and had done their research before making their RV purchase."

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