The British Columbia Lodging and Campgrounds Association (BCLCA) has released findings from its 2024 Annual Occupancy and 2025 Rate Survey, which was conducted from January through February 2025.
The report summarizes feedback from 92 private campground operators with 10 or more sites, representing a 28.2% response rate from members and 3.9% from non-members.
According to the survey, average annual occupancy remained stable in 2024 at approximately 54%, showing virtually no change from the previous year.
Campground operators have also taken a conservative approach to pricing. Nearly 50% of respondents reported either freezing or lowering their rates for the 2025 season.
Booking patterns indicated a return to pre-pandemic behavior. While British Columbia residents continued to represent the majority of guests, 56% on average in 2024, this marked a slight decline of about 2.3% points compared to 2023. The change suggests an increase in out-of-province visitors.
Private campground revenues rose by an average of 4.7% in 2024, driven by strong summer bookings and selective rate adjustments.
However, the increase in revenue did not translate into proportional gains in profitability. Operators reported continued pressure on profit margins due to escalating expenses.
The survey highlighted rising operational costs as a significant concern for the year ahead. Fifty-six percent of respondents identified the increased cost of doing business, including fuel, food, and labor, as a major challenge for 2025.
BCLCA members can access the full report by logging into the Partner Extranet. The document is located under “Partner Bulletins” on the landing page of the member portal.
In addition to the report release, BCLCA is inviting operators to participate in its Summer Reservations Poll, open through May 31. The poll asks respondents to compare projected bookings for June through September against the same period in 2024.
All individual responses remain confidential and are reported only in aggregate. BCLCA expressed appreciation for the continued participation of operators in shaping industry data and advocacy efforts.