Campertunity
Locations to stay at are available in remote areas where you can visit places where campgrounds are limited or not available at all.
Words by Steve Fennell
Now more than ever are start-ups in the hospitality, transportation and services industries changing the way we travel and enjoy recreational pastimes. From the dawn of ridesharing services to homestays like Airbnbs comes an evolving trend in the RV space that is making a positive impact.
‘Camping in a shared economy’ is not a new concept in North America. However, Campertunity - a start-up based out of Vancouver, BC - is the only Canadian company of its kind that encourages landowners to permit camping on their private property and introduces enthusiasts to a new way of experiencing the RV lifestyle.
“Campertunity invites people who own land to list their property on our website and allows RVers to book them for short-term stays,” says co-founder Guita Yazdani. “If RVers or tent campers need a place to stay or have trouble reserving a site at a provincial park, this is a great way to connect with nature, avoid the crowds, and relax during your camping experience.”
Campertunity
Unique activities await RVers at select sites. Seen here is Wild Valley Farmz Camping and Events in Chase, BC.
Since its inception in 2018, the company has grown to a listing of several hundred hosting landowners across Canada on its website. What’s more, the campsites are just as diverse as the locations they are situated in.
Yazdani explained hosts range from providing a safe space in urban residential areas to staying at scenic sprawling acreages or farmlands. Some hosts offer services like hookups for power (or other services), yurts, tents, or even RVs to rent on site.
A departure from staying at a conventional campground or provincial park, Campertunity is all about having the chance to see many unique regions and cultures across the country. From farm retreats where guests can interact with animals or pick in-season produce to lone sites in urban areas to rest for the night before moving on, there’s essentially a location for all types of RVers.
Campertunity
Camping and relaxing at a site on private property in Langley, BC.
Another essential feature - similar to Airbnb - is all properties include comprehensive descriptions to determine your budget, the type of accommodation available (e.g. tent only, RVs), accessibility, amenities, activities to enjoy and even the terrain to expect. Reviews and details of availability are listed as well.
One of the most significant benefits is that there are some properties available in areas where camping is limited, not to your liking, or campgrounds are not available at all. Planning to see a music festival in a rural area or a professional sporting event near a big city? Chances are likely you’ll find a property to stay at in your RV.
“We have hosts who offer camping and activities like farm tours, blueberry picking, and private lakes to enjoy,” says Yazdani. “It’s these kinds of experiences that make Campertunity worthwhile. “A lot of RVers also visit from other countries and it allows them to better understand Canada and our culture.”
Campertunity
Unique features can be found at certain locations like this outdoor sauna.
Of course, camping fees are set by the landowners and often based on the amenities and experiences they offer. According to Yazdani, Campertunity has locations that cost as low as $5 to upwards of $130 CAD per night, making it an appealing choice for RVers and a lucrative option for hosts. Nevertheless, the average cost per night is around $25 CAD. Duration and terms of stay are also dependent on the landowners.
“There are landowners that have accommodations in place whether it’s an RV, cabin or yurt and there a wide variety of options,” says Yazdani. “We have one host with a tree house on their land complete with a balcony. In all, there are some great experiences that RVers and travellers can discover.”
How to Become a Host
Landowners can list any property that is large enough to accommodate a tent or RV at no cost and safety for both parties using Campertunity is always a priority. Based on a peer-to-peer rating system, RVers and hosts can write reviews about each other and rank their experiences accordingly. Messaging is also feasible to address any concerns or specific details.
Campertunity
You can also find the utmost seclusion away from the crowds.
The company also strongly suggests that landowners obtain a designated insurance policy in the event of accidents on the property or other mishaps. Campertunity even recommends a preferred provider that can offer reliable coverage only for the nights that guests are visiting. An alternative is to simply get extended liability on an existing home insurance policy (if applicable with the provider).
Payments are processed through PayPal 24 hours after RVers arrive and transferred the Monday after the check-in date. It usually takes two to three business days for payments to be processed.
“Although landowners may be hesitant to open their property to strangers, the best approach is to read our testimonials and reviews, and get comfortable with what Campertunity offers,” says Yazdani. “It just makes sense for RVing to enter the shared economy in Canada. Once landowners and RVers jump into it, they’ll certainly realize all of the benefits.”
For more information visit www.campertunity.com and to see our podcast with an exclusive interview with Guita Yazdani visit us at www.suncruisermedia.com/Home/podcast/s01-e11/