With gas prices once again on the rise, RVIA has collected positive data and RV travel savings information to use in responding to media questions that may be asked of industry spokespeople in the coming months. With the approach of the spring and summer travel seasons, these facts are also suitable for use in consumer marketing communications.
RVIA updates this information on a regular basis. Please visit www.rvia.org for the latest version.
– RV travel is a great value. The PKF Vacation Cost comparison study shows that a family of four can save 23-to-59% on vacation costs depending on the type of trip and type of RV used. A two-person travel party (the typical empty-nest couple) would save 11-to-46%.
– More than 80% of RVers say their RV vacations cost less than other forms of vacation, even when fuel prices rise.
– Many RV owning families take frequent mini-vacations in their RVs. 63% spent five or more weekends in their RVs last spring/summer.
– When fuel prices rise, RVers adjust by traveling to destinations closer to home, driving fewer miles, and staying longer in one place, according to surveys of RV owners conducted by RVIA and CVENT, a leading provider of online surveys and research technology.
– To save on fuel, RVers typically spend more time enjoying the campground experience and less time on the road. More than 16,000 campgrounds nationwide give RVers the flexibility to save fuel and cut costs by staying closer to home. Whether they travel five miles or 500, they can still enjoy a great outdoor experience.
– Fuel prices would need to more than double from their current level to make RVing more expensive for a family of four than other forms of travel, according to PKF Consulting. PKF’s spring 2011 vacation cost comparison study shows that RV trips remain the most affordable way for a family to travel because of the significant savings on air, hotel and restaurant costs, which continue to rise.
– Fluctuating fuel prices affect the cost of all modes of travel and transportation. Airfares and hotel rates rise rapidly when fuel costs increase.
– Many RV owners surveyed take additional measures to reduce fuel consumption through simple steps like driving 55 instead of 65 miles per hour, packing lighter to reduce weight in the RV, and turning off home utilities to save energy when traveling. RVers travel at a leisurely pace with no tight schedules for flights, hotels or restaurants.
For more information, contact RVIA’s Kevin Broom at (703) 620-6003, ext. 304, or [email protected]
