Outdoor Hospitality News
For owners, operators, team members, and anyone else interested in camping, glamping, or the RV industry.
News for December 19, 2025
French startup Mycea is bringing a science-based approach to soil management at campgrounds, offering a localized fungi service designed to improve plant health while helping operators reduce water use and maintenance costs.
Winnebago Industries announced that its Winnebago, Newmar, and Grand Design brands earned multiple industry awards tied to the 2026 model year, highlighting continued recognition for innovation, design, and product development across its premium RV portfolio.
Kampgrounds of America (KOA) reported shifting patterns in winter camping and snowbird travel, with new research showing more Canadian campers choosing international destinations outside the United States while interest in outdoor accommodations remains strong.
Insider Perks has released “Fully Booked for Christmas,” the outdoor hospitality industry’s first AI-generated holiday album, offering 11 tracks that blend humor, heart, and campground-specific holiday chaos.
Kits Coty Glamping and a member of its housekeeping team were both recognised at the 2025 Beautiful South Tourism Awards, reflecting a continued focus on service quality and staff contribution within the regional tourism sector.
Campground owners and operators are being urged to rethink how their businesses appear online as artificial intelligence reshapes traveler search and booking behavior, according to insights shared during the latest CampVantage Live session.
The Original Pittsburgh RV Show will return to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for two weekends in January, bringing RV dealers, campground operators and outdoor hospitality suppliers together for a large-scale consumer marketplace ahead of the 2026 travel season.
Wild Glamping Gal Oya and Amba Yaalu, Kandalama were among the projects recognised at the SLTC Research and Innovation Awards 2025 for their research-driven approaches to sustainability, community engagement, and inclusive tourism development.
The RV Industry Association’s Government Affairs team hosted a Capitol Hill reception on December 15 to highlight the recreational vehicle industry’s achievements in 2025 and engage lawmakers on key policy priorities, including economic impact, job creation, and emerging camping technologies.
State parks across Virginia will mark New Year’s Day 2026 with statewide First Day Hikes, offering visitors free parking and a range of guided and self-guided outdoor activities. The annual initiative, led by America’s State Parks, invites hikers of all skill levels to explore Virginia State Parks on Jan. 1 while kicking off the year with outdoor recreation.
The RV Technical Institute (RVTI) showcased the growing career opportunities in RV service to more than 6,500 education professionals at the Association for Career and Technical Education’s CareerTech Vision Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, December 9–12.
French startup Mycea is bringing a science-based approach to soil management at campgrounds, offering a localized fungi service designed to improve plant health while helping operators reduce water use and maintenance costs.
Winnebago Industries announced that its Winnebago, Newmar, and Grand Design brands earned multiple industry awards tied to the 2026 model year, highlighting continued recognition for innovation, design, and product development across its premium RV portfolio.
The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation is offering a limited-time 25 percent discount on select cabins, yurts, and RV sites at five state parks from December 16 through January 4, providing campers with a more affordable way to experience Idaho’s winter landscapes.
The Green Bay RV & Camping Expo, presented by Kunes RV of Green Bay, will return January 29 through February 1, 2026, offering four days of RV deals, campground showcases, and programming that draws thousands of outdoor enthusiasts to the region.
Kits Coty Glamping and a member of its housekeeping team were both recognised at the 2025 Beautiful South Tourism Awards, reflecting a continued focus on service quality and staff contribution within the regional tourism sector.
Campground owners and operators are being urged to rethink how their businesses appear online as artificial intelligence reshapes traveler search and booking behavior, according to insights shared during the latest CampVantage Live session.
The Original Pittsburgh RV Show will return to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for two weekends in January, bringing RV dealers, campground operators and outdoor hospitality suppliers together for a large-scale consumer marketplace ahead of the 2026 travel season.
Wild Glamping Gal Oya and Amba Yaalu, Kandalama were among the projects recognised at the SLTC Research and Innovation Awards 2025 for their research-driven approaches to sustainability, community engagement, and inclusive tourism development.
Campground owners and operators are being urged to rethink how their businesses appear online as artificial intelligence reshapes traveler search and booking behavior, according to insights shared during the latest CampVantage Live session.
The Original Pittsburgh RV Show will return to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for two weekends in January, bringing RV dealers, campground operators and outdoor hospitality suppliers together for a large-scale consumer marketplace ahead of the 2026 travel season.
