RV rental company RVshare announced findings from its 2023 Travel Trend Report, indicating another “blockbuster” year for travel, as 88 percent of survey respondents report they plan to travel as much or more in 2023 compared to last year.
According to the research conducted by Wakefield Research, 99% of Americans are planning leisure travel in 2023, with 51% planning more than last year, despite fluctuating economic conditions.
Interest in RV travel is also on the rise, as 61% report planning to take a road trip or vacation in an RV in 2023, a 13% increase from 2022. According to these findings, RV travel has not only increased in popularity amongst outdoor travel enthusiasts, but is seeing a strong increase in interest amidst the general population when it comes to travel planning. Half of survey respondents claimed an RV or motorhome is among their top accommodation preferences, citing benefits that other accommodation options may not provide – including a kitchen (61%), less pressure to arrive and depart at a specific time (60%), and the ability to add spur of the moment detours and stops (60%) to leisure trips.
Additionally, work flexibility continues to evolve. The Travel Trends Report indicates remote work flexibility has become a permanent factor affecting lifestyle and travel decisions for many Americans. Especially of the Millennial and Gen-X survey respondents, who nearly all reported being able to work remotely, and admitted to being interested in sneaking in a vacation without calling off work when their schedules allow. This shift continues to impact how and when people travel, as well as who they share it with.
“As the travel industry continues to rapidly evolve, we focused our research on uncovering deeper insights into travelers’ preferences, concerns and desires for the year ahead,” said RVshare’s CEO, Jon Gray. “Our findings prove that RV travel is sharply trending forward as more Americans express not only a desire but a preference for this method of travel, particularly for spur-of-the-moment discovery and group travel. Between the flexibility, convenience, and affordability RV travel offers in today’s economic conditions, we are thrilled to see RVing enter the top three accommodation preferences for the majority of Americans.”
RV Travel Enters the Mainstream
As Americans look to book more leisure travel in 2023 compared to 2022, RV interest has continued to grow with 62% of travelers likely to consider renting an RV for a trip in the future. RV enthusiasts span age demographics as well, with millennials being the most interested age group, as three-quarters of respondents aged 26-41 plan to take an RV trip in 2023.
Details of the findings:
- Half of those surveyed report that an RV or motorhome are among their top three accommodations preferences.
- Parents are among the most interested with 81 percent likely to consider renting an RV for a trip in the future.
- Three-quarters (75%) of millennials, the most interested age group in RV travel, plan on taking a road trip or vacation in an RV in 2023 followed by Gen X (65%) and Gen Z (58%).
Click here to view the full report.
