Exclusive interview: Stuart Lamont applauds caravan industry’s growth & prepares for an electric future
CIAA, CEO predicts that caravan parks throughout Australia are set to become major electric vehicle charging stations
The Australian caravan industry is chalking up one milestone after another along its rapid upward trajectory. That’s the opinion of Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA), CEO, Stuart Lamont, who presided over the industry’s record-breaking 2024 National Conference held on the Gold Coast in May.
With close to a million caravans, mobile homes and campervans already registered in Australia, Stuart sees continued growth over the next few years and the opportunity for caravan parks throughout Australia to become major electric vehicle charging stations.
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The National Conference at the RACV Royal Pines Resort from May 15 to 17 drew 1086 delegates and 115 exhibitors, and Stuart says it was further confirmation of the strength and support of “a great industry”.
“We wanted to make sure that there was a real groundswell of enthusiasm and excitement about where we sit as an industry and the future opportunities,” he said.
“Our national conference was a vibrant event and we set record numbers with the largest number of delegates ever.
“We wanted it to be an amazing event so that people would lock it into their diary for the future and we’ve done that with 100 extra delegates coming annually for the last five or six years.
“We had exhibitors from federal departments; we had people talking about accreditation compliance; we had water-slide makers; the builders of houses, cabins and tiny homes; we had cab chassis and electrical systems, and almost everything in between.
“It was a real showcase and we wanted people to be exposed to the giant ecosystem that is the caravanning industry in Australia.”
Stuart has just returned from a long holiday with wife Bebe that took in the French Open tennis in Paris, the Greek islands, a Virgin cruise, a visit to Istanbul and Northern Turkey and then home through Singapore.
“It involved a lot of cities, a lot of airports and a lot of crowds, and while it is great to get away there is nothing quite like home,” he said.
“That’s one of the reasons people love our industry so much. With a campervan or motorhome or caravan, the base foundation for a vacation is pretty much stable and it’s usually just a quick pack up and move on to the next destination. It’s far better than tramping around airports, going through security, waiting for the next flight, and so forth.”
His latest data says there are more than 900,000 caravans, campervans and motorhomes registered in Australia, but the uptake is so rapid that he wouldn’t be surprised if the number was now above a million.
“People love their RVs and caravans, they love the lifestyle it represents the ability to go out and explore and spend time with their family and get closer to nature,” he said. “It offers so much freedom and Australia is your oyster – we have some of the greatest locations in the world.
“Caravans and caravan parks are a much more sophisticated product than they were years ago, and consumers have become more discerning – they expect a higher standard of accommodation when they travel these days.
“You can be as luxurious as you want now, but at the same time, you can still enjoy the benefits of a caravan camping holiday with a swag or a tent. You can decide what level you want. It’s like picking your own adventure because there is so much choice.”
Stuart predicts that the network of Australian caravan and holiday parks could be the nation’s “charging network for the future as that product evolves.”
“We’re already seeing a huge amount of investment into our product and that will continue in keeping with some of the most spectacular locations that we have.”
He said he was inspired as an industry leader, not by any one individual but by the “passion and enthusiasm of our operators serving customers”.
“It can be from the most remote caravan parks because the effort these guys put into giving guests a great experience, to make their dreams and holiday memories come alive it’s really inspiring,” he said.
“They are real ‘salt of the earth’ people giving it a crack – people who are genuine and passionate about what they do and they make me enthusiastic for my job and very confident in the continuing strength of the industry.”
This interview was published in our newly published Caravan Industry Spotlight HERE
Grantlee Kieza OAM has won three Queensland Media Awards, two Australian Sports Commission Awards and has been a finalist for the Walkley and News Awards and for the Harry Gordon Award for Australian sports journalist of the year. In 2019 he received the Medal of the Order of Australia for his writing. You can find more of his work in our AccomNews & Resort News print magazines.
He has written 22 acclaimed books, including bestsellers Hudson Fysh, The Kelly Hunters, Lawson, Banks, Macquarie, Banjo, Mrs Kelly, Monash, Sons of the Southern Cross and Bert Hinkler.