State parks across Virginia will mark New Year’s Day 2026 with statewide First Day Hikes, offering visitors free parking and a range of guided and self-guided outdoor activities. The annual initiative, led by America’s State Parks, invites hikers of all skill levels to explore Virginia State Parks on Jan. 1 while kicking off the year with outdoor recreation.
The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation is offering a limited-time 25 percent discount on select cabins, yurts, and RV sites at five state parks from December 16 through January 4, providing campers with a more affordable way to experience Idaho’s winter landscapes.
Parks Canada is bringing back the Canada Strong Pass for the 2025–26 holiday and summer seasons, offering free admission to all national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas it operates, along with a 25 percent discount on camping and roofed accommodations.
Saskatchewan Provincial Parks are highlighting a range of winter recreation offerings this season, encouraging residents and visitors to view provincial parks as year-round destinations for outdoor activities, overnight stays and seasonal events across the province.
Kits Coty Glamping and a member of its housekeeping team were both recognised at the 2025 Beautiful South Tourism Awards, reflecting a continued focus on service quality and staff contribution within the regional tourism sector.
Wild Glamping Gal Oya and Amba Yaalu, Kandalama were among the projects recognised at the SLTC Research and Innovation Awards 2025 for their research-driven approaches to sustainability, community engagement, and inclusive tourism development.
French startup Mycea is bringing a science-based approach to soil management at campgrounds, offering a localized fungi service designed to improve plant health while helping operators reduce water use and maintenance costs.
Insider Perks has released “Fully Booked for Christmas,” the outdoor hospitality industry’s first AI-generated holiday album, offering 11 tracks that blend humor, heart, and campground-specific holiday chaos.
A military-themed glamping resort in Lonavala is offering outdoor hospitality operators a real-world example of how niche positioning, limited inventory, and experience-led programming can shape a differentiated business model.
Outdoor Hospitality Industry concluded its eighth Washington, D.C., advocacy fly-in of 2025 last week, bringing 24 campground owners, operators, and executives to the nation’s capital to meet directly with federal lawmakers and advance policy priorities impacting private campgrounds and RV parks.
Insider Perks, a marketing and technology company specializing in the outdoor hospitality industry, today published the AI-Ready Website Standard—the first comprehensive framework for evaluating and optimizing campground, RV park, and glamping resort websites for AI-powered travel discovery.
Montenegro remains one of Europe’s most affordable camping destinations, with an average overnight stay for two adults, including plot, vehicle, electricity, and taxes, at 15.58 euros, according to a survey by Camping.info.
OHCE 2025 brought together campground owners, RV park operators, and suppliers for a week of education, networking, and business development, generating strong engagement and more than $18 million in new business for exhibitors.
CampVantage Live, a free weekly educational series for campground owners, RV park operators, and glamping resort managers, underscored the role of artificial intelligence in strengthening marketing strategies and elevating guest experiences during its December 9 session.
The council will review the application in the coming months as part of the standard planning process. If granted permission, the development could contribute to expanding Castletown’s lodging capacity while supporting continued visitor activity in the wider Tara area.
Americans are entering 2026 with strong travel intentions, as a new Marriott Bonvoy survey shows that 91% plan to take trips in the coming year and many are prioritizing experiences such as road trips, weekend getaways, and time with loved ones.
The Original Pittsburgh RV Show will return to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for two weekends in January, bringing RV dealers, campground operators and outdoor hospitality suppliers together for a large-scale consumer marketplace ahead of the 2026 travel season.
The RV Industry Association’s Government Affairs team hosted a Capitol Hill reception on December 15 to highlight the recreational vehicle industry’s achievements in 2025 and engage lawmakers on key policy priorities, including economic impact, job creation, and emerging camping technologies.
The RV Technical Institute (RVTI) showcased the growing career opportunities in RV service to more than 6,500 education professionals at the Association for Career and Technical Education’s CareerTech Vision Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, December 9–12.
Winnebago Industries announced that its Winnebago, Newmar, and Grand Design brands earned multiple industry awards tied to the 2026 model year, highlighting continued recognition for innovation, design, and product development across its premium RV portfolio.
The Green Bay RV & Camping Expo, presented by Kunes RV of Green Bay, will return January 29 through February 1, 2026, offering four days of RV deals, campground showcases, and programming that draws thousands of outdoor enthusiasts to the region.
