The pandemic has left plenty of people with canceled vacation plans at the exact moment when they need a break. But in some sectors of the travel and outdoor industry, business is booming – especially in the world of RVs.
Colorado RV rentals and sales are up after the initial shock from coronavirus closures, and campsites with RV hookups are seeing plenty of reservations. Jim Humble is the president of Cousins RV with locations in Loveland, Colorado Springs and Wheat Ridge. He’s been in the business for 29 years, but he said he’s never seen a season like this before.
“Just the amount of first-timers that are coming into the industry right now is amazing,” Humble said in an interview with The Denver Post. “They want to take their vacation but going to Disney World or getting on an airplane doesn’t sound super appealing to them, so an RV is a great option right now. We’ve sold so many trailers to people who never would have purchased one, but because of the virus, sales have just skyrocketed.”
The year started with regular RV shows and conferences, but when coronavirus arrived in the United States, Humble had to close his business. He initially took a hit, but at the end of the stay-at-home order, business exploded. Humble said sales in May and June have more than doubled compared to the previous year. And though the season tends to wind down in September, he’s anticipating continued business as people enjoy Colorado’s beautiful fall.
Click here to see the whole story by Catherine Henderson in the Denver Post.
Humble said a lot of these new customers are families with parents who work remotely and children who have nothing to do. He added that RVs offer families comfortable amenities while getting into nature. This summer, his most popular models are family-style with bunk beds for young children.