New research has found that tourist park revenues are continuing to surge … in some cases, to even far higher levels than the pre-Covid world of 2019.
A study conducted by accounting and consulting network, BDO, found tourist park revenues to July this year were at $1.65 billion, not unexpectedly up from the close to $915 million brought in over the same period last year.
At the same time, the national average occupancy rate has been hovering above the 50% throughout the first half of the year, up from just the 24% across all of 2020, and easily exceeding the 35% rate recorded in 2019.
The consultancy.com.au website reports however that not all states have benefited evenly, with the Delta variation outbreaks and subsequent public health responses taking their toll on providers in Victoria and New South Wales.
In NSW, the occupancy rate sank to 16% through the month of July, and neither it nor Victoria has achieved a rate of above 30% since May. Meanwhile, the Northern Territory, Queensland, and Western Australia have all notched record monthly occupancy during the same period.
The Northern Territory, in particular, has managed to record a peak of 70% occupancy, with grey nomads and other travellers scrambling for the border following lockdown announcements elsewhere becoming a familiar sight over the past 18 months.
Western Australia and Queensland have also recently achieved peaks of above 55%.
However, the BDO research found that South Australia and Tasmania – both largely unaffected by Covid in recent months – have suffered from low occupancy rates since winter, suggesting a market impacted by a lack of interstate travel along with seasonal factors.
The tourist park sectors of both states have however significantly increased revenues against 2019, especially South Australia, which is up by $63 million for an 80% increase. Tasmania has added $11 million, to be up by 42%.
The consultancy.com.au website reports that overall, every state and territory has increased its revenues since before the pandemic, with the Western Australian market growing by almost $100 million, or 61%, despite adopting a hard-line border closure policy.
“While the sector is yet to make up for the huge losses experienced in 2020, it is positive to see this upturn in Australians booking trips to their local tourist parks,” Angus Strachan, BDO partner told consultancy.com.au. “With overseas travel off the cards for a while, this provides a great opportunity for our tourist parks to win back the affections of local travellers.”
BDO’s research was conducted in conjunction with the Caravan Industry Association of Australia.
Why would anyone be surprised. Here in Western Australia, due to very good Government management, we are living a relatively normal life.
Our money is being spent at home, not on cruises and trips to the old countries. Wait until Covid 19 is controlled with 80+% vaccination and the rush will be on. Every man and his dog will be trying to leave. I say to Caravan Parks and manufacturers, make hay while the sun shines.
Looks like they are packed in very closely!
Just the sort of van park we avoid, especially when there so many free or national parks sites where you have plenty of space!
John Walker – Can I say the Caravan Park operators do not cater for people like you, never have, never will. Caravan Parks will be full for many years to come. You enjoy your free spaces, whilst others will enjoy the Caravan Parks.
Agree totally with John
we don’t usually use our van in van parks during school holidays and public holidays, this year we were wanting to go to Melbourne during January to visit family from the UK who were flying into Melbourne to visit their own family.
We inquired on the web for a price at a van park in Melbourne that we have previously used out of season which was a reasonable price per night then.
The quote for 4 nights for a powered site was $1,785. I thought it was a joke, No powered site is worth that expense, I hope the park is empty for the next year and they go broke, this is ridiculous.
We found we could share the families 2 bedroom unit in the middle of the city at less than $150 per night. We sure won’t be using any van park during high season ever.
We thought the same on Sunshine Coast. A grassed site with water only $120 a night these school holidays. We booked a motel for $155 a night instead. Just wondering if that is why there are so many vans for sale? High diesel prices, high food prices and exorbitant prices charged by caravan parks. They’ll shoot themselves in the foot when travellers avoid their businesses.