Outdoor Hospitality News
For owners, operators, team members, and anyone else interested in camping, glamping, or the RV industry.
News for August 21, 2026
BIG4 Tasman Holiday Parks – Bright has been named the 2026 Tourist & Mixed-Use Caravan Park of the Year at the CRPVic Awards, with judges citing its investment, technology, sustainability initiatives and guest service.
Pario Holiday Parks has expanded its North Wales portfolio to five properties with the August 12, 2026 acquisition of Crugan Holiday Park, an approximately 100-home ownership park on the Llŷn Peninsula near Llanbedrog Beach and Abersoch.
Dunes Beach Resort in Mindarie has reached practical completion ahead of its anticipated August 2026 opening, bringing 38 ensuite glamping tents alongside dining, entertainment and event facilities to Western Australia’s northern coastline.
Five Chinese capsule house manufacturers are gaining attention among tourism and glamping developers as prefabricated accommodation continues to expand, although operators must weigh regulatory, installation, infrastructure, and procurement requirements before investing.
Demand for agritourism in the United Kingdom increased over the May bank holiday weekend, with bookings at farm-based caravan and camping sites rising 54% from the same period last year and use of Pitchup.com’s “farm” filter climbing 336%, according to data from the online booking platform.
The Texas Association of Campground Owners (TACO) will host three free webinars this fall focused on insurance liability, revenue strategies and legislative priorities for 2027, giving campground and park operators online educational sessions between the association’s annual Spring Meeting and Tradeshow.
Vatrer Power has been named a featured vendor and industry partner for Golf Carting Expo 2026, where the lithium battery manufacturer will showcase LiFePO4 power systems for golf carts, utility task vehicles and other commercial electric mobility platforms used by outdoor properties.
The owner of a shuttered Anchorage motor home rental company has been ordered to pay more than $230,000 in fines and restitution after a court found a pattern of deceptive practices including bogus damage charges, forged signatures and illegally seized customer deposits.
Sri Lanka’s government is moving to upgrade the infrastructure at Yala National Park, the country’s most prominent wildlife destination, in an effort to reduce congestion and bring facilities in line with international standards as visitor demand continues to rise.
A Llandysul-based campervan converter has been named Campervan Conversion Company of the Year for the second consecutive time at the Wales Prestige Awards, a result that points to the growing professionalism and consumer demand in a segment of the RV market that OEMs have largely watched from the sidelines.
Avid Projects Ltd has submitted plans to Argyll and Bute Council for a 22-pitch caravan and motorhome park at Craobh Haven, alongside a camping area, year-round facilities and staff accommodation, with a planning decision expected by mid-October 2026.
New recreation data, cross-border tourism initiatives and regional investment are drawing attention to coastal camping destinations such as Washington State’s Kitsap Memorial State Park, highlighting factors campground operators can consider when planning for changing visitor demand.
Australian caravan and camping travel reached its highest level on record in 2025, with domestic travelers taking 17.3 million overnight trips and spending $12.6 billion, according to official figures from Tourism Research Australia.
BIG4 Tasman Holiday Parks – Bright has been named the 2026 Tourist & Mixed-Use Caravan Park of the Year at the CRPVic Awards, with judges citing its investment, technology, sustainability initiatives and guest service.
Pario Holiday Parks has expanded its North Wales portfolio to five properties with the August 12, 2026 acquisition of Crugan Holiday Park, an approximately 100-home ownership park on the Llŷn Peninsula near Llanbedrog Beach and Abersoch.
Forest River and Care Camps Foundation are expanding their Compete for Kids fundraising campaign to Canada, inviting Canadian RV dealerships to raise money for pediatric oncology camps during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month beginning Sept. 1.
OHI has partnered with RVTV to offer members preferred pricing on five-minute national television features showcasing RV parks and campgrounds through “The Perfect Spot,” with campaigns airing approximately 42 times over 12 weeks and projected to reach 85,000 to 100,000 households.
Forest River and Care Camps Foundation are expanding their Compete for Kids fundraising campaign to Canada, inviting Canadian RV dealerships to raise money for pediatric oncology camps during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month beginning Sept. 1.
OHI has partnered with RVTV to offer members preferred pricing on five-minute national television features showcasing RV parks and campgrounds through “The Perfect Spot,” with campaigns airing approximately 42 times over 12 weeks and projected to reach 85,000 to 100,000 households.
