New research has shown caravaning and camping is the most popular type of holiday accommodation in Australia, but industry heads say the sector is still reeling as a result of COVID.
The latest insights from Tourism Research Australia showed caravaning and camping accounted for 44 per cent of all holiday nights across Australia during the September 2020 quarter.
More than 1.9 million caravan and camping holidays were undertaken by Australians nationally, creating 8.4 million nights for the September quarter alone.
While this was down 28 per cent on 2019 figures, it was still well ahead of broader tourism numbers.
Caravan Industry Association of Australia chief executive Stuart Lamont said caravaning and camping would drive the economic recovery of the visitor economy.
New research has shown caravaning and camping is the most popular type of holiday accommodation in Australia, but industry heads say the sector is still reeling as a result of COVID.
The latest insights from Tourism Research Australia showed caravaning and camping accounted for 44 per cent of all holiday nights across Australia during the September 2020 quarter.
More than 1.9 million caravan and camping holidays were undertaken by Australians nationally, creating 8.4 million nights for the September quarter alone.
While this was down 28 per cent on 2019 figures, it was still well ahead of broader tourism numbers.
Caravan Industry Association