Texas Survey Finds Strong Interest in Camping and Regional Travel
Posted on July 30, 2009 at 10:24 am
CROWLEY, Texas, July 8, 2009 ? Most RV enthusiasts in Texas plan to camp at least as much this summer as they did last summer, and nearly half of them plan to camp even more often than last year, according to the latest online survey by the Texas Association of Campground Owners (TACO).
The survey, conducted from early June, found that 45.9 percent of RV enthusiasts planned to go camping even more often than last summer, while 39.9 percent planned to camp as much as they did last summer. Only 14.2 percent said they planned to camp less often than last summer.
“We knew the numbers would be good, but these statistics are even better than we anticipated,” said Brian Schaeffer, TACO’s executive director and CEO, adding that camping remains the most affordable vacation option for consumers.
Rising fuel costs and the economic downturn have had an impact on people’s travel plans, however. Nearly 55 percent of survey respondents said they were taking shorter trips and staying at campgrounds for longer periods of time to reduce their travel costs, while 45.2 percent said they hadn’t scaled back their travel plans at all.
Looking at Texas RVers in general, 53.8 percent said they planned to do their camping in the Lone Star State, while 35.3 percent planned to visit surrounding states and 10.9 percent planned to take cross-country trips. Parks in Texas are reporting that as much as 70% of their business is in-state campers.
In terms of equipment, nearly half of the survey respondents (45.2 percent) said they camp in a travel trailer or fifth wheel, while 24.4 percent use a tent, 22.4 percent use a motorhome and 7.9 percent travel with a pop-up tent trailer. Just over 3 percent of survey respondents said they planned to rent an RV this summer, while 14.5 percent planned to rent a cabin or park model.
Most RVers also said they traveled with friends and family:
- 37.3 percent with their children
- 14.2 percent with grandchildren
- 12.5 percent with extended family
- 14.2 percent with friends.
Just over one fifth of RVers (21.8 percent) said they traveled only with their spouse.
The survey, conducted through www.texascampgrounds.com, generated 913 responses, Schaeffer said.
The Texas Association of Campground Owners markets more than 400 private campgrounds and RV resorts through TexasCampgrounds.com, which shows up #1 in Google searches as people search for ‘campgrounds in Texas’.
For campground sources, statistics and other information about camping trends in Texas, please contact Brian Schaeffer at (817) 307-0129 or visit www.TexasCampgrounds.com.
The survey, conducted from early June, found that 45.9 percent of RV enthusiasts planned to go camping even more often than last summer, while 39.9 percent planned to camp as much as they did last summer. Only 14.2 percent said they planned to camp less often than last summer.
“We knew the numbers would be good, but these statistics are even better than we anticipated,” said Brian Schaeffer, TACO’s executive director and CEO, adding that camping remains the most affordable vacation option for consumers.
Rising fuel costs and the economic downturn have had an impact on people’s travel plans, however. Nearly 55 percent of survey respondents said they were taking shorter trips and staying at campgrounds for longer periods of time to reduce their travel costs, while 45.2 percent said they hadn’t scaled back their travel plans at all.
Looking at Texas RVers in general, 53.8 percent said they planned to do their camping in the Lone Star State, while 35.3 percent planned to visit surrounding states and 10.9 percent planned to take cross-country trips. Parks in Texas are reporting that as much as 70% of their business is in-state campers.
In terms of equipment, nearly half of the survey respondents (45.2 percent) said they camp in a travel trailer or fifth wheel, while 24.4 percent use a tent, 22.4 percent use a motorhome and 7.9 percent travel with a pop-up tent trailer. Just over 3 percent of survey respondents said they planned to rent an RV this summer, while 14.5 percent planned to rent a cabin or park model.
Most RVers also said they traveled with friends and family:
- 37.3 percent with their children
- 14.2 percent with grandchildren
- 12.5 percent with extended family
- 14.2 percent with friends.
Just over one fifth of RVers (21.8 percent) said they traveled only with their spouse.
The survey, conducted through www.texascampgrounds.com, generated 913 responses, Schaeffer said.
The Texas Association of Campground Owners markets more than 400 private campgrounds and RV resorts through TexasCampgrounds.com, which shows up #1 in Google searches as people search for ‘campgrounds in Texas’.
For campground sources, statistics and other information about camping trends in Texas, please contact Brian Schaeffer at (817) 307-0129 or visit www.TexasCampgrounds.com.
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