Have
your say
THE World RV Conference hosted by the Caravan Industry Association
of Australia has been dubbed an "unmitigated success".
Last month's three-day global talkfest in Melbourne focused on worldwide
challenges to the RV industry and their solutions.
It provided an opportunity for international networking and knowledge
sharing for the benefit of the global industry.
With 332 delegates from 16 countries, the third-ever world RV conference
has grown from strength to strength since its inauguration in Dusseldorf
in 2008 and its second-run in Florida in 2012.
"We are very proud to have hosted such a breakthrough event for the
industry globally," Caravan Industry Association of Australia chief
executive Stuart Lamont said.
"The feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positive, with all
delegates enjoying the depth and breadth of discussion that took place.
"We had presenters covering the industry from several vantage points – and
the analysis and description served to highlight emerging opportunities
and challenges that I think all delegates will take home with them."
IBISWorld founder and chairman Phil Ruthven impressed delegates with
global economic and social data and statistics which was cleverly analysed
and delivered.
'Interesting
perspective on how different nations holiday'
|
With an ever evolving global RV industry and a rise in product
importation, presentations on world product standards from Bill Thiel
(Australia), Bruce Hopkins (USA) and Jost Krüger (Germany) offered an
invaluable insight into how they translated on a global scale.
Delegates said presentations from other countries on their markets
provided an interesting perspective on how different nations holiday.
Japan, for example, explained that most RVing was done on weekends and
were short trips, while the 'Lap of the Map' was still achievable in many
Western countries.
There were 35 Chinese delegates at the conference.
Qingheng's presentation showed that while China's industry was small time
now, it has big plans for the future, both in manufacturing and in
creating a touring industry domestically.
China is planning to build 10,000 caravan holiday parks by 2020.
"The aim of the World RV Conference was to create an environment for
dialogue and knowledge-sharing among leaders of the RV Industry
internationally," Mr Lamont said.
"Also to highlight Australia's strong position both domestically and
internationally. We have certainly done that," he added.
Caravan Industry Association of Australia said it was now looking forward
to taking part in the next World RV Conference, to be held in China in
2018.
