In the latest episode of MC Fireside Chats, the show welcomed a mix of returning guests and a special guest to discuss the evolving landscape of outdoor hospitality and the RV industry. The show, hosted by Brian Searl of Insider Perks and Modern Campground, delved into various topics including RV sales and consumer behavior, campground occupancy, and international trends. Phil Ingrassia, President of the RV Dealers Association of the US, joined the panel and shared insights from Go RVing’s recent study on RV purchase intentions. He reported that between 60% and 70% of “COVID buyers” (those who purchased RVs between 2020 and 2023) are interested in purchasing RVs again. Ingrassia noted that this figure was higher than his initial expectation of 40% and that the industry is entering a repurchase cycle. He also acknowledged the current macroeconomic issues influencing sales. When asked about the gap between interest and actual purchase, Ingrassia highlighted that the “want to” is present, which offers opportunity. Rafael Correa, President and CFO of Blue Water Hospitality, provided an update on his company’s portfolio of RV resorts. He reported that Blue Water Hospitality is at 104% of the same revenue as last year, attributing this to a significant uptake in long-term and seasonal sales, as well as vacation rentals. He noted a recent surge in transient RV bookings, which had been lagging previously. Correa also observed a shortening of the booking window, with consumers making plans closer to their stay dates due to increased inventory availability and user-friendly booking systems. He emphasized the importance of encouraging people into the RVing lifestyle to maintain industry growth and highlighted the dynamic nature of campground inventory, allowing for shifts to meet consumer demand. Simon Neal, Founder and CEO of Camp Map, offered a European perspective, sharing data from France. He reported a sharp rise in international tourism for Q1 and Q2, driven by neighboring countries and also growth from Canada and China. Summer bookings across the entire tourism sector in France were up 16% from last year. For outdoor hospitality specifically, there was a 1.7% growth in overnight stays. Neal also highlighted that price is the most important factor for 39% of current bookings, with 60% of people wanting to spend less than $1,000 per person on their summer holiday. He mentioned the average site rate per night in Europe is around $60. Scott Bahr, President of Cairn Consulting Group, echoed Phil Ingrassia’s sentiment about consumer interest, stating that it is “sitting out there” and represents an opportunity. He noted that interest is up over last year, though it is not always translating into immediate sales. Bahr suggested that 25% to 30% of interested individuals are holding off due to economic uncertainty and price concerns. He also emphasized that the ability to use an RV (e.g., parking, operating) is a significant barrier for many, particularly for COVID-era buyers, with 40% experiencing operational issues. Bahr asserted that actively using an RV, such as through rentals, has a much higher impact on purchase likelihood compared to staying in a static RV on-site. Susan Brenton, Executive Director of the Arizona Outdoor Hospitality Association, shared insights from Arizona’s market. She noted that hotel rates in areas like Phoenix and Scottsdale are typically higher, with groups paying $200-$225 per night for a hotel. Brenton indicated that her association doesn’t collect specific occupancy or revenue data but shared anecdotal evidence. She highlighted that Canadian travelers, who usually contribute a large influx to Arizona’s RV parks during winter, have an impact on year-round park model rentals. Brenton also discussed legislative issues faced by the association, particularly concerning a growing trend of people living year-round in RVs due to economic factors. She estimated that it’s around 30%, while a tenants’ association claims it’s 50%. This trend has led to legislative challenges, such as a bill requiring landlords to allow air conditioning replacement in RV parks. The discussion also touched on the cost of RV rentals, with Scott Bahr reporting a small towable costing about $275 per night, plus campsite fees, making it over $300 per night. Simon Neal found similar pricing in Europe, with shoulder season rentals around $140 per night and peak season reaching $270 or more for smaller units. Phil Ingrassia acknowledged these prices, stating that they are typical for high-usage seasons, but compared them to the high costs of other recreational activities like cruises or theme parks. Rafael Correa added that $300 a night could be a good deal if traveling with a family, as it might equate to two hotel rooms, and highlighted the added value of campground amenities for families. Rafael Correa further discussed the recent Wall Street Journal article titled “Even Warren Buffett hasn’t fixed the RV industry’s serial breakdowns,” which highlighted quality issues with RV manufacturing. He emphasized that this negative publicity impacts the entire industry. Phil Ingrassia responded by stating that the RV Dealers Association and RV Industry Association are actively working to improve “repair event cycle time” (RECT). He noted that manufacturers have adjusted production levels to match demand, which should naturally lead to quality improvements. Ingrassia also mentioned that manufacturers are investing in new systems, people, and processes to enhance quality, as the industry understands the need to reduce repairs on newer units. The panel discussed the impact of the COVID-era boom on the industry. Rafael Correa reflected on the pre-COVID annual growth rate of camper households, which was around 12%. He suggested that the industry might have been better off maintaining that steady growth rather than experiencing the unprecedented surge during COVID, which caused significant stress on labor and demand. Scott Bahr supported this, stating that a graphic he created shows that “had COVID never happened, the RV industry would be ahead of where we’re at right now based on that trend line”. The conversation concluded with a forward-looking perspective on reducing friction in the outdoor hospitality experience. Rafael Correa emphasized Blue Water’s focus on removing friction for customers making reservations and encouraged the industry to promote the RV and camping lifestyle with the least possible friction. Brian Searl provocatively suggested that in 20 years, self-driving RVs might make the lifestyle more accessible and affordable, allowing more people to experiment with it. The show concluded with a reminder about future episodes and where to find more information about the guests’ organizations.