Austin, Texas-based peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace RVshare announced the company has achieved the highest recorded booking numbers in company history, with a 650 percent rise in RV rental bookings since early April.
“RV travel has been a trend steadily on the rise for years due to RV rentals being more accessible than ever thanks to sites like RVshare,” said Jon Gray, CEO of RVshare. “We expect RVs to continue to gain traction as a preferred method of travel while consumers are seeking flexible options and a unique way to experience the outdoors.
The company says that based on findings from a recent survey among RVshare users, travelers revealed preferences for both outdoor travel, destination proximity and booking flexibility within the next few months. Some key findings from the survey and recent booking trends include:
Travelers are ready for their next summer adventure. In fact, 77 percent of respondents are looking to make travel plans within the next three months. RVshare continues to see significant week over week growth in bookings for leisure travel leading into the summer months.
Flexible bookings. RVshare has seen a steady trend in last-minute bookings the week of the scheduled trips. To enable travelers to readily find RV options that offer flexible cancellation policies, given the uncertainties of COVID-19, RVshare recently launched a new search option with the ability to filter rental options by cancellation policy type.
Smaller groups. When planning a trip in the next three months, the overwhelming majority of respondents (93 percent) want to avoid crowds.
Reconnecting with nature. 65 percent of travelers want to be in and around nature. Preferred locations in the next three months include a national park (65 percent) or a lake destination (47 percent).
Limited contact. RVs are self-contained, meaning they allow for a more intimate way to vacation.
Extended getaways. With many spring trips cancelled, travelers report they are eager to take longer trips once they travel. Close to half of survey respondents say they plan to travel for a week to more than 10 days.
