While the number of Wicked vans, and Britz and Apollo vehicles marauding along the highways and byways of Australia often seems to be growing by the day … the truth is somewhat different.
The number of international visitors wanting to hire an RV and hit the road has apparently been falling thanks to the high Aussie dollar which has made travelling here less palatable for those on a budget.
A new IBISWorld Market Research Report into Caravan and Motorhome Rentals says shaky consumer sentiment since the global financial crisis, and the declining interest in domestic tourism activity have also been major challenges.
“The industry has had to endure a mixture of circumstantial challenges and perks over the past five years,” industry analyst Craig Shulman told IBISWorld. “This was not assisted by the rising value of the Australian dollar and the lowering price of international airfares.”
Nonetheless, Mr Shulman says that, because it is a budget tourism option, the RV rental industry has not been as dramatically affected as other areas of the tourism industry.
He also says the RV rental industry has benefited from the ageing of the population, which has increased the number of retirees who have greater amounts of free time and are less prone towards travelling abroad.
Have you noticed less – or more – hire vehicles on the roads? Do you always assume they are international visitors? Have you ever hired a campervan or motorhome? Comment below.
In the last 5 day break we had at a CP there was a constant flow of Maui’s, Britz, Apollo’s and a number of wizz bangs. We spoke to one driver and family and they have been travelling around Aus and were leaving Victoria to go to SA then off to Perth then to Indonesia. There still seems to be plenty of these vehicles travelling the country.
we hire a britz van for a 3 week trip to Darwin, it was a great way to travel. we now have our own camper trailer for trips.
we hired a hi-ace when we went to tassie a couple of years ago, it was cheaper to fly and hire than it was to take our own vehicle also we didn’t have to time to take our own, then we noticed a lot of those wicked vans around don’t see a lot now
I have hired a MH for a week and had difficulty in hiring one as there were none available. Certainly seen many hire vans on the road during my travels. There were none in the caravan parks that i stayed at though.
Great way to travel and test the waters.