The allure of exploratory travel experiences is fueling significant growth in the camping and outdoor hospitality sector, as revealed by recent findings.
A comprehensive report from Kampgrounds of America (KOA) highlights a notable shift in outdoor travel preferences and identifies emerging trends expected to shape 2024.
Over the past decade, more than 41 million North American households have embarked on their inaugural camping trips, underscoring the mainstream appeal of outdoor adventures.
Key insights from KOA’s annual Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report for the upcoming 2024 season include:
- Health and Wellness Focus: An overwhelming 79% of travelers are planning to integrate forest immersion, meditation, yoga, and mindful strolls into their camping excursions.
- Top Travel Goals: The prevailing objectives for 2024 include embracing a slower pace and relishing experiences (57%), recharging (50%), seeking diverse experiences (41%), and embracing spontaneity (34%).
- Interest in Natural Attractions: Campers are keenly interested in natural events (50%), food tourism (31%), exploring small towns (29%), and blending work with leisure travel (25%).
- Rise of Glamping: The allure of glamping has attracted 15.7 million newcomers to outdoor hospitality over the past five years alone.
- Increased Camping Frequency: There has been an impressive 98% surge in households camping three or more times annually since 2014.
- Demographic Shifts: The demographics of campers are evolving, with a younger and more diverse cohort taking to the outdoors. Nearly half of recent campers (in the last two years) are under 35 years old, up from 30% in 2014.
- Additionally, 39% of campers identify as non-white, marking a significant 54% increase in camping participation among people of color.
The report underscores a notable transformation in outdoor travel preferences, driven by a desire for wellness, diverse experiences, and a deeper connection with nature. As the camping landscape continues to evolve, industry stakeholders are poised to cater to the evolving demands and expectations of today’s adventurous travelers.