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Caravanning can tow Australian tourism to recovery
THE CARAVAN industry can drive and lead the road to recovery for domestic tourism, with more than 710,000 recreational vehicles (RVs) set and ready to go.
The recent release of April 2020 Caravan Park Accommodation figures shows a devastating blow to the industry with $208 million in losses for April.
Across Australia in the past month alone, COVID-19 response measures have cost the industry over $208 million and this figure is further inflated by the loss of expenditure that would have been generated by regional tourism and thousands of small businesses.
It also proves the important role caravan and camping trips would normally play for Australians over Easter and Anzac Day long weekends.
Over Easter alone, an estimated 300,000 Australians had their camping trips cancelled, a significant group that deliver direct investment and life into regional Australia.
This revenue has been stripped out of the hands of mum and dad operators throughout the country.
Accommodation data for April 2020 indicates that the caravan park sector, as expected, has been decimated by the COVID-19 crisis.
Caravan park revenue in April across Australia suffered a 90 percent decline from April 2019, which equates to $208 million in revenue lost for the month.
Occupancies fell by 75 percent in cabins and 82 percent in powered sites, and fell a further 89 percent in unpowered sites.
Daily rates across the states also fell, leading to Revenue per Available Site being $12 for Cabins, $2.70 for Powered Sites and $0.59 for Unpowered Sites.
All States were impacted, however the revenue reductions were worst in NSW, where caravan parks revenues decreased by 95 percent compared with April 2019.
Best placed to drive and lead the road to recovery
There are more than 710,000 registered RVs waiting to holiday and stimulate the market. With over 18 million Australians indicating they are connected to the caravan and camping lifestyle, this presents an unrivalled opportunity to be active in market quickly as soon as the time is right.
The potential of the camping sector with its significant interest and audiences puts it uniquely suited to stimulate domestic tourism and provide a lifeline to the thousands of tourism businesses eagerly awaiting a return to business.
The Caravan Industry Association of Australia is calling on all levels of government to consider the caravan and camping industry as part of the solution, to lead the way on the road to recovery of the domestic tourism industry in Australia.
This includes the consideration of Caravan Parks as facilities which can accommodate independent travel in a manageable way, allowing for travellers to get back on the road and spending again as soon as possible to help rejuvenate regional communities who are seriously hurting.
Industry product is uniquely suited to independent trips whereby self-reliant facilities are onboard vehicles such as bathrooms, showers and kitchens and cabin style accommodation is self-contained.
The diverse eco-system of the caravan and camping industry means that it will be resilient through this time and be ready to offer Australians the self-reliant, 'back to basics' experience on short notice when the time is right.
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