Dogwood Express Newsletter |
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In This Issue:
- BC Camping Industry Benchmarking Report - Google Consumer Survey Results
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Call for Proposals: BCLCA Camping and Lodging Ideas Forum – Together Again, October 18 – 20, 2022, Kelowna BC
- Geodesic Domes for Year-round Glamping
- THOR Publishes Results of North American Motorized Electric RV Study
- Check out KOA’s North American Camping Report
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Dear BCLCA Member:
The federal government announced this week that commencing June 20 Canadians traveling within Canada will no longer be required to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination on planes or trains. However, there is no change for international travelers entering Canada who still require to show proof of vaccination.
Superior Propane has provided the BCLCA with a new one-year contract, valid June 1, 2022 – May 31, 2023. The new rates are: Under 10,000 litres 0.7456 and Over 10,000 litres 0.7156. If you are not on the program and want to be added, please contact Anne at 778-383-1037.
This year, the BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association’s members and stakeholders will gather in person for the first time since October 2019. Our theme for the Ideas Forum is “Together Again” and we’re building an education program that will encourage participants to rethink and reimagine their approaches to running their businesses.
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BC CAMPING INDUSTRY BENCHMARKING REPORT - GOOGLE CONSUMER SURVEY RESULTS
Working with Destination British Columbia, Google and Align Consulting Group, the Camping and RV BC Coalition conducted Year 3 (2021) of a Google Consumer Survey focused on Alberta and BC consumers.
As expected, there was a huge spike in lifetime camping and camping in the past two years – especially within the Alberta market. In addition, camping in the past two years has increased in the BC market (+6 points) and notably increased in the Alberta market (+12 points).
Camping in BC saw an increase in all seasons except Spring (we had the circuit breakers and late start due to COVID), which was consistent for the BC market as a whole.
Other findings in the report for BC residents questioned showed:
- The most popular equipment used was a tent/tent trailer (51%) followed by trailer/fifth wheel/truck camper (28%) and motorhome/camper van (11%).
- About a third of BC residents who camped had camped in shoulder seasons (28% spring and 37% in the fall).
- 14% of BC residents who camped had camped or RVed in the winter.
- The estimated camping population for BC (over 15 years) was 529,072 of which 43% camped more than 15 days per year.
- The most popular short time distances traveled to the campground were 2 – 4 hours 19% and 4 – 6 hours 20%. 22% of campers are likely touring as their furthest point on the trip was 10+ hours.
BC continues to be an appealing camping destination with a high propensity for BC and Alberta campers to visit in the next two years. However, there are still barriers to camping and RVing in BC with over 40% stating the inability or difficulty to book a campsite online as a significant barrier.
Lack of available campsites scores 50% and limited camping options in desired location scores 38%. The cost to camp in BC is a barrier for 30% of people. Others think the cancellation policy of campgrounds is too strict 1 in 5 or 20%.
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CALL FOR PROPOSALS: BCLCA CAMPING & LODGING IDEAS FORUM - TOGETHER AGAIN
OCTOBER 18-20, 2022
KELOWNA, BC
This year, BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association’s members and stakeholders will gather in person for the first time since October 2019. We are offering online virtual viewing so the event will be accessible to everyone in the province and across Canada.
Our theme for the Ideas Forum is “Together Again” and we’re building an education program that will encourage participants to rethink and reimagine their approaches to running their businesses.
The pandemic has delivered changes to how we work and how we connect with each other, creating new challenges but also providing new opportunities. Join us this Fall as we explore the future for outdoor hospitality.
We are looking for speakers and facilitators with innovative solutions and great stories to share for this year’s unique program.
Our education program will focus on two streams one for Lodging and the other for Camping. We welcome creative workshops and learning activities that help operators achieve their organizational and business goals.
The submission deadline is July 31, 2022.
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GEODESIC DOMES FOR YEAR-ROUND GLAMPING
Style, Strength and Success Stories. The unique experience of Geo-Domes is in high-demand, and Phoenix Domes checks all the boxes: low cost, high rental rates, easy maintenance, 4-season use, strong weatherproof structure, long-lasting investment. New experiences attract new clientele! Affordable and easily built in a few days. Offered in various sizes, for camping or high-end glamping resorts. Phoenix Domes "glamping packages", designed in BC and successful from coast to coast, are ready to welcome your tasteful interior design. An ideal and comfortable innovation to bring in new campers and new income!
Free shipping on any orders of 3+ domes for BCLCA Members.
Tel: 888-983-7513 ext. 2
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THOR PUBLISHES RESULTS OF NORTH AMERICAN MOTORIZED ELECTRIC RV STUDY
THOR Industries, Inc. (NYSE: THO) announced the release of the company’s North American Motorized Electric RV Study, which explores consumer expectations, key purchase motivators and electric infrastructure development needs.
The survey included questions to assess consumers’ interest level, intended usage, charging and service expectations, as well as identify factors challenging their purchase of motorized electric RVs. The featured information was collected from current and potential electric vehicle owners who are interested in purchasing a motorized electric RV, who have had some level of RV experience within the last 10 years.
Several key findings from the survey include:
Usage
- 47% expect to use a motorized electric RV at least “once a week or more often” or “once every 2 to 3 weeks”
Charging Expectations:
- 97% expect to drive 3 hours or longer before charging
- 70% report that the inclusion of an onboard fuel cell for recharging the vehicle’s battery positively impacts their purchase interest level, regardless of a small carbon footprint
Charging Infrastructure
- 44% expect a fact-charging (1-hour) station at each individual campground spot
- 34% report charging time is expected to be 45-59 minutes
- 34% report charging cost from empty to full is expected to be $41-$60
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CHECK OUT KOA'S NORTH AMERICAN CAMPING REPORT
KOA’s 2022 North American Camping Report is now available! An industry-leading, annual research initiative, the report contains valuable information on the habits and preferences of North America’s campers. If you’re familiar with the North American Camping Report, you’ll probably notice that this year’s eighth annual report looks a little different. We redesigned our report to make the information more digestible and modernized while branding it with the KOA logo to reflect our leadership in outdoor travel and hospitality.
Over the past two years, COVID-19 has significantly impacted travel. While much of this impact has been negative, camping has seen a dramatic increase in participation. In 2021, camping accounted for 40% of all leisure trips, with more than half of travelers (53%) including camping in some or all of their travel. Leisure travelers, who would otherwise stay home, have utilized camping as a preferred form of travel, and many are indicating camping will be part of their plans in 2022 and beyond.
Key Findings of the 2022 North American Camping Report
- In 2021, more than 93.8 million North American households considered themselves campers.
- Camping accounted for 40% of all leisure trips taken in 2021, with more than half of travelers (53%) including camping in some or all of their travel.
- A new trend, urban residents are one of the most avid camping segments – 44% of this group plan to replace a leisure trip with a camping trip in 2022.
- RVing is at an all-time high, with 11 million RV owners camping last year and two million new RV renters in 2021.
- In 2021, 54% of new campers who had at least one camping experience came from non-white groups.
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BC LODGING & CAMPGROUNDS ASSOCIATION
209, 3003 St. Johns Street, Port Moody BC V3H 2C4
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