Business conditions for campgrounds and RV parks across Florida and Alabama have remained generally consistent with last year despite varying performance among individual properties, according to the Florida and Alabama RV Park and Campground Association’s July member update.
In a message to members, Executive Director Bobby Cornwell said year-to-date performance has been stable across the two states, although results continue to differ by region and park type.
He said some parks are reporting gains while others are experiencing declines, resulting in overall business levels that are comparable to the previous year.
Cornwell said waterfront campgrounds and parks offering distinctive amenities or experiences continue to perform well during the summer season.
At the same time, properties that primarily serve snowbird travelers are experiencing the seasonal slowdown that typically occurs during the warmer months.
The update also noted that campground operators continue to compete with a broad range of vacation options for consumer spending, including hotels, cruise vacations and international travel.
Cornwell said those competitive pressures make the quality of the guest experience increasingly important for campground and RV park operators.
“Competition for leisure dollars is real — from hotels to cruises to international travel — so delivering exceptional, friction-free experiences matters more than ever,” Cornwell said.
According to the association, every interaction a customer has with the outdoor hospitality industry can influence whether they choose to return for future camping trips. Cornwell said those touchpoints begin before guests arrive at a campground and extend through the end of their stay.
“Every touchpoint, from first contact at the dealer through checkout at the park, influences whether a visitor becomes a lifelong camper or looks elsewhere next time,” Cornwell said.
Cornwell also emphasized the need for collaboration across the outdoor hospitality industry to strengthen customer satisfaction and encourage repeat visitation.
He said the industry should work together to provide the “stress-free, distinctive, and fun experience that RVing and camping can provide.”
The July member update also introduced a refreshed newsletter format intended to improve navigation for association members. Cornwell encouraged readers to submit feedback, suggestions and topic ideas to help shape future editions and ensure the content remains useful for campground and RV park businesses.