Storyteller Overland has launched the nVader product line, a new suite of rugged, bolt-on accessories designed to enhance durability and performance for expedition-ready adventure vehicles, with the full lineup debuting on the 2026 BEAST MODE flagship model.
Cincinnati-based Remote Vans has teamed up with Northern Idaho outfitter Yozzy Overland, giving Mountain West van enthusiasts access to its premium Class B adventure vans designed for off-grid travel and the “Work, Play, Travel … Anywhere” lifestyle.
Good Sam, a subsidiary of Camping World Holdings, has expanded its partnership with fintech lender Octane Lending, Inc. to increase RV loan origination volumes across nearly 200 Camping World dealerships and its digital buying platforms.
Cowboy Trail RV has officially opened its 2025–2026 winter storage season, offering a range of secure outdoor stalls and heated indoor units for RVs, trailers, and boats as Alberta enters another stretch of freezing temperatures.
RVshare, the largest online community for RV renters and owners, unveiled its 2026 Travel Trend Report, revealing that U.S. travelers are prioritizing flexible, cost-conscious, and personalized trips—trends that could shape demand at campgrounds and RV parks in the year ahead.
The RV Industry Association (RVIA) has appointed Kennedy Solomon as its new Manager of State Affairs, adding legislative expertise to its government affairs team responsible for engaging state lawmakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders. In this role, Solomon will work with partners nationwide to advance policies that support RV business growth.
General RV Center has appointed former Lazydays RV Chief Operations Officer Amber Dillard as a sales director on its corporate sales team, a move aimed at strengthening strategic sales and market share growth across its national dealership network.
The RV Industry Association will feature leadership expert Todd Gongwer as a keynote speaker at its 2026 Leadership Conference, March 10–12. Gongwer will share insights on leadership, organizational culture, and purpose-driven work with executives and emerging leaders from across the RV industry.
THOR Industries, Inc. (NYSE:THO) reported better-than-expected first quarter fiscal 2026 results on Thursday, with revenue rising 11.5% year over year to $2.39 billion as the recreational vehicle manufacturer gained market share despite persistent consumer headwinds.
TechnoRV is gearing up for a busy winter season with scheduled appearances at major equestrian and RV events in Las Vegas, Florida, and Arizona, where the company plans to showcase its safety products to new audiences while reconnecting with long-time customers across the outdoor travel industry.
Go RVing’s “Ultimate RV Tailgate” campaign will conclude this Saturday, December 6, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, giving college football fans a chance to experience RVs as mobile hubs for tailgating, complete with interactive activations, giveaways, and a display of the latest models in RV Nation.
State parks across Virginia will mark New Year’s Day 2026 with statewide First Day Hikes, offering visitors free parking and a range of guided and self-guided outdoor activities. The annual initiative, led by America’s State Parks, invites hikers of all skill levels to explore Virginia State Parks on Jan. 1 while kicking off the year with outdoor recreation.
Staunton River Battlefield State Park is lighting up the holiday season with the return of its annual Lighting of the Bridge event, featuring new decorations, festive activities, and family-friendly fun from Dec. 12–14.
Bear Creek Lake State Park is set to sparkle once again as the annual Lights at the Lake returns for its 11th year, offering families a festive drive-through display of holiday lights, community exhibits, and seasonal activities on December 5-7 and 12-14.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has acquired the 455-acre Lake Caledon property, expanding Caledon State Park by 20% through a partnership of local, state, and federal organizations dedicated to conservation and recreation.
Airxcel introduced new exterior components from its Velarium and Cleer Vision Doors brands during the 12th annual New Product Showcase, showcasing innovations designed to enhance safety, functionality, and style in recreational vehicles.
At the upcoming RV Dealers Convention/Expo in Las Vegas, a panel of industry experts will lead a workshop on November 11 to demonstrate how artificial intelligence (AI) is being applied by RV dealers to improve sales, service, and customer engagement.
Ken Barnes, director of sales for DealerPRO RV Training, will lead two workshops at the 2025 RV Dealers Convention/Expo in Las Vegas, offering strategies to boost fixed operations profitability and strengthen customer retention.
