RV travellers are spending up to $5 billion in Australia each year

Queensland can boost visitor spend if it places priority on the cashed up recreational vehicle (RV) market, according to the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA).

CMCA director Ken Kipping said RV travellers currently spend over $5 billion nationally each year, with Queensland receiving over $3 billion of that.

“With baby boomers only just hitting retirement age, we are perched on the crest of a tidal wave,” Mr Kipping said.

As the mining boom dominates accommodation in many central and south east Queensland regional towns, the reliance on commercial accommodation is less for RV travellers.

“RV travellers stay for a long time, spend on high value tours and local services,” Mr Kipping pointed out.

Recreational vehicles, such as campervans, motorhomes, caravans and camper trailers are being produced in record numbers and to meet demand there is a need for more non-commercial and other low cost accommodations, according to Mr Kipping.

RV travellers will spend up to $20,000 on an average trip of 156 days, resulting in a significant injection of cash into regional and remote towns.

“A modest investment by local and state government into rest areas and low cost non-commercial accommodation with waste services will attract significant interstate and overseas RV travellers to regional towns,” Mr Kipping added.

CMCA suggests changes to caravan park policies should allow councils to provide accommodation for RVs in country showgrounds, racetracks, local and state reserves when not in use.

“RV travellers aren’t looking for a free ride; they are prepared to pay for access to non-commercial accommodation.

The bottom line is they are looking for an authentic regional experience.”