The Texas Association of Campground Owners (TACO) will host three free webinars this fall focused on insurance liability, revenue strategies and legislative priorities for 2027, giving campground and park operators online educational sessions between the association’s annual Spring Meeting and Tradeshow.
Vatrer Power has been named a featured vendor and industry partner for Golf Carting Expo 2026, where the lithium battery manufacturer will showcase LiFePO4 power systems for golf carts, utility task vehicles and other commercial electric mobility platforms used by outdoor properties.
Canopy Camping Escapes founders Sonia Minnaar and Liz Henderson have been recognized at the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards for building a rural accommodation network that now includes more than 220 independently owned escapes across New Zealand.
Virginia State Parks has expanded its accessibility program with the addition of an all-terrain wheelchair at First Landing State Park, bringing the total number of parks offering the mobility equipment to seven and increasing access to more than 5 miles of trails for visitors with mobility limitations.
A discounted two-night glamping promotion at Ribble Valley Retreat highlights how outdoor hospitality operators are using seasonal pricing and optional guest experiences to attract travelers ahead of the peak summer vacation period.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is accepting applications for $11 million in federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grants to support park acquisition, development and rehabilitation projects across the state, with eligible applicants able to seek awards ranging from $150,000 to $2.5 million.
Construction to fully reconstruct the River Road bridge at High Bridge Trail State Park in Farmville will begin July 6, closing the bridge and a section of the trail for about one month while maintaining public access to High Bridge and other portions of the trail.
The Texas Association of Campground Owners (TACO) will host three free webinars this fall focused on insurance liability, revenue strategies and legislative priorities for 2027, giving campground and park operators online educational sessions between the association’s annual Spring Meeting and Tradeshow.
Dunes Beach Resort in Mindarie has reached practical completion ahead of its anticipated August 2026 opening, bringing 38 ensuite glamping tents alongside dining, entertainment and event facilities to Western Australia’s northern coastline.
Five Chinese capsule house manufacturers are gaining attention among tourism and glamping developers as prefabricated accommodation continues to expand, although operators must weigh regulatory, installation, infrastructure, and procurement requirements before investing.
Demand for agritourism in the United Kingdom increased over the May bank holiday weekend, with bookings at farm-based caravan and camping sites rising 54% from the same period last year and use of Pitchup.com’s “farm” filter climbing 336%, according to data from the online booking platform.
Scottish Borders Council has approved two glamping pods at the Jedwater House estate in Jedburgh, with part of the rental income intended to support renovation and ongoing conservation of the Category B listed country house.
A proposal for three self-catering glamping units near Lecarrow, County Roscommon, has been appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála after Roscommon County Council raised concerns over the site, traffic, wastewater and other planning issues.
Join MC Fireside Chats on August 19, 2026, at 2 PM ET as Landan Dory exposes deal-breaking mistakes in campground valuations. Learn what buyers and sellers get wrong to maximize your investment and navigate transactions confidently. Tune in live!
Forest River and Care Camps Foundation are expanding their Compete for Kids fundraising campaign to Canada, inviting Canadian RV dealerships to raise money for pediatric oncology camps during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month beginning Sept. 1.
Dragonfly Energy Holdings Corp. is partnering with Sphere Energy to integrate battery-specific artificial intelligence into its next-generation battery management systems, aiming to improve the accuracy of state-of-charge and state-of-health data while expanding the capabilities of its Dragonfly IntelLigence platform.
The owner of a shuttered Anchorage motor home rental company has been ordered to pay more than $230,000 in fines and restitution after a court found a pattern of deceptive practices including bogus damage charges, forged signatures and illegally seized customer deposits.
A Llandysul-based campervan converter has been named Campervan Conversion Company of the Year for the second consecutive time at the Wales Prestige Awards, a result that points to the growing professionalism and consumer demand in a segment of the RV market that OEMs have largely watched from the sidelines.
Go RVing’s Creator Summit is continuing to expand its social media campaign across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook, with outdoor creators highlighting RVing through activities including fly fishing, hiking, cooking and other outdoor recreation.
Airstream and Italian design house Pininfarina have formed a design partnership to explore a new luxury direction for Airstream’s future products as the recreational vehicle manufacturer approaches its 100th anniversary in 2031.
Cleer Vision is showcasing two new RV baggage doors, a new entry door and previews of window and tempered glass technologies at Airxcel’s 2026 New Product Showcase in Elkhart, Indiana, with the new doors targeting different RV market segments.
