Queensland needs to cash in on cashed up RV travellers
Queensland’s ambition to double its overnight visitor spend by 2020 is poised to get a major boost if it places priority on the burgeoning recreational vehicle market.
“RV travellers currently spend over $5 billion nationally each year, with over $3 billion of that being spent in Queensland; 20% of the state’s tourism income. Yet with baby boomers only just hitting retirement age, we are perched on the crest of a tidal wave,” said Ken Kipping, director of the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia.
The oldest baby boomers turn 66 this year, indicating that there is a large population of Australians on the cusp of retirement who are healthier, wealthier and more active than previous generations. With the mining boom dominating accommodation in many central and south east Queensland regional towns, RVs offer a new wave of visitors who aren’t reliant on commercial accommodation.
“The backpacker market used to endure a lack of recognition until the research showed that, like RV travellers, they stay for a long time, spend on high value tours and local services,” said Mr Kipping.
Recreational vehicles, such as campervans, motorhomes, caravans and camper trailers are being produced in record numbers. Current trends indicate that over 100,000 new vehicles will be built over the next five years – a boon for manufacturers and accessory suppliers.
It is estimated caravan parks provide accommodation for around a third of recreation vehicles, so what we need is more non-commercial and other low cost accommodation that provide parking for a maximum of 48 hours and dump points for black waste,” said Mr Kipping.
A 2010 survey undertaken by Balfour Consulting for CMCA showed 27% of travellers have difficulty finding non-commercial accommodation and 25% have difficulty finding caravan park accommodation.
“The vast majority of our vehicles are self-contained, with on-board toilets, showers, freshwater storage and solar panels to charge deep cycle batteries. We are extremely environmentally aware, and only leave our tyre tracks behind.
“RV travellers will spend around $15,000 to $20,000 per vehicle on an average stay of 156 days. This results in a significant injection of cash into regional and remote towns. A modest investment by local and state government into rest areas and low cost non-commercial accommodation with waste services will attract significant interstate and overseas RV travellers to regional towns,” said Mr Kipping.
CMCA advocates that the Queensland state government should change its caravan park policies to allow councils to provide accommodation for RVs in country showgrounds, racetracks, local and state reserves when not in use.
“RV travellers aren’t looking for a free ride; they are prepared to pay for access to non-commercial accommodation. The bottom line is they are looking for an authentic regional experience. This may include the ability to camp in national parks, on creek flats, in rural properties, go to country races, agricultural shows and rodeos,” said Mr Kipping.
The 27th National CMCA Rally will be held at Boonah Showgrounds from October 15 to 21.
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