Report: More Consumers Plan Camping Trip for Labor Day Weekend

Source：CHINA SPORTING GOODS FEDERATIONRelease time：2023-08-24Clicks：

Article From：SGB Media

The Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) Monthly Research Report, August 2023 Edition, found that more campers intend to camp over the upcoming Labor Day weekend than in 2022, with approximately three-fourths of campers having made plans. KOA’s report also indicates a likely boost to late summer and fall camping, with nearly 64 percent of campers delaying trips until after the Labor Day weekend.

“While fall camping has always been a great time to camp, we saw its popularity really surge during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Whitney Scott, senior vice president of strategy at KOA. “We’re not only seeing that this cooler, colorful season continues to attract more guests; campers are making a concerted choice to camp later in the year to avoid weather patterns and enjoy less crowded facilities. They aren’t looking at other travel options; rather, they are adjusting to keep camping.”

So far in 2023, weather conditions have prompted 67 percent of campers to change their travel plans, noted KOA. The top three reasons for adjusting trips this year included the heat (50 percent), cold (43 percent), or air quality (39 percent). Forecasting to 2024, KOA said campers shared that weather will impact their camping plans, including 46 percent who will book camping trips closer to their travel dates.

“We need to be very cognizant of how weather and natural phenomena can affect outdoor hospitality,” Scott affirmed. “Weather can change travel patterns and plans, but these same patterns and events can also be a big advantage. When nature puts on a show, camping can be one of the best ways to experience it.”

In the report, KOA also noted campers’ anticipation of the 2024 solar eclipse. Over half (51 percent) of campers will definitely or probably travel to a campground to see the eclipse, with nearly one-third (32 percent) sure of their travel plans. Almost half of campers have booked their 2024 trips compared to 11 percent of leisure travelers. And 30 percent of campers have booked all of their camping plans for 2024, with an additional 30 percent having booked most of their trips.

The August edition of the KOA Monthly Research Report also found that campers have a more positive economic outlook than leisure travelers. Only 20 percent of campers noted the economy is worse than in 2022 compared to 40 percent of leisure travelers, while 60 percent of campers saw improvement. Campers shared that an improved economy would allow them to spend more on food and entertainment, vacation more and plan more camping trips.