A session at the 2026 RV Dealers Convention/Expo will focus on how dealership sales managers and salespeople can use the sales process to control inventory age and reduce the costs associated with moving older RV units
The RV Technical Institute has completed its Level 1 Spanish Exam Pilot Program, making Spanish-language Level 1 certification exams available upon request as the institute expands access to certification for Spanish-speaking RV technicians.
The RV Industry Association will hold a Sept. 9 webinar on New Mexico’s new PFAS regulations, outlining compliance requirements for RV manufacturers, suppliers and aftermarket parts ahead of provisions taking effect Jan. 1, 2027.
Vixen Composites is showcasing new composite and fiberglass-reinforced plastic products for RV applications at Airxcel’s 2026 Product Showcase in Elkhart, Indiana, including panels and flooring designed to reduce weight while improving moisture resistance, durability and manufacturing efficiency.
Airxcel will showcase new RV interior products from MCD Innovations, United Shade, Solace and Synergy Design during its 2026 New Product Showcase Aug. 18-19 in Elkhart, Indiana, featuring developments in window treatments, furniture and soft goods designed for comfort, privacy, space efficiency and durability.
Virginia State Parks has expanded its accessibility program with the addition of an all-terrain wheelchair at First Landing State Park, bringing the total number of parks offering the mobility equipment to seven and increasing access to more than 5 miles of trails for visitors with mobility limitations.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is accepting pre-application proposals for parks and outdoor recreation projects seeking funding through the National Park Service’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is accepting applications for $11 million in federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grants to support park acquisition, development and rehabilitation projects across the state, with eligible applicants able to seek awards ranging from $150,000 to $2.5 million.
Construction to fully reconstruct the River Road bridge at High Bridge Trail State Park in Farmville will begin July 6, closing the bridge and a section of the trail for about one month while maintaining public access to High Bridge and other portions of the trail.
The National RV Dealers Association has launched its 2026 Dealer Satisfaction Index survey, giving U.S. and Canadian dealers until Sept. 9 to evaluate the manufacturers and brands they represent across four areas critical to dealer operations: reliability and quality, parts support, warranty support and sales support.
Virginia State Parks will host a diverse lineup of outdoor concerts and music series this summer, offering visitors opportunities to enjoy live performances ranging from bluegrass and country to rock, symphony and contemporary music at park locations across the state from May through October.
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has proclaimed May 31 as Dam Safety Awareness Day, drawing attention to the importance of maintaining and monitoring the Commonwealth’s more than 2,400 regulated dams amid concerns over aging infrastructure, changing weather patterns and increased downstream development.
Pocahontas State Park will launch the 2026 Pocahontas Premieres concert series on May 9 at the Heritage Amphitheater, featuring new musical acts, returning crowd favorites and the debut of season tickets that provide admission and free parking for all shows throughout the season.
The 28th Annual Eagle Festival will return to Mason Neck State Park on May 9, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., bringing a full day of family-oriented programming centered on conservation, wildlife education and outdoor recreation in Northern Virginia.
Virginia State Parks will take part in the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Clean the Bay Day, a statewide volunteer initiative aimed at protecting and restoring the Chesapeake Bay watershed through coordinated cleanup efforts across rivers, streams, and shorelines.
Strong customer engagement and heightened interest in real-time safety technology underscored growing demand for advanced tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) as TechnoRV reported a successful partnership with Road Tech following the Mid-America Trucking Show, held March 26–28 in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners (WACO) announced a legislative win for private campgrounds after Governor Tony Evers signed Wisconsin Act 117 into law, clarifying that personal property owned by seasonal campers in licensed campgrounds is exempt from real property tax.
The European Trade Fair for Tourism Trends (SETT) will mark a historic milestone at its 47th edition, November 3-5 at the Montpellier Exhibition Centre, with the launch of the “Sett Hospitality” brand and a dedicated hall for cafés, hotels, and restaurants.
The Virginia Natural Heritage Program will mark its 40th anniversary in 2026 with a series of expert-led hikes and events across the state, offering visitors opportunities this spring to restore river cane, view rare wildflowers and see Virginia’s earliest blooming orchid.
Governor Abigail Spanberger launched the centennial anniversary of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), celebrating a century of protecting the commonwealth’s natural landscapes and public lands.
Signature Park has reaffirmed its commitment to the Canadian outdoor hospitality industry by renewing its strategic sponsorships with the British Columbia Lodging and Campgrounds Association (BCLCA) and the Canadian Camping and Recreational Vehicle Council (CCRVA).
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.