ARVC reports U.S. campground business is stable
The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) is reporting the occupancy rates and revenues at U.S. campgrounds this summer were generally consistent with last year's figures.
"Private park operators are generally pleased with their performance this year," said Linda Profaizer, ARVC president and CEO.
Parks that have embraced the idea of "glamping," or camping without "roughing it," by investing in rental accommodations such as park model cabins and cottages, have done particularly well.
Campground owners report that more frequent, shorter camping trips were common among customers this summer season.
In addition, a large influx of new tent campers seemed to fuel the business.
"Customers get a reasonable-priced vacation and we as an industry get new customers, who if they get the experience they are looking for, they will upgrade in time to a popup or RV of some sort down the road," said campground owner and ARVC chairman David Berg. "This is an example of finding the silver lining in the tough times we are all in economically."
The ARVC also reported that many parks along the Gulf Coast lost considerable summer business as a result of the BP oil spill and related media coverage.
