The latest installment of the annual Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report from Kampgrounds of America (KOA) reveals the trends reshaping the camping landscape.
The Campground Modernization report highlights the shifts seen in the travel and outdoor hospitality space in the last 10 years. Notably, there has been a shift in the travel industry led by millennials, the largest generational group in North America, through their travel behaviors and demand for more modern amenities.
Modern Campers Desire Modern Amenities
Many privately owned campgrounds have begun to diversify their offerings, due to the growing demand for unique accommodations like cabins, safari tents, treehouses and tiny homes.
Convenience continues to push camping behavior, with eight in 10 non-campers and seven in 10 campers stating they are interested in staying at a campground where the RV is set up before arrival.
More than half of campers say they would choose a campground that has sustainability practices over one that does not, with 54% of millennials being more likely to choose a campground based on sustainable practices.
“As the travel industry continues to evolve, we’re beginning to see a shift in how campers are looking to experience the outdoors,” says KOA President and CEO Toby O’Rourke. “Private campgrounds and outdoor hospitality resorts have led the charge in modernizing amenities and the guest experience. Campers today have learned to expect services and amenities that make their stay more comfortable.”
Technology Enhances Camping Experience
As technology continues to play a pivotal role in modern camping, Gen Z campers have noted they will spend an extra nine days camping when they have access to technology.
Wi-Fi has become a crucial amenity for many campers, especially among millennials, Gen Z, higher-income households and urban campers. Nearly half of new campers say it is the most important amenity when choosing a campground.
Four in 10 campers view text message updates and digital check-ins as an important feature to the camping experience.
Evolution of Transportation in Camping
Electric vehicle charging stations have become an important amenity for campgrounds with many campers saying they’d consider a campground if it offered a charging station. Notably, 80% of campers who own or plan to own an electric vehicle would use them for camping purposes including car camping, tent camping or glamping.
No-car camping grows in popularity especially among campers who reside in urban areas and those from higher income households to eliminate the hassle of driving.
To view the full 2024 Campground Modernization report, visit http://koa.uberflip.com/i/1526930-2024-koa-c-oh-report-campgroundmodernization/0?.
Additional supplemental reports will be released in the coming weeks, exploring several topics more in-depth, available at KOAPressroom.com.
The results of the most recent iteration of the North American Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report are based on a total of 4,100 surveys completed among a random sample of U.S. (n=2,900) and Canadian (n=1,200) households. Within the U.S. sample of households, results are stratified by Census Region: Northeast (n=725), Midwest (n=725), South (n=725) and West (n=725).