The Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) of Canada, the Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association (CRVA) and Go RVing Canada have released an updated Family Vacation Cost Analysis. The study analyzes and compares several different travel options to highlight the fact that RV travel remains an affordable and a cost-effective way to vacation.
The study, conducted by The Portage Group Inc., showcased that in 2020, RV vacations are generally less expensive than those where the travel party stays in a hotel/motel. Towable RV vacations were also found to be more economical than private property rentals.
The vacation cost analysis was based on a hypothetical family consisting of two adults and two children, travelling by different modes of transportation and staying in different types of accommodation.
The following five trips were analyzed:
Trip 1 – Montreal, Quebec, to Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, for 3 Days
Trip 2 – Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Quebec City, Quebec, for 10 Days
Trip 3 – Toronto, Ontario, to Sturgeon Falls, Ontario, for 3 Days
Trip 4 – Brandon, Manitoba, to Drumheller, Alberta, for 10 Days
Trip 5 – Vancouver, British Columbia, to Banff National Park, Alberta, for 7 Days
These trip configurations were, on average, 16 percent lower than driving and staying in Airbnbs, 37 percent lower than driving and staying in hotels and 57 percent lower than flying and staying in hotels.
The savings range was 7 percent to 27 percent compared to Airbnb, 32 percent to 44 percent compared to drive and hotel and 48 percent to 71 percent compared to flying. The actual cost difference varies significantly depending on the cost of accommodations in a destination, trip length and distance.
“The purpose of the 2020 Family Vacation Cost Analysis is to highlight the fact that there are cost savings when travelling by RV,” said Eleonore Hamm, RVDA of Canada president. “First-time buyers often ask our dealer members about affordability and this study gives concrete examples of what a typical RV trip might cost”.
“RV travel can reduce your family’s vacation costs when compared to car and air travel” added CRVA President, Shane Devenish. “One of the trips analyzed was a Vancouver to Banff National Park vacation. This very popular 7-day trip costs about $2887 with a travel trailer. Doing so with a personal car and hotel, costs would be closer to $4950.”
Click here to read the PDF of the full report.
