Families rediscover holidays on the road
Rising interest rates and household budget strain are sending a growing number of Australian families onto the road, with families now accounting for up to a quarter of the caravan, camping and touring holiday market.
Research also shows that of all the Queensland families which have a caravan, about 42 per cent make one trip each year, 36 per cent make two trips per year and 22 per cent make three trips or more each year.
Caravanning Queensland CEO Ron Chapman said families were rediscovering the freedom, flexibility and affordability of caravanning, camping and touring holidays.
Research also shows that of all the Queensland families which have a caravan, about 42 per cent make one trip each year, 36 per cent make two trips per year and 22 per cent make three trips or more each year.
Caravanning Queensland CEO Ron Chapman said families were rediscovering the freedom, flexibility and affordability of caravanning, camping and touring holidays.
He said the caravan industry had also responded to the growing needs of the market, with Queensland tourist parks providing dedicated children’s facilities and programs.
“While many have an image of the Grey Nomads when they think of caravanning, the fact is families are a large and growing portion of the market,” he said.
“Modern and well-equipped tourist parks are offering school holiday programs with free kids’ activities, wine tasting, bush poetry and other social gatherings, catering to all members of the family.
“Families are realising that they can have a fantastic and memorable family holiday without huge accommodation and entertainment expenses.”
The research findings come as Australia’s largest caravan exhibition, the Queensland Caravan, Camping and Touring Holiday Show, will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year featuring the latest for the road traveller when it rolls into Brisbane from 4 to 10 June 2008.
Last year, 81,211 people visited the show – the biggest crowd in the event’s history.
This year, more than 19,000 new caravans, 2,000 motorhomes and 4,000 tent trailers are expected to be sold in Australia, continuing the double digit annual growth rate experienced over the past eight years.
Today, there are more than 334,000 caravans, motorhomes and camper trailers registered in Australia.
“While many have an image of the Grey Nomads when they think of caravanning, the fact is families are a large and growing portion of the market,” he said.
“Modern and well-equipped tourist parks are offering school holiday programs with free kids’ activities, wine tasting, bush poetry and other social gatherings, catering to all members of the family.
“Families are realising that they can have a fantastic and memorable family holiday without huge accommodation and entertainment expenses.”
The research findings come as Australia’s largest caravan exhibition, the Queensland Caravan, Camping and Touring Holiday Show, will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year featuring the latest for the road traveller when it rolls into Brisbane from 4 to 10 June 2008.
Last year, 81,211 people visited the show – the biggest crowd in the event’s history.
This year, more than 19,000 new caravans, 2,000 motorhomes and 4,000 tent trailers are expected to be sold in Australia, continuing the double digit annual growth rate experienced over the past eight years.
Today, there are more than 334,000 caravans, motorhomes and camper trailers registered in Australia.
