KOA Visits up this Year
RV Business
When North Americans flock to the Great Outdoors this weekend, their strong numbers will put a cap on a very successful summer season for Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA).
KOA reported in a news release that advanced reservations for the Labor Day Weekend show an expected 5.3% increase in camper nights at KOA’s 485 locations in the U.S. and Canada. That will extend KOA’s string of strong holiday results this year, which are up nearly 8% in camper nights overall for 2015, compared to the same period in 2014.
This year’s strong camping numbers started in May with KOA’s Care Camps Big Weekend, which combines the start of summer with a fundraising weekend for KOA Care Camps for children with cancer, a network of more than 100 summer camps throughout North America.
The May 8-9 event was up more than 2% in camper nights compared to 2014.
Next came Memorial Day Weekend on May 23-25, with a nearly 6% climb in camper nights. Father’s Day Weekend June 19-21 was up about 13% in camper nights compared to 2014, and the July 4 weekend was up more than 5%.
Canadian holidays have also been bright spots this summer. Victoria Day Weekend was up 11.7% in camper nights, and Canada Day on July 1 was up 24% in camper nights.
“All of the stars aligned for KOA camping this summer,” said KOA President Pat Hittmeier. “Low fuel prices and overall favorable weather played a part, but our owners also did a wonderful job of enhancing the amenities and activities at their campgrounds to provide an even better experience for our guests. When you provide campers with a great camping trip, they come back for more.”
In addition, KOA facilities have developed special Fall Festival and Halloween weekends and events that lure more campers to the cooler temps and bright colors of late September and October. These family weekends are likely to drive KOA’s numbers for 2015 even higher.
The “Activities” section on each KOA campground’s page at www.KOA.com details these special fall offerings.
A special KOA Value Kard Rewards Appreciation Weekend on Sept. 18-19 at participating KOAs is also expected to boost results. VKR Appreciation Weekend gives KOA Value Kard Rewards members a free night of camping on Sept. 19 when they stay as paying guests on Friday.
Originally published here.