Promising outdoor traveling adventure and family fun, the Fort Myers RV Show motors into the new year at the Lee Civic Center this Jan. 24-27, Everett Henkel III, president of Florida RV Trade Association-Region One, announced.
This year’s RV extravaganza provides attendees the opportunity to see the latest and best camping products available to RVers and lovers of the great outdoors offered by 11 RV Dealers, Everett details. “Attendees can view hundreds of new recreation vehicles of all different types, sizes and prices. It also features about 100 outdoor and camping supply vendors,” he says. “This family-friendly event focuses on the fun, flexibility and affordability RVing provides consumers of all ages.
“For years, the Fort Myers RV Show has been the top RV show in Florida and the Southeast simply because of the high-quality products, outstanding displays and competitive prices,” Everett explains. “I’m proud to say this emphasis on quality has enabled the show to grow into the largest dealer-sponsored show in Florida and one of the largest RV shows in the Southeast.”
The 34th Annual Fort Myers RV Show features 11 dealers from along Florida’s Gulf Coast displaying a large selection of new 2019 recreation vehicles of all styles, brands and price ranges, including folding campers, gas and diesel motorhomes, travel trailers, toy haulers, fifth wheels, park models and van campers.
Besides RVs, the show allows attendees the chance to browse close to 100 outdoor and camping vendors displaying equipment and accessories to help outfit RVers or provide information on camping throughout the nation. Items include new towing systems, RV insurance, specialized camping equipment and where to camp throughout the nation. Daily free RV travel and maintenance seminars also will be offered.
According to a 2015 study by the RV Industry Association, the national RV industry has a total economic impact of $50 billion and employs nearly 300,000 via 22,000 businesses. The most current shipping data indicates RV wholesale deliveries as of November 2018 are at 455,309 units. This is slightly down 2.8 percent one year ago. Approximately 10 million households now own an RV. The industry hit a low point in 2009 when only 165,700 units were shipped. Conventional travel trailers and Class C motorhomes continue as the strongest segments.
For most, RV travel remains an affordable option. A new study by CBRE Hotels Advisory Group found that RV vacations cost much less than other types of vacation travel, even when factoring in fuel prices and the cost of RV ownership. The study found there are cost savings of 21-64 percent for a four-person travel party, while a two-person travel party saves 8-53 percent, depending on the type of RV and type of vacation
“For the majority of RV buyers, the interest on their purchase is tax deductible since it qualifies as a second home,” Everett continues. “Now is the time to buy since RV prices have never been lower while interest rates remain near historic lows, making the RV lifestyle surprisingly affordable.”
The 34th Annual Fort Myers RV Show is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 24, 25, 26, 27). Go to http://www.FRVTA.org/show/ft-myers-rv-show/ for more information.
