RV Industry Continues to Show Improvement in Canada

Go RVing Canada has revealed Canadian RV show attendance and sales figures for 2011, which the organization says demonstrates that the RV industry is healthier than ever.

In 2011, the 31st Annual Edmonton RV Exposition & Sale and 42nd Annual Calgary RV Show and Sale both saw impressive increases in attendance figures, reporting 45.2% and 11.42% increases respectively. The Toronto Fall RV Show saw an 11.53% increase this year compared to the previous year. The Ottawa Spring RV Show saw bigger crowds than last year on both the Friday and Saturday, with an overall total of 17,084 visitors.

According to Go RVing Canada, Canadians were also taking advantage of the incredible sales this year, buying RVs directly from dealers at the shows. The Québec and Montréal RV shows saw increases in sales, reporting 27.93% and 5.47% increases respectively.

Go RVing Canada also reports that total retail sales at RV dealerships in Canada have surged close to pre-recession levels with sales up 18.4% across the country for 2010.

As well, summer bookings in campgrounds are up 12% this year, according to the Toronto region Conservation Authority. Similarly, Ontario Parks says it has also been seeing much higher numbers than usual at Canadian provincial parks, with reservations up by 11 per cent.

“These recent figures confirm that regardless of the increase in fuel prices, Canadians still believe that RVing is the most affordable and flexible vacation option,” says Go RVing Canada spokesperson Angèle Lapointe. “An RV vacation remains an extremely economical way for families to travel.”