Cdn. RV Rentals on Track for Record Year
RV Business
The RV Rental Association of Canada (RVRAC) announced that RV rentals are “shaping up to be one of the best on record,” reported Lineke Kereluk, president of RVRAC and VP, RV Rentals at Fraserway RV.
Robust demand from the UK, central Europe and Australia is driving RV rentals and campground occupancy to new levels across Canada.
“We had the best winter, and now spring occupancy is up 24% for the busiest start ever,” Kim Van Dyk, general manager of Burnaby Cariboo RV Park in Vancouver, reported in a press release. Anne Philley, spokesperson for the BC Lodging & Campgrounds Association acknowledged that their members are seeing “phenomenal demand due to favourable weather this spring”.
Cory Kauffmann, director of international marketing at Cruise Canada, reported that forecasted rental traffic for this summer is better than in 2014, which makes it one of the stronger seasons in nearly a decade.
“We are seeing more rapid development of the Chinese market with small escorted groups now touring the Canadian Rockies to experience our outdoor lifestyle with visits to natural attractions and national historic sites”, said Brian Gronberg, CEO of Canadream.
One-way rentals for repositioning new motorhomes from Toronto to Calgary and Vancouver are fully-booked.
RVRAC is active in supporting Canadian Camping Week and the Learn-to-Camp programs sponsored by Parks Canada. The association is also providing motorhomes for a German familiarization tour sponsored by Travel Alberta. RVRAC offers a 10% off-season discount at participating private campgrounds in Alberta and BC.
Besides being self-sustaining for food and beverage on the road, RV guests enjoy dining out, city sightseeing tours, stopping at roadside attractions, historic sites, and take in a variety of adventure activities in all provinces. More overseas visitors combine extended holidays with rail and cruise vacations.
In addition, RVRAC is welcoming new associate members who provide outdoor activities and attractions of interest to this large tourism market. Vancouver is by far the favorite pickup point for all of North America, followed by San Francisco, Los Angeles and Calgary.
Members of RVRAC are Canadream, Cruise Canada, Fraserway RV and Westcoast Mountain Campers who operate a total fleet of 3,000 campers and motorhomes from rental stations in Vancouver, Calgary, Whitehorse, Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax. The RV rental industry accounts for more than 385,000 equivalent hotel nights in national and provincial parks, municipal and private campgrounds across Canada. Burnaby Cariboo RV Park and KOA Kampgrounds are founding members of RVRAC.
Originally published here.