More than 30 Vendor Training +Plus sessions are set for the 2025 RV Dealers Convention/Expo, giving dealership professionals the chance to explore new products, services, and strategies from leading industry providers during the Nov. 10–14 event at Paris Las Vegas.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, has awarded grants to 12 projects through the Recreational Trails Program, providing more than $1.7 million to support the construction and rehabilitation of trails and related facilities across the commonwealth.
A public information meeting on the 10-year master plan for Powhatan State Park will take place Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Powhatan Village Building Auditorium, giving residents an opportunity to learn about proposed developments and provide input on the park’s future.
The British Columbia Lodging and Camping Association (BCLCA) has partnered with Acera Insurance Services Ltd. and Western Financial Group to expand insurance options for its members, offering tailored brokerage solutions designed to provide greater flexibility, competitive coverage, and value across the province’s outdoor hospitality industry.
Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park will host its 6th annual Butterflies on the Battlefield Pollinator and Nature Festival on Aug. 23, offering free, family-friendly activities that highlight the importance of pollinators through educational programs, nature walks, and craft activities.
Campspot, a reservation software provider for campgrounds, has announced a new integration with Iterable, an AI-powered cross-channel marketing platform. This collaboration enables multi-park operators and marketing teams to sync guest and reservation data directly into Iterable’s advanced system.
RoverPass’s new “Escape the Chaos” campaign brings the stress of running a campground to life through humor, animation, and a not-so-cuddly Chaos Monster—showing owners they’re not alone and that smarter, AI-powered solutions are on the way.
Campground owners across the U.S. can now join OHI or their state association independently, following a major shift to a direct membership model. While the move sparked mixed reactions, both OHI and state leaders agree on one goal: supporting park owners through tailored benefits, advocacy, and collaboration.
June is Parks and Recreation Month, celebrating the numerous benefits of parks and outdoor recreation spaces. This initiative encourages communities to engage in diverse outdoor activities, promoting physical, mental, and community health while supporting economic growth and environmental sustainability.
USA Camping Company is elevating traditional campgrounds into resort-level destinations by acquiring and upgrading properties with enhanced amenities and community integration. Their growth strategy focuses on providing high-quality guest experiences, prime outdoor locations, and sustainable practices.
Luxe Glamp, an eco-friendly luxury dome glamping project, has begun construction in the Umm Al Quwain Mangrove Reserve, UAE, promising a sustainable and immersive stay experience. The project, attended by Sheikh Majid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, aims to blend luxury with environmental conservation, highlighting the UAE’s diverse tourism offerings.
National Powersports Auctions (NPA) has expanded its RV and Marine team by appointing Shannon Bennett as the RV+Marine sales and admin coordinator and promoting Tom Wilkinson to production supervisor for RV+Marine and Specialty Product. This strategic move aims to enhance service efficiency and support the growing demand in the RV and Marine industries.
Temporary road closures and changed parking conditions are set for the 2024 Let’s Go Queensland Caravan and Camping Supershow from May 30 to June 11. The event will feature the latest models of caravans, motorhomes, and camping equipment, hosted by over 200 exhibitors.
A recent Winnebago Industries survey reveals that more Americans are turning to outdoor activities for health benefits, with 71% acknowledging their positive impact on physical and mental well-being. The survey highlights a growing trend in outdoor participation, which supports increased demand in the RV industry.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro launches the “Pennsylvania: The Great American Getaway” tourism initiative with a weeklong RV tour to promote the state’s attractions and boost its tourism industry. The campaign aims to draw millions of visitors, benefiting local businesses and the outdoor recreation sector.
Campsite reservations in BC Parks’ Okanagan region have decreased this year, with 1,400 reservations for the May long weekend compared to 1,600 last year. Despite this, most parks are fully booked, and several trails remain closed due to wildfire impacts and seasonal conditions.
The 12th annual RV Industry Power Breakfast at the RV/MH Hall of Fame witnessed its highest turnout ever, with industry leaders discussing the robust interest and emerging trends in the RV sector. Key talks highlighted increased outdoor activities spurred by the pandemic and the transformative impact of artificial intelligence in enhancing customer experiences.
As the 2024 camping season begins, demand for local campsites in southern Ontario shows significant growth, with facilities like Whistle Bare Campground nearly fully booked. Campground operators are advised to optimize services and facilities in response to the increasing popularity of outdoor activities.