New Study Shatters Image of RVers

By 250 News

    New research carried out by  UNBC’s Outdoor  Recreation and Tourism Professor Anne Hardy  paints a very different picture of the RVer.

Conducted at Mile 0  of the Alaska Highway in Dawson Creek, Hardy says  RVers  are not affected by rising gas prices,  are technologically savvy  and are generally misunderstood.

Her study, conducted in collaboration with Texas A&M University, shows RVers:

• seek out  RV Friendly destinations including those that provide adequate parking,  proper signage,  high quality camping, cultural /historic experiences
• RVing is a chosen lifestyle where feelings of freedom and friendship  are central and generally not  affected by gas price increases
• RVers are technologically savvy , use the internet and RV specific  publications to plan their trips well in advance, although they do plan for flexibility, cell phones,  wireless internet, GPS navigation systems, and laptops are extensively used
• more than half of those surveyed had university degrees or  diplomas,
• more than one third had an annual income of $80 thousand or more even though the majority  were retired
• They believe they are misunderstood because of the lack of marketing directly aimed at their lifestyle.

Stats indicate one in every 10 Canadian  families own an  RV, Hardy says  the research shows the RVers have; money to spend, time and a keen interest in engaging with communities "Communities and tourism organizations  must work on making their places more RV Friendly.  Word will get out and the work will pay off."

Hardy  says  the issue of boondocking also surfaced during the study "We found  that only a small percentage of RVers. most of them American, and  most of them  who live on the road full time,  are boon dockers.  It isn’t a big  worry as  they still spend money in the communities  on fuel, food and attractions."

She says  a smart community will  provide a website that  has information specific to the needs of RVers, and  would  make use of the  fact RVers spread information  rapidly amongst themselves"They  tell each other where  the good places are,  where there’s a good place to park or  go for dinner. Anyone planning  a marketing campaign to attract the RVer should think about a tele-friend  program because the RVers do  use word of mouth a lot."

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