RVshare has released its 2023 Travel Trend Report, chock full of stats on how people are looking to travel in the next year, what kind of trips they’re taking, and what age demographics seem the keenest to take an RV vacation in the next 12 months. Want a glimpse into the travel scene in the New Year to see how your plans stack up? Read on.
The report predicts another major year for travel. According to new research conducted by Wakefield Research, nearly all Americans (99 percent) are planning leisure travel in 2023. The RV travel boom continues to press on with 61 percent planning to take a road trip or vacation in an RV. Travelers are still seeking relaxation and time with family and friends, and work flexibility continues to evolve and become a more permanent lifestyle for many Americans ultimately affecting their travel decisions.
RV travel is mainstream travel
Gone are the days of RVs only being for snowbirds and touring rock bands. More and more people are seeing the appeal of a good old-fashioned road trip and booking an RV is part of many travel plans. RV interest has continued to grow with 62 percent likely to consider renting an RV for a trip in the future, a 9 percent jump from 2022. What are some reasons travelers prefer an RV road trip over other travel options? Not only are they more affordable with no charges for baggage and an onboard kitchen to prepare food on your terms but they make for a more pleasant travel experience allowing you to stop along the way, sit where you’d like, and avoid travel delays.
Other benefits of RV travel that survey respondents found valuable include:
- Greater ability to change the schedule (59 percent)
- Lower costs by avoiding fees for extra luggage (52 percent)
- Allows them to budget around predictable travel costs (47 percent)
- Helps to avoid loud and unruly passengers (47 percent)
- No need for secondary transportation at destination (45 percent)
- Fewer travel delays (44 percent)
- The ability to have no assigned seating (42 percent)
Who is actually renting RVs?
So we know RVing is more popular than ever and spans more demographics, but who is really renting and traveling in them?
Related article: The Expanding Camping Community
One big group that spans across generations is parents. Eighty-one percent of parents are likely to consider renting an RV for a trip in the future. And who could blame them, an RV parked in the driveway alone is pure excitement for kids and it makes for a smooth travel experience. Having a kitchen and bathroom on board, a living space, and cozy beds means your hotel is built right into your vehicle making any stops much more pleasant.
RV enthusiasts span age demographics, with Millennials being the most interested age group followed by Gen X and Gen Z.
Among those who plan to take a trip in an RV in the next 12 months:
- 75 percent are millennials
- 65 percent are Gen X
- 58 percent are Gen Z
- 41 percent are Boomers
2023 travel plans
After the frustrations of travel the past couple of years, people are equally divided in how they want to make up for it with 50 percent planning on keeping things simple and the other half going big and finally hoping to check out some bucket list trips they’ve been putting off. Many travelers are still seeking time in nature and enjoying wildlife (47 percent), prioritizing the importance of enjoying peace and quiet (49 percent), and placing importance on catching up with friends (34 percent).
Hush trips
Another way many are planning to travel is in the New Year? Enter hush trips. Hush trips are enjoyed by remote employees who are leaning heavily into the remote aspect of their jobs by taking vacation time while continuing to work—maybe from a lounge chair by the pool or at a campground with strong Wi-Fi. These employees are still putting in the hours but working from an alternative location where they plan to enjoy leisure activities in their off-hours and don’t feel the need to disclose their location.
Related article: Are New Campers Really Interested in Camping?
Other 2023 travel plans include:
- Annual trips with family and friends (49 percent)
- Laid-back trips focused on relaxation (48 percent)
- Local trips (44 percent)
- Big trips to bucket list destinations (29 percent)
- Cross-country road trip (28 percent)
RVs go beyond camping
While the classic way to take an RV trip is to park it at a campground, there are other places that lend themselves well to an RV.
Related article: RV Sales Continue to Soar and Here Are the Reasons Why
Wakefield Research reveals that travelers are seeking to experience RVs in new ways—beyond the typical road trip. According to RVshare insights, 20 percent of rentals are booked for event purposes like tailgating, auto and aviation shows, music festivals and more.
- 63 percent say they are likely or 100 percent likely to stay in an RV for multi-day festivals, a 10 percent increase from 2022
- 52 percent say they are likely or 100 percent likely to stay in an RV for tailgating events, a 10 percent increase from 2022
- 68 percent say they are likely or 100 percent likely to stay in an RV for trips to national parks, a 10 percent increase from 2022
- 55 percent say they are likely or 100 percent likely to stay in an RV for hobby events, a 10 percent increase from 2022
Delivery is still in demand
First-time RV renters account for one-third of bookings on RVshare. A factor that can deter those inexperienced renters is the thought of having to physically drive the RV. RVshare provides the option for RV delivery, which continues to increase in popularity. Our report found that 79 percent of people think a delivery option would make them more likely to consider an RV trip and 71 percent of parents say they’re much likelier to consider an RV trip if the RV is delivered to their destination.
Related article: Why RV?
Nearly half of RVshare rentals were delivered in 2022 and RV rental deliveries are up increasingly compared to prior years:
- +48 percent since 2021
- +150 percent since 2020
Top delivery destinations include:
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida
- Camperland on the Bay, San Diego, California
- Ginnie Springs Outdoors, High Springs, Florida
- Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida
- Georgia National Fairgrounds, Perry, Georgia
- Lazy L & L Campground, New Braunfels, Texas
The economy isn’t stopping travelers
Survey results reveal that the economy won’t be stopping vacationers anytime soon. Inflation is unavoidable but just 2 percent are likely to cancel their vacation because of it. In fact, 88 percent of Americans are planning to travel as much or more in 2023 compared to last year. Instead, travelers are considering cost-cutting options.
- Would look to cook some of their own meals instead of dining out (57 percent)
- Would travel during the off-season (49 percent)
- Would partake in fewer fee-based activities (43 percent)
Worth Pondering…
Road trips have beginnings and ends but it’s what’s in between that counts.