As people look for ways to get out of town this summer while maintaining social distance during the COVID-19 pandemic, Chattanooga area recreational vehicle retailers and renters are seeing increased interest in RV camping from people who are trying it for the first time.
Amy Shoemaker, owner of How We Roll RV in Cleveland, Tennessee, and the website rentalrving.com, said this year the business has been contacted about rentals by more younger and first-time campers, who tend to ask more questions and request recommendations for the best places to go.
And it’s not a trend unique to this area. Shoemaker said only about half of her customers are local.
According to a survey by market research company Ipsos for the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association on travel in light of the COVID-19 crisis, 20% of U.S. respondents said they are more interested in RV travel as an option for recreational travel in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Of the 46 million Americans who plan to take an RV trip this summer, 51% reported current health concerns increased their interest in RV camping.