CMCA & Government - Collaborative Stakeholders in Australia's Future

Over the past seven years the self-contained RV tourist market has been growing at an annual rate of around 15%, and has now emerged as one of the most important and stable sectors of the tourism industry. With the baby boomers’ now retiring, this growth is expected to continue for several years.

Economic Benefits of the RV Tourist Market

In 2008, the total spend by domestic and international RV and camping tourists across Australia was $8 billion (Tourism Research Australia, 2008, Caravan & Camping Snapshot).

  • RV tourists spend an average of $500 per week when on the road
  • 97% make purchases when stopping in a town
  • Their major purchases in towns include $235 on motoring needs (such as fuel and vehicle maintenance), $160 on living expenses (including groceries and medical expenses), $34 on tourist attractions, $53 on wining and dining and $51 on accommodation costs (calculated per week)
  • Their estimated spend per vehicle per year, based on an average of 163 days travel, is approximately $10,700 - $11,500 or $66 to $74 per day
    (CMCA, 2009, Member Survey: Spend Profiles and Travel Habits & Balfour Consulting, 2003, The Social and Economic Impact of Rest Areas)

For more information on this market why not view our Self-Contained Travellers Brochure [PDF 382kb] or click the 'Economic Benefits' tab in the side menu to view it as a html page.

 

Economic Benefits of Rallies and Chapter Events

CMCA holds two national Rallies annually, which have the ability to attract more than 1,000 vehicles, or approximately 2,000 people, for their seven day duration (if not longer). These Rallies are major events, and their immediate economic impact can have positive ongoing effects for local communities. An average of $2.5 million is injected into the local area before, during and after a Rally. Rallies also encourage repeat visitation to the area, creating a foundation for tourism sustainability. Many towns are now actively seeking to host a Rally in their area, having recognised the financial and social benefits generated by the event.

In addition, there are 93 Chapters and five Special Interest Groups located throughout Australia that stage events on a regular basis. These events can extend from one weekend to an entire week in duration, injecting tourism dollars into rural and regional towns nationwide.

CMCA is committed to developing and maintaining a productive, working relationship with all levels of government in order to implement initiatives that are mutually beneficial for governments, communities and RV tourists. We aim to heighten awareness of the RV market and its needs, and assist governments in attracting this segment to their region.

CMCA has representatives in each state who liaise directly with local, state and federal government authorities and their ministers. With over 57,000 Members, CMCA is Australia’s largest RV Club and is acknowledged by government to be the ‘voice’ of the RV tourism industry.

MoTOURing Australia

CMCA strives to improve the experience for all RV tourists, not just Club Members. In order to represent this commitment, CMCA has partnered with representative bodies of the Australian caravanning community to form MoTOURing Australia.

When undertaking negotiations with governments we now represent approximately 500,000 RV tourists.

Dump Point Subsidy Scheme

In conjunction with KEA Campers Australia, CMCA operates a subsidy scheme whereby a Dump-Ezy dump point unit is provided free of charge to local authorities – with the only cost to them being for its installation.

We continue to negotiate for the placement of dump point units across the country, and as of the beginning of 2010, we have been responsible for the installation of 40% (over 190) of all public dump points in Australia.

By June 2010 we will have also placed an additional 23 of these units in Queensland under a grant from the State Department of Main Roads.

Benefits

  • Best practice for the disposal of grey and black water waste
  • RV tourists are more inclined to stay in towns where a dump point and other facilities are provided
  • Adequate facilities enhance the experience of RV tourists, encouraging them to return to the area
  • Installation of these units addresses the important environmental and health issues associated with the disposal of grey and black water waste, ensuring RV tourists have ample places to dump their waste.

Click here for more information on dump points

 

Leave No Trace® (LNT)

This scheme has proven to be another milestone in the Club’s efforts to demonstrate that self-contained vehicles need not have a negative impact on the environment. Self-contained vehicles must have the capacity to retain all waste within the vehicle, they also must carry a fresh and grey water tank and a portable toilet cassette or black water holding tank to qualify for the scheme.
LNT is devised to illustrate that responsible RV tourists can commit to a Code of Conduct to act responsibly at all times whilst travelling throughout Australia.

There are currently over 5,000 participants including CMCA Members, other RV clubs and rental hire companies (KEA Campers Australia and Maui/Britz).

Benefits

  • Council’s (or other authorities) maintenance costs for facilities are minimised
  • The local community will benefit from positive hygienic practices
  • Governments are more inclined to open areas to self-contained vehicles, ensuring adequate facilities for RV tourists and encouraging them to spend their valuable tourism dollars in the local area.
  • The creation of these rest areas fosters safer travelling practices – acting as short stopping places during a journey

Click here for more information on LNT



RV Friendly Town™ Scheme

Research has shown that international and domestic RV tourists are more likely to visit regional and rural Australia (and spend more nights there) than other visitor segments. The RV Friendly Town™ (RVFT) scheme has been designed to assist local councils in attracting these tourists to their area, thus generating a substantial financial contribution to the town’s economy.

Towns that participate in the scheme provide a number of basic necessities for self-contained RV tourists, such as short and longer term rest areas, access to a dump point, 24 hour medical services, a pharmacy and potable water. Towns that do not meet the full criteria may be designated as an RV Friendly Location™.

A third category is the RV Friendly Destination™. This category caters for destinations, such as a tourist attraction, homestead or country pub that is friendly towards all RV tourists. The destination may have an area for overnight or longer stays for tourists in recreational vehicles.

With over 100 towns across the country now participating in the RVFT scheme, this initiative has proven to be a rewarding one, building a partnership between RV tourists and rural and regional communities.

Benefits

  • Participation in this scheme attracts more RV tourists and their dollars
  • CMCA assists in the promotion of towns and their events to its 57,000 plus Members via our website and our magazine The Wanderer (distribution of 29,000)
  • Word of mouth is a priceless communication tool on the road, and travellers will support and recommend those communities that support them, and will stay longer if the atmosphere is friendly

Click here for more information on RVFT’s

Managing Rest Areas and Campgrounds

CMCA’s efforts to develop additional and improved rest area facilities for RV tourists are ongoing. The delineation between rest areas for recreational vehicles and those for commercial trucking vehicles is an important issue that needs to be addressed.

In addition, CMCA can provide councils with advice (free of charge) regarding how best to manage rest areas and campgrounds. We hope that by heightening awareness of this issue we can avoid the closure of rest areas and reduce the problems sometimes experienced by councils.

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For further information contact:

Phil Berry,
Manager Member Benefits – CMCA
Phone: (02) 49 788 709
Email: memberbenefits@cmca.net.au