Fall foliage is emerging as a key driver of RV travel, with the RV Industry Association’s latest fall travel data showing that experiencing autumn color ranks among the top reasons Americans choose an RV trip.
According to a News and Insights report of RVIA, the data also shows more than 90% of RV travelers plan trips within three to seven hours of home, creating an opportunity for destinations and RV-related brands to highlight lesser-known state parks, scenic overlooks and small towns as alternatives to established fall foliage destinations.
Marketing efforts can center on helping travelers discover nearby places to experience fall color.
One suggested approach is a social media series featuring lesser-known destinations within a few hours of locations that are relevant to customers, ambassador groups and dealerships.
Other recommended marketing content includes guides focused on fall foliage destinations that can be visited without large crowds. Such guides could feature three to five state parks or other lesser-known destinations, along with peak-color timing, nearby campgrounds, hikes and local stops to help travelers build weekend itineraries.
The announcement also recommends pitching local and regional media with alternative fall foliage itineraries, such as a list of places to see autumn color without traveling to a more established destination. Those itineraries can pair the destinations with an RV or camping component and an ambassador who can participate in the story.
The fall travel trend provides an opportunity to position nearby destinations as part of the RV experience, rather than focusing solely on the changing leaves. Marketing recommendations emphasize the broader experience of visiting new-to-the-traveler locations and creating travel memories during the autumn season.
The RVIA data is part of a broader set of trends examining how consumers discover, plan and experience fall travel.
