They say July is like the Saturday of summer.
This year, we are embracing the month with perhaps even more enthusiasm than usual. More like Saturday in stereo and Christmas morning combined! After a long and uncertain time spent in lockdown, collectively we are breathing a big sigh of relief as the restrictions finally start to lift, and the vaccine rollout is at an all-time high.
While we revel in patio time and non-essential stores reopening, Ontarians are definitely ready for some out-of-town travel and adventure too. For some that may mean making international travel plans, for others, the findings of an Expedia.ca survey has shown that Canadians continue to prefer local and provincial travel destinations this summer, despite the Covid-19 case numbers waning.
CANADIAN WANDERLUST
The pandemic threw a wrench in many businesses. The RV industry was not one of them. In 2020, the industry experienced an exponential surge in both sales and rentals as it promised safe and self-contained travel. RV Brand Specialist, Brian Heringer at Owasco in Bowmanville, Ontario, affirms this growth was happening even before the pandemic, and now it is just off the charts. “We can’t keep up with the demand,” says Heringer. “It’s a lifestyle choice people of all ages have tuned in to,” And this upswing is due to a lot of first-time RVers who dipped their toe in the water last summer in between lockdowns and are now full-on converts.
THE WORD IS OUT
Traditionally associated with retired couples who hit the road during the fair season months and then lodge in hot, sunny climes like Florida in the winter, now more and more people are discovering the thrill of RVing. Heringer sites the Zion SRT from Roadtrek as popular with the 55+ age group. It may be small in size but mighty in its offerings. This compact RV offers all the creature comforts of home, which include a full kitchen with ample storage space, a large pot drawer and slide-out pantry. It has an enclosed bathroom with shower and a rear sofa that easily transforms into a queen size bed.
THE UPWARD TREND MARCHES ON
According to RVezy’s new survey, RVing and camping ranked as the safest travel options for 2021, with over 70% of Canadians considering the activities as not risky. In fact, 93% of Canadians mentioned “doing something safe” as a top priority for their vacation plans this year. There is no denying that nature and being outdoors has proved invaluable during the long lockdowns, and now even as fully vaccinated Canadians can resume a somewhat “normal” life moving forward, the appeal of the great outdoors has certainly not lost its lustre.
Join us next time and meet the Transitions Realty team as we share what we saw and learned during a tour of the showroom and grounds at Owasco. Interested in finding the RV model right for you? Find out the top three questions you need to ask yourself first.
