National Canadian Camping Week

BC Lodging & Campgrounds Association

Planning for the first ever National Canadian Camping Week is underway. The Canadian Camping and RV Council is working with associations in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick on hosting promotions and events at campgrounds across the country to celebrate the Canadian camping experience. In British Columbia BCLCA is the lead organization with the support of the Camping and RVing BC Coalition.

The Promotion

The first ever Canadian Camping Week is scheduled to run from May 19-24, 2015 and will culminate in a special offer for two-nights camping at $50, at participating campgrounds (May 22-23/Fri-Sat). In BC, as well as the May weekend offer, we are also planning to promote a “Five Night for price of Four” stay from May 19–23, 2015 (Tues-Sat).

The national event also has an Appreciation Weekend planned for two nights (Fri/Sat) for $50 September 11-12, 2015, the weekend after Labour Day. The two dates will be celebrated by hundreds of campgrounds across Canada offering these discount(s) and/or events.

How can you participate?

There is no fee to participate but Campgrounds and RV Parks are required to offer either two nights for $50 plus tax or 5 nights for the price of 4 for the Canadian Camping Week in May. Participation in the Fall weekend promotion, after Labour Day, is optional but must be the two nights for $50 plus tax. Consumers will contact you directly and request the promotion.  Individual campgrounds and RV parks are responsible for their guest reservations and managing inventory.

As well as the promotional price, many campgrounds are organizing events during the camping week and we would like to promote these too!

Purpose

Main objectives of the promotions:

  • Fill empty campsites during the low season.
  • Promote the camping sector.
  • Promote the lifestyle associated with camping and RVing.
  • Support marketing efforts of campgrounds, RV dealers and RV manufacturers.
  • Raise awareness of the economic impact and community benefits that the camping and RV industry generate.

Consumer Marketing

The Canadian Camping and RV Council has purchased the URL Campingweek.ca and will be developing a national portal website by April 2015 to promote all participating campgrounds. In British Columbia the Camping and RVing BC Coalition have agreed to invest $10,000 in promoting the events. Tactics will include:

  • Advertising – Super Camping and Go Camping Guides – 400,000 guides
  • Campingrvbc.com - with 100,000 visitors annually, will promote the participating campgrounds’ discounts by listing properties on the “Where to Camp“ google map and post events.
  • Travel-british-columbia.com - with 370,000 visitors annually, will promote the participants discount(s) and their events.
  • Media - access to provincial and national publications, with a target of reaching over 1,000,000 readers.
  • Social Media – Facebook, LinkedIn and twitter channels including, Camping RV BC, Travel British Columbia, BC Parks, Destination British Columbia, Go RVing.
  • Consumer e-newsletters – invitation to participate will be distributed to a list of over 8,000 subscribers.

So why not join in as we launch the inaugural Canadian Camping Week and Fall Appreciation Weekend!  Email info@bclca.com for more information or to register, by Tuesday, March 31, 2015.