Collaborating with Government

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 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
  • Their major purchases in towns include $235 on motoring needs (including fuel and vehicle maintenance), $160 on living expenses such as groceries and medical expenses, $34 on tourist attractions, $53 on wining and dining and $51 on accommodation costs (calculated per week)
    (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 the previous brochure, produced in 2005, click here.

CMCA is working with government at all levels to help them effectively understand this market and its needs, and provide facilities and services that will attract this emerging segment to their region. It aims to provide services and schemes that are mutually beneficial for governments, communities and RV tourists.

CMCA has representatives in each state to liaise and negotiate directly with local, state and federal government authorities and their ministers. CMCA is now acknowledged by government to be the ‘voice’ of the RV tourism industry.

MoTOURing Australia

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

When negotiating with government for improved facilities, 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% 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 Department of Main Roads in that state.

Benefits

  • Best practice for the disposal of grey and black water waste
  • RV tourists are more inclined to stay in a town where a dump point and other facilities are provided
  • Installation of these units addresses the very 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. LNT is devised to show government that responsible RV tourists can commit to a Code of Conduct to do the right thing at all times whilst travelling throughout Australia.

Participants include CMCA Members, other RV clubs and rental hire companies (KEA Campers and Maui/Britz). LNT will only continue to expand as more RV tourists acknowledge their environmental responsibilities.

Benefits

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

Click here for more information on LNT

RV Friendly Town™

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) programme has been designed to assist local councils in encouraging these tourists to their area, thus making a substantial financial contribution to the town’s economy.

Towns that participate in this programme provide a number of basic necessities for self-contained RV Tourists, such as short and longer term rest areas (with 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 programme has proven the worth of the dollars spent by RV tourists in smaller communities.

Benefits

  • Participation in this scheme attracts more RV tourists and their dollars
  • CMCA will assist in the promotion of your town and its events to 56,000 plus Members via our website and our magazine The Wanderer
  • 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 this scheme

Rest Areas

CMCA continues to work with governments for additional and improved rest area facilities for RV tourists. The delineation between rest areas for recreational vehicles and those for commercial trucking vehicles is an important issue that we need to continue to address.

Managing Rest Areas and Campgrounds

In addition, CMCA can provide councils with advice (free of charge) regarding how to manage their rest areas and campgrounds. We hope that by working with government on 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