The Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) Monthly Research Report for March 2023 forecasts a robust year for camping, indicating that the majority of households that camped in 2022 plan to return to the great outdoors this year.
As per a press release, the prediction is backed by impressive growth in the number of households that took to the great outdoors in January and February, as well as the nearly one million additional households planning to camp in March and April.
According to the report, 74% of households that camped in 2022 have confirmed plans to venture out again in 2023. Most are looking forward to summer vacations, particularly in July and August. An impressive 35% of campers have already booked trips in July, and 33% have done so for August. Furthermore, 27% of campers have secured reservations for all or part of their camping trips for the entire year.
In the coming months, 26.1 million households are expected to enjoy camping trips, a slight increase from the 25.2 million households that camped during the same period in 2022. The top destinations for spring break leisure travel include Florida and the Southeast (18%), California (11%), and Arizona and the Southwest (11%).
Whitney Scott, senior vice president of strategy at Kampgrounds of America, Inc., highlighted the significance of camping as a primary travel option for many. “This isn’t just another mode of travel. For many, it is their primary way to explore and experience the world around them,” she said. Scott also emphasized the increasing trend of campers booking earlier to secure their preferred campgrounds and sites.
Camping is widely regarded as an affordable way to travel, with almost half of all campers stating that it is more economical than other modes of travel. Furthermore, over a third of respondents said they would continue to choose camping over other vacation options, even if the economy takes a downturn in 2023. Notably, 31% of RV owners indicated that they would camp even more if the economy declines.
Scott emphasized the resilience of camping during times of uncertainty. “While other segments of the leisure travel industry may falter during economic downturns, camping offers a budget-friendly way to travel,” she explained. Moreover, survey results showed that people view camping as an important part of their lifestyles and are unwilling to compromise on it.
The March report also delved into the decision-making process related to camping, revealing that women who are heads of households overwhelmingly make the key decisions about camping destinations and activities. In fact, 61% of such decisions are made by these women.