2019 NSW caravan and camping holidays are the strongest on record
SYDNEY OCTOBER 2019: The NSW Caravan and Camping sector has recorded its strongest ever performance with more than 4.4 million caravan and camping trips taken in the year ending June 2019, according to new data from Tourism Research Australia (TRA).
This represented a 4.3 per cent increase over 2018 figures and also accounted for a strong growth in visitor nights for the same period, which jumped by 6 per cent to deliver more than 17.4 million nights in NSW.
The 55+ market continued to grow at the fastest rate in NSW, with trips increasing by 11.4 per cent in 2019 (1.44 million trips), although it was the 30-54 year market that accounted for the largest number of trips (1.93million, representing a 2.2 per cent annual increase).
NSW Caravan and Camping Industry Association (CCIA) CEO Lyndel Gray says the strong result comes off the back of a continuing shift in Australian preferences towards domestic holidays.
“Australians of all ages are rediscovering – and redefining the caravan and camping lifestyle as they seek to connect with nature and the outdoors in regional NSW”, she says.
“Retirees, families and young people are camping more often and they are seeking the same fundamentals – a mix of active and relaxing experiences in beautiful natural environments, a chance to kick back and enjoy time with friends and family and a balance to intense busy lives.”
“In response to this multi-generational shift every part of the industry is responding with major new innovations that continue to enhance the holiday experience”.
As examples, Ms Gray listed the new technology being incorporated into the design and build quality of all types of RVs, the massive investment made by holiday parks in upgrading accommodation and incorporating new experience such as glamping, plus the innovations in camping equipment which make it easier and quicker to pack and unpack a campsite.
“This active development by all parts of the industry is paying dividends in terms of catering to changes in visitor preferences,” says Ms Gray.
