The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has destroyed the economies of many industries, and it may take a while for them to recover. That said, a few things have been doing better than ever in light of the pandemic. One of those things is the camping and RV industry, and now is one of the best times that anyone can try it out.

What the data says 

According to RV News, back when COVID-19 was still new to everyone, the travel industry completely collapsed overnight due to lockdowns and travel restrictions. This was a good idea, as it helped contain the virus, but at the same time, it also cost a lot of people their livelihoods.

That said, a few months later, the travel industry has rebounded, but not in terms of air travel. Instead, short trips and weekend getaways seem to be the new norm. 

This makes a lot of sense, as many people don’t think that it’s a good idea to get on a plane with others to fly to a destination. For many Americans, a short drive is all they need to experience the great outdoors.

As a result, RV News said that there has been a massive uptick of people who are looking for weekend getaways, lake trips, campgrounds, etc. This reflects American’s desire to drive to their vacation spot rather than fly there. 

Why the RV industry will benefit from the popularity of camping

While many Americans are accustomed to the idea of just packing a few bags, putting them in their car, and then going on a road trip, RVs, truck toppers, and similar pieces of equipment are far better suited for the job. It’s one thing to go on a road trip to the lake to hang out for the afternoon, but it’s another thing to actually go camping seriously. 

That’s why the RV industry will benefit from this uptick in interest in short day trips. The RV industry offers people who might have considered buying tickets to Hawaii or the Bahamas to instead use that money to buy camping gear or, in some cases, even an entire camper van. After all, the RV industry has a lot of options for everyone, so a lot of people who are curious about camping can explore what the RV industry has to offer.

Not only that, but there’s also the potential that this uptick of interest in short vacations might lead to a permanent growth of the RV industry. It’s entirely possible that the pandemic will cause people who weren’t otherwise interested in camping to go camping in an RV and then fall in love with it. 

Why a camper van can be a good investment right now

A full-fledged camper van isn’t cheap, but for those who are sick of staying at home all day and don’t want to risk getting on a plane, a camper van can be a good investment. Camper vans are generally well-equipped vehicles, and they are a great way to go on short vacations without having to worry about much. 

For example, anyone can pack up a few tents in their car and take their family out on a camping trip. However, with an RV, that person and their family can sleep on a real bed. Sleeping in a tent can be fun of course, but not everyone wants to do that on their vacation. RVs typically also have facilities that campers take for granted, such as bathrooms and showers. 

Of course, not every family interested in camping needs a big camper van for a single vacation. But, with how long the COVID-19 pandemic has been going on, a camper van can be a good way to go on multiple vacations throughout the year.