** Survey Shows RVers Are More Concerned with Watching Their Waistlines Than Their Budgets This Year **
Despite the current state of the economy, 71 percent of RVers claim that the current financial crisis will not impact their RV travel plans this holiday season. An overwhelming 81 percent said they will travel the same, if not more than last year, with more than two out of three RVers reported planning to travel more than 250 miles this holiday season.
According to a recent holiday travel survey conducted by the Good Sam Club, the world’s largest RV owner’s organization with more than one million member families, most RV owners plan to use their motor home during the holidays, breaking the myth that RVs are only used for summer vacation travel. RVers point to the overall sense of freedom as the most valuable component of RV travel.
“RV travel will be up significantly, with 33 percent of our members planning to travel more and another 48 percent planning to travel the same amount as last year,” said Sue Bray, executive director of the Good Sam Club. “With gas prices continuing to go down, RVers appreciate the convenience and cost effectiveness of traveling in their RVs without having to deal with extra airline costs, lost luggage, or flight delays. Something fun we learned from this study is that RVers find it tougher to stick to their diets than to their travel budgets.”
The survey results also showed that RVers don’t forget their holiday spirit when celebrating the season in their motor homes, as more than a third plan to decorate their rigs this year. Among those that do, 43 percent decorate their rigs with lights, 38 percent decorate their entire RV campsite, 36 percent decorate their dashboard, while 34 percent put a Christmas tree in their rig.
Eighty four percent of respondents said the comfort of home was their biggest motivator for choosing RV travel over airline travel this year. RVers prefer the advantage of cooking their own meals, having their pets nearby, and putting their own personal touches on their motor homes.
The survey was sent to 10,000 Good Sam Club members, November 10-16, 2008. This is the first year that the Good Sam Club has polled its members on holiday travel and the factors behind their 2008 travel plans. For the complete survey, see below; and for more information on the Good Sam Club, log ontowww.goodsamclub.com.
Good Sam Club 2008 Holiday Travel Survey Results:
| 1. When do you plan to use your RV during the holiday season? |
|
Response Percent |
| For Thanksgiving |
33% |
| For Christmas/Chanukah |
30% |
| For New Year’s |
28% |
| For general November/December vacation travel |
57% |
| To attend sporting events |
4% |
| |
| 2. Where are you traveling to this holiday season? |
|
Response Percent |
| A sunny coast/beach |
58% |
| Snowy mountains with power sports/toys |
5% |
| Family/friends homes |
49% |
|
|
| 3. How far will you be traveling this holiday season? |
|
Response Percent |
| Less than 60 miles |
6% |
| Between 60 and 100 miles |
9% |
| Between 100 and 250 miles |
17% |
| More than 250 miles |
68% |
|
|
| 4. Do you ever use your RV as an extra room for visiting relatives during the holiday season? |
|
Response Percent |
| Yes |
42% |
| No |
58% |
|
|
| 5. Will the current state of the economy affect your travel plans this holiday season? |
|
Response Percent |
| Yes |
29% |
| No |
71% |
|
|
| 6. What are your greatest concerns about traveling in your RV this holiday season? |
|
Response Percent |
| I have no major concerns |
42% |
| Traveling on icy or foggy roads |
19% |
| Parking your rig |
3% |
| Increased travel time due to crowded highways |
6% |
| Gas prices |
30% |
|
|
| 7. Compared to your holiday travel by RV last year, do you plan to travel by RV more than, less than, or about the same as you did last year? |
|
Response Percent |
| More than last year |
33% |
| Less than last year |
19% |
| The same amount as last year |
48% |
|
|
| 8. What is your greatest motivation to travel by RV during the holidays? |
|
Response Percent |
| Tradition |
15% |
| Affordability |
14% |
| Convenience |
70% |
|
|
| 9. What are the most positive points of traveling by RV during the holidays? |
|
Response Percent |
| The overall freedom |
70% |
| Flexibility of schedule |
58% |
| Less hassles |
47% |
| Quality time with family & friends |
38% |
|
|
| 10. What is the main reason you prefer RV over air travel this holiday season? |
|
Response Percent |
| You never lose your bags in your RV |
2% |
| You’re in the comfort of your own home |
84% |
| You don’t have to deal with ridiculous airport security lines |
11% |
| You get three full meals |
3% |
|
|
| 11. What is more difficult to stick to while traveling in your RV during the holidays? |
|
Response Percent |
| Your budget |
45% |
| Your diet |
55% |
|
|
| 12. Do you decorate your rig for the holidays? |
|
|
Response Percent |
| Yes |
37% |
| No |
63% |
|
|
| 13. How do you show your fellow road warriors your holiday spirit? |
|
Response Percent |
| Lights outside your rig |
43% |
| Tree that you can see from the outside |
34% |
| Hang a wreath from your grill |
16% |
| Decorate your campsite |
38% |
| Decorate your dashboard |