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On May 17, our President and CEO Dyana Kelley had the opportunity to attend the Cal Travel 2023 Tourism Advocacy Day.

Every year, Cal Travel hosts their Tourism Advocacy Day at the state capitol. This is an opportunity for members of the travel and tourism industry to meet with state legislators and share issues of importance to our industry.  

CalOHA’s President/CEO, Dyana Kelley, was among many in attendance at the conference this year. Dyana had the opportunity to meet with California legislators and staff to discuss advocacy efforts in the travel and tourism industry.  

“As representatives of the Cal Travel the focus was on general travel and tourism related issues but as the representative for California’s RV parks and campgrounds It was a great opportunity to remind legislators that outdoor hospitality is a vital component to California’s economy.”



Overall, this annual event is vital to increasing visibility for the travel industry as well as promoting tourism in the state. Without our voices being heard, advocacy would cease to exist. As CalOHA says, “The stronger we are together the better we become.”

Over 11.2 million households own an RV according to the RVIA; this is up 26% over the past 10 years and 62% over the past 20 years. How do we keep it up?

The RV industry is a multi-billion-dollar industry: $140 billion to be exact. It contributes greatly to the country’s economy and even connects travelers from across the globe. More people than ever before are discovering the joy and wonder of RVing. With such a rapidly growing industry, how do we keep it from falling?

Help us to advocate for RV parks and campgrounds  

Speak to your local legislators and assembly members about bills happening now in California, but also be aware of national bills as well. We have been working hard to make our members aware of Assembly Bill 1472, which fines RV park owners who have tenants move out for a period of time and then allows them to move back in under a new lease as a method of preventing residency. Currently, the bill is in the judiciary phase, and CalOHA is working with a lobbyist to combat its passing.

There is also a national bill that we need to pass: America’s Outdoor Recreation Act. This bill attempts to modernize and expand campgrounds in order to keep up with the current demand in the industry. It will also increase jobs and access to public lands, ensure more Americans are able to enjoy an outdoor lifestyle, and create more RV camping opportunities.  

With campgrounds and RV parks experiencing record-breaking demand, it is vital that we keep them not just operating but updated and well kept. One way to assist with this is to pass America’s Outdoor Recreation Act. This week, our President and CEO is in Washington DC advocating for your parks, and this act is one of many discussions.

Our industry is continuing to grow. However, if we do not take care of them, RV parks and campgrounds may not be able to sustain themselves in the future.

For more information on these bills and advocacy efforts, please send us an email or call our office at (530) 885-1624.

It’s no secret that flying has become increasingly expensive and difficult since 2020. The Kampgrounds of America (KOA) May report reveals that more and more leisure travelers and campers are choosing RVing and camping over flights.

According to KOA, nearly two-thirds of leisure travelers and 7 out of 10 campers have recently ditched the air fair and decided to go camping instead. The biggest issue seems to be the cost of flying, with hotel accommodations in a close second. The chosen solution? RVing.

RVing offers more flexibility to travelers and, at this point, is far more affordable. 7 in 10 RVers are planning to continue doing so in 2023, with nearly half declaring they will take more RV trips versus other modes of transportation.  

“Air travel is becoming increasingly prohibitive for a large segment of leisure travelers; camping is emerging as an important solution,” Whitney Scott, senior vice president of strategy at KOA. “People are eager to travel and explore in ways that are not only cost-effective but also incite less stress. We’re seeing camping solidify itself as more than a recreational activity – it is a primary mode of travel for an ever-larger population segment.”

However, in the growing world of outdoor hospitality, many campers are finding it more difficult to get out there. Their biggest struggles are not having access to enough campgrounds and crowded parks. Scott points out that, “These aren’t challenges; they are opportunities for us to make impactful changes to make our industry even more successful.”

For the full May report, as well as past and future editions, check out the KOA Press Room!

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