WASHINGTON DC — With Americans changing their summer travel plans due to the pandemic, campsites and RV purchases are exploding in popularity according to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), but campgrounds are racing to keep up with demand for services like WiFi.
“It’s been really incredible what we have seen,” Monika Geraci, RVIA Spokesperson told 104.7 WONK FM’s Jen Richer. “Ever since states really began opening up that six to eight-week shutdown last spring, people have been flocking to RV dealerships.”
With no contact bookings and social distancing much easier outdoors, many are finding camping a safer vacation option. Kampgrounds of America found that one-third of non-campers are considering camping as their primary summer travel activity.
“We attribute that to the freedom, control, and fun that comes from RVing,” Geraci said. “RVing allows you to have the freedom to still travel and thats what we saw in the late spring and over the summer. People still wanted to take that summer vacation, but wanted to do it in a responsible way where they had control over their environment.”
Outdoorsy.com, a site that connects RV owners with prospective renters, says it's seen a 2,600 percent growth in business since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
With such expansion of the camping market, campgrounds are starting to feel the strain on resources, including internet.
Listen to the full interview here:
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