Will grey nomads eventually run out of places to camp?
The growing number of grey nomads, and the strength of the camping market in general, is translating into continuing boom in the recreational vehicle manufacturing sector.
According to a report in the Australian newspaper, Jacyo is to create another 250 jobs at its manufacturing plant in Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges, where 1200 staff are already employed.
However, Jayco chairman, Gerry Ryan, is warning that the industry could face issues if property developers continue to buy up camping grounds.
“Developers have come in and bought caravan parks because of the return on investments,” he told the Australian. “The industry will be facing shortages of land.”
He told the Australian that the recreational vehicle market had been growing since 2009, and he was increasingly knocking back private equity firms wanting to buy into the business.
However, new data suggest that it is not just Australian grey nomads and families that are driving the demand for sites at caravan parks and camping areas.
The Australian reports that overseas visitors were increasingly discovering the Outback and the joys of camping in Australia.
There’s been a 38% jump in American tourists camping here, a 14% rise in British travellers and a 17% increase in Germans hitting our roads and camping grounds.
And Chinese campers are also beginning to have an impact. John O’Sullivan, managing director of Tourism Australia, told the Australian that Chinese tourists were increasingly driving themselves when visiting this country, with Tasmania being among their most favoured destinations.
· Have any of your favourite camping areas or caravan parks been sold to developers in recent years? Comment below.
Why is it always about money, people have become increasingly greedy. And
Yep and the prices that are charged by park owners is also causing gery nomads to camp elsewhere. This will only get worse as fees rise by greed park owners. I must say at this point that not ALL park owners are the same. Echuca $150 for a van site, all be it during boat race week. Same site $54 outside race week!!!!
And surly you don’t think that $54 per night is justifiable?
Surely this should be a strong message to the government both local state and federal! Instead of local governments working hard at squeezing out Grey Nomads from free parking and putting money into their towns they could be entrepreneurial and create spaces to accommodate travelers. Not much future planning happening.
Town planners and local councils and chamber of commerce.
Dont seem to understand that if they provide some lovely 24 or 48 hour FREE camping spots with rubbish bins and water ,designated in your town then Grey Nomads will come , word of mouth travels fast …
We fuel up , bakeries , newsagents , gas bottle refills , pharmacy , post office supermarket ect . All local businesses will benefit financially from us on road travellers . There is also an AVIOD that town list for those towns that do not allow free camping …
Sharon E
The wise Park owner will keep his price reasonable as they will get grey nomads business when the greedy one has priced himself out of the game as word gets around. We often see campers pitch their tent on a powered site; when queried why they chose a powered site, they say ” Do you realise the price difference?” Minimum! So it’s not power costs the issue, just sheer greed by many Park operators.
Land tax rates etc are the same if it is a powered site or not, so why would a park owner have any unpowered sites.
Not all greed folks. You pay the same all year round.