The RV business is booming.
While we shudder to use the words “thanks to COVID-19,” there is a strong correlation between the new realities of life during a global pandemic and people shifting their travel and leisure lifestyle, more and more of which includes or is centered around RVs and trailers.
Find out why people are buying and renting recreational vehicles, trailers and campers in record-breaking numbers, as we discuss RVing during COVID “in and out of lockdowns” in this edition of Travel Mor’s Ottawa RV blog.
RVing: A Viable Travel Option in an Era of Otherwise Depressed Travel
Air travel has been experiencing a massive downside due to concerns about COVID transmission (justifiably) and a lack of viable destinations. In fact, less than one-third of Canadians surveyed said they would travel by air without a vaccine – and even lower when US/international travel was questioned.
At the time of this article’s publishing, the Ottawa airport was down to daily departures in the single digits (as compared to triple digits just a year ago), while year-over-year passenger volume dropped from 280K in January 2020 to 34K in January 2021 (barely 1/10th of what it had been).
Rail travel in Canada has seen its woes as well, with concerns of proximity and transmission in confined public spaces. And cruises have been banned from Canadian waters once again in 2021, with no cruises likely available for Canadians sailing even from international ports until late 2021 or beyond.
That makes road trips as the most viable travel options for people living in Ottawa and across Ontario and Quebec.
If you are looking to take a city break, you’ll have destinations like Toronto, Montreal and others to choose from. At least while lockdowns are lifted and travel is not limited to essential activity only (indeed, we are dancing the precarious and tiring dance in and out of lockdowns, with social distancing and other regulations ebbing and flowing).
Even when lockdowns are not in place, so long as a proven vaccine has not yet been widely distributed across Ontario, Quebec and all over Canada, the COVID-19 virus is going to be at the forefront of public health and safety concerns.
That means that hotels and restaurants will still be under heightened need for scrutiny and enhanced protective measures by guests and management alike. If the summer of 2020 was any indication, the spring and summer of 2021 will still have people wondering whether hotels and restaurants are too risky for them, dampening much of the fun that used to come with this form of travel and leisure.
Fortunately, there is a viable and wonderful travel alternative: RVing.
We’re not exactly letting any secrets out of the proverbial bag here, folks! RV, trailer and camper sales have been through the roof in the past several months.
That’s because many travel enthusiasts have figured out that the RV lifestyle represents a way of travel and leisure that poses lower risk, enabling the RVer to experience the open road and the great destinations of Canada (and someday in the future, once again the USA) while incorporating a hotel and restaurant right into your means of transportation!
The Current RV Boom in Ottawa & Across Canada
How much of an RV boom are we talking about here?
Well, a number of RVers are experiencing wait times of several weeks or even months after ordering their RV, travel trailer or other rig. Manufacturers are reporting backlogs that are getting longer by the day.
If you’re thinking about buying a new RV or upgrading from your current rig, there’s no better time than the present to get your order in, so that you can hit the road ASAP.
Now, if you’re new to the RV lifestyle and aren’t fully ready to take the plunge, another great option is to dip your toes in the water by renting an RV or trailer.
RV rentals are a great way to give a trial run in the recreational vehicle game, without committing to purchase. Rent a rig and get out on the open road – that’s the best way to know whether it’s right for you. Not that there’s anything wrong with doing your homework, either… presumably that’s what brought you to this site and reading this article. Welcome!
With an increase in the number of RVs and trailers on the road in Ottawa and across Ontario and Quebec – as well as decreased destination options due to the US-Canada border remaining closed – the logical consequence and domino effect is increased bookings at RV sites and campgrounds.
Indeed, site bookings are filling up, with some sites already reporting a lack of vacancy for the upcoming 2021 RV and camping season.
The lesson here: Book early to ensure the best spots, and to get peace of mind that you’ll be able to enjoy some quality RV time in the coming weeks and months.
Make Sure You’re RV Ready As the Season Opens Up
At the time of publication, Ontario had been in a lockdown since the holidays but was just beginning to ease its restrictions (with unknowns about the different “variants” and how this could affect travel and movement).
The M.O. for RVing in 2021, much like it was in 2020, is going to be “play it by ear.”
Now, if that seems to fly in the face of what we just said about the imperative to book early, just make sure that your bookings are refundable in case COVID restrictions should once again impact travel.
Stay tuned to the news coming from the governments of Ontario and Quebec, as well as local authorities. Keep an eye (without obsessing, of course, ‘cause that’s not good for anyone) on the trends and numbers, and use your best judgment as to when it is safe and appropriate to travel about in your RV, trailer or camper.
When you do venture out, make sure you are able to stay in touch with RV sites and campgrounds about your bookings, and keep monitoring the fluid situation of COVID numbers, restrictions and more.
Also, don’t forget to be proactive not only with your COVID-19 protection but your preventative maintenance as well.
If your RV or trailer has been idle or dormant for weeks or months on end, you’ll want to give it a good inspection before hitting the road. For the best results, get in touch with us to book an RV service – or just to say hi and let us know what your RV plans are looking like this year.
As always, happy travels!
