Four Industry Trends Every Campground Should Be Aware Of

The number of campers has increased dramatically over the years, and a recent study by Kampgrounds of America (KOA) shows that there were over 10 million new camping households in 2020. That means that over two-thirds of American households consider themselves campers, with 46% of them going camping at least three times in 2020.

The fallout of the pandemic has made people more eager to escape their homes for more natural scenery. And with the prevalence of remote working, many people are embracing the digital nomad lifestyle and taking “workations” in scenic vistas rather than toiling away in their home offices. The result is that many campers are more likely to increase their camping habits, and RV ownership is becoming more popular, with RV ownership growing by at least two million since 2005.

This is all great news for campgrounds and RV parks, but what can campgrounds do to prepare for this influx of new business, and how can they remain a competitive option for modern campers? Here are four campground industry trends that you can use to your advantage.

1. Campers want to connect when they disconnect.

A large part of the increase in camping’s popularity is due to the introduction of younger and more diverse campers. The KOA report shows that 48% of campers in 2020 were either millennials or Gen-Z, and 37% of campers were people of color—a massive increase over 2012, in which only 12% of campers were people of color.

The market is changing and becoming more universal. New campers mean new expectations. The most classic example is Internet connectivity. Remember when hotels used to try and charge their guests for Wi-Fi connection, and how long that lasted? Not long. Wireless connectivity is now seen as a required amenity, not a service you can charge for.

Studies show that 84% of RV users want internet connectivity while traveling, and 59% said they’ve worked from their RV at least once. This goes back to the digital nomad idea of “workations” and emphasizes how essential Wi-Fi is to many campers. As paradoxical as it sounds, campers want connectivity when they go to disconnect.

To make your campground a hot destination for all these new campers, you’ll want to make sure they have the access they want. That means Wi-Fi extenders and boosters routed throughout your grounds. If that’s not an option, make sure your central cabin area at least has Wi-Fi access, with shaded seating for those digital nomads. In addition, for really remote areas, companies like Starlink are beginning to offer business-level solutions for remote connectivity.

2. Electric vehicles and power consumption are on the rise.

With growing sustainability concerns, rising gas prices and a strengthening electric market, all signs point to an electric vehicle future. Nearly seven million electric vehicles were sold in 2021 alone. It’s not just street car Teslas out there anymore, either. Electric pickup trucks, vans and station wagons are hitting the market.

This transition from gas-guzzling engines to electric motors means fewer emissions but more power consumption. If you’re accustomed to letting guests plug in for free, you might have to reconsider when a fleet of electric vehicles comes rolling in to charge overnight, and you see your next power bill.

The solution is power utility meters. The only fair way to handle the situation is to charge each person based on the amount of power they use. Install utility meters for each site through a company like EKM Metering or Wild Energy. If you really want to future-proof your campground and you have the funds to spare, you could invest in electric vehicle charging stations. In addition, there are grants available. For electric vehicle owners, this will really put your campground on the map.

Read the full article from Forbes here.