Low loonie and lower gas prices driving RV staycations

by Keith Morgan on Friday, February 12th, 2016

Keith Morgan at the wheel

Klahanie Camp 02

Grand Prize RV

 

 

Organizers of this weekend’s Earlybird RV Show and Sale at Tradex in Abbotsford are optimistic that the trend towards so-called ‘staycations’ will result in more people enjoying the RV lifestyle.

A recent Conference Board of Canada report showed that Canadian travel within the country increased by 2.8 per cent last year and is expected to increase again by 2.4 per cent this year – primarily due to the low loonie and lower gas prices.

“There is no question that a low Canadian dollar and lower gas prices are encouraging people to spend their vacation dollars closer to home and many of those individuals look toward RVing,” says Amanda Henschell, organizer of British Columbia’s only spring RV show.

“Every year we see more people attending our show and sale. I expect the 2016 show will attract even more attendees as fans from past years and curious onlookers recognize RVs make for a perfect holiday because they allow for flexibility in planning and in many cases are simply more affordable.”

In Canada, the Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association of Canada reported since 2012, the RV industry had been growing steadily with a marked increase in RV sales in 2014 when 14 percent of all Canadian households owned an RV.

Henschell says this year’s show is the perfect opportunity for people looking to either enter the RV vacation space for the first time, or upgrade their current RV as they make vacation plans.

As in years past, this year’s show will feature hundreds of the newest RV models in all price categories. Attendees will get to see the ultimate display of all open-road RVs, destinations and products as well as hear the latest tips and travel advice on a wide range of topics from industry experts.

Driveway Editor Keith Morgan, whose “RVing for Novices” presentation is designed to entertain and inform. He will share tips and jokes about his recent six-day, 1,200-kilometre road trip through BC.

Showgoers will also get the opportunity to win a valuable Wildwood X-Lite travel trailer.

For show info: www.rvshowsbc.com

Earlybird RV Show & Sale

DATES: Feb. 18 – 21, 2016
LOCATION: TRADEX – Fraser Valley Trade & Exhibition Centre, Abbotsford – 1190 Cornell St.
HOURS: Thursday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sunday, February 21, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
ADMISSION: Adults: $8; Seniors: $6 (60+); Youth: $5 (13-19); Children: Free (12 & under); Family Pack: $20 (two Adults & up to 4 Youth); Multi-Day Pass: $10 (Adults and/or Youth).