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Camping: A Leading Trend in the Travel Industry

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on travel habits. While the impact has been mostly negative, camping has seen a dramatic increase in participation. Once barren campsites experienced a rise in popularity to the extent that campsite bookings increased 500% in 2021. This significant shift towards outdoor travel is thanks to the desire to get outside after quarantine restrictions and the need for safe, social distanced adventures. The North American Camping Report confirmed in 2022 camping is leading the recovery of the travel sector.

 This shift and upswing in camping led to a big boom in the RV industry as traditional travelers discovered the joys of RV travel. The rise of the coronavirus’ effect on what we use to consider normal life had a direct correlation with the sales of motor homes, camper trailers, and other travel trailers in 2020.

The camping report also found that travelers are eager to spend time outdoors with their friends and family. Also, 60% of travelers think it’s now critical for their kids to experience the great outdoors. The sentiment suggests a long-term growing interest in the RV lifestyle.

Leisure traveler Nancy LaForce and her husband have found that RV traveling allows them to visit campsites in their place and have fun but also by traveling in the RV they are able to remote work as well. They are experiencing the best of both worlds!

While the past two years resulted in increased RV sales, increases in the cost of gas and inflation have had a great deal of impact on camping plans in 2022. Eight out of ten campers made some kind of adjustment to their camping plans due to gas prices. Nevertheless, these adjustments stemmed an unexpected camping trend which was the shift towards local camping.

Traditional RVer Cynthia Snow and her husband find themselves enjoying the recent trend to visit local campsites and parks rather than their past camping trips which included traveling across the country.

Historically camping trips took place away from home, providing a rare glimpse into a new destination. However, more campers are choosing to travel smaller distances, rather than traveling out of state. The upside of this camping trend is that it gives people the opportunity to rediscover the beauty of their local communities. The downside is that it has become so popular campers are finding it difficult to find a location to camp due to overcrowding.

Whether you choose to partake in the RV travel trend, or you’d like to stick to your traditional camping habits, the biggest trend in the outdoor world right now is just to get out there and try. And if we’ve learned anything in the last few years, it’s just how much we need the outdoors!

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Hybrid Shopping: It’s What Customers Want!

Two years into what is now the new normal consumers shopping habits are shifting. The pandemic accelerated digital shopping. Shopping online with the option of home delivery or curbside pickup provides convenience, efficiency, and a sense of safety whether buying groceries, clothing, or other consumer goods.

Consumers are embracing a hybrid approach to shopping. Whether the change is a result of individuals increased awareness to reduce monetary and carbon costs associated with shipping, supporting their local economy, or engage with others it is happening. Research found in the Top 7 Small Business Trends To Know for 2022 | Paychex Report that post the pandemic consumers are interchanging brick-and-mortar stores, using mobile apps, and shopping online to support their needs.

Consumers want it all (ibm.com) according to an IMB Report. Consumers no longer view online and offline shopping as distinct experiences – they expect everything to connect and be accessible. Older consumers that may have never considered shopping online before the pandemic, are now beginning to shift to shopping online and prefer the benefits of doing so. Consumers want the freedom to choose the most convenient shopping method for them at the time.

Online Shopping Statistics, Facts & Trends in 2022 (cloudwards.net) show the e-commerce industry and online shopping sales have become worth trillions each year. The increase in sales is a direct result of shores moving online, third-party marketplaces, and internet access across the world. Even in small rural communities, stores such as Dollar General are offering online shopping and curbside pickup through their mobile app in addition to everyday low prices for popular brands consumers use for everyday needs. Clothing Stores are now offering online shopping with home delivery along with their in-store experience. These clothing stores and locally owned boutiques are using Facebook to entice consumers and drive them to their websites.

It is unknown what amount consumers will spend online in the future. However, Statista predicts that retail e-commerce revenue will pass the $500 billion mark by the end of 2022.

Small business owners need to have a mobile-friendly, easy-to-navigate website with e-commerce options. To ensure success, small businesses need to provide options that will allow consumers to quickly find what they want and be able to do so on their mobile devices.