MotorHome, December 11, 2009
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By anyone's standards, 2009 has been a tough year for the U.S. economy. But while most Americans have tightened their budgets in response to job losses, difficulties obtaining credit or simply because of economic uncertainties, campgrounds and RV parks have remained economically resilient.
"We are very grateful for the level of business we've had," said Jayne Cohen, president of Adventure Bound Camping Resorts in Center Harbor, N.H., which owns and operates nine RV resorts in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Arizona. "When we closed down our November numbers," she said, "we were even with last year in revenue."
That's a significant accomplishment, Cohen said, not only in this economy, but also given the fact that most of her company's parks are located in areas that suffered unusually cold and wet weather last summer. "We strongly feel that if we had not had bad weather, we would have been ahead of last year's figures," she said.
Most of the nation's campgrounds, in fact, reported business levels that were stable or slightly ahead of last year's figures, and most private park operators expect their business levels to remain steady or experience continued growth next year.
"I'm very optimistic and very grateful for how we finished out this year," said Mark D. Anderson, president of Camp Chautauqua Camping Resort in Stow, N.Y., adding, "Our reservations are looking very good for next year. We're already just about full for Fourth of July weekend. And to be almost full at this time of year is pretty good."
Across the country, Harriette Groth of SunBasin RV Park in Ephrata, Wash. said she is already receiving reservations for Memorial Day weekend next year. "Two groups have already called in for reservations for Memorial Day weekend. We feel that's encouraging," she said.
David L. Berg, chairman of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, said he is also optimistic about the level of consumer interest in camping next year. "I think we're looking across the country to an improved camping season next year," he said, adding, "The state of the affairs of our economy has not hurt the camping business at all."
Revenues at Berg's own park — Red Apple Campground in Kennebunkport, Maine — were up 8.5 percent this year, compared with last year, and Berg expects the upward trend to continue.
"Our reservations for next year are at least as strong right now as they were a year ago," said Jim Ozburn of Falcon Meadow RV Campground in Falcon, Colo. "I really think the camping business is going to get better. As long as gasoline and fuel behave, those who do the most traveling will still do it."
Ozburn added that he, too, is already receiving reservation requests for next year, which he finds encouraging.
Carolyn Strong, co-owner of Sundermeier RV Park and Conference Center in St. Charles, Mo., is also receiving reservations for next year, including reservations from large rally groups. "We had a tremendous increase in business this year," she said, adding that as of mid-December her park was already running about 10 percent ahead of its business levels in both 2007 and 2008.
Some Sunbelt parks are also reporting strong reservation levels for this coming winter. "Right now, we just finished the best November we've ever had, and our advance bookings from now through March are probably 20 percent over last year," said Doug Shearer, who opened Parkview Riverside RV Park in Concan, Texas in 2001. He expects this winter to be the best winter season he's ever had.
Some park operators remain cautious, however.
Bruce Aljets, who owns Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Sioux Falls, S.D., experienced a 17 percent jump in business this year, despite the recession. "I don't know what to expect next year," he said. "Being in South Dakota, we generally lag behind the rest of the country. But I'm going to hope for the best."
Cohen of Adventure Bound Camping Resorts said her company is optimistic but cautious about the future. "We're very enthusiastic and we're very pleased with the results of this year. But we're not taking anything for granted, either."
From the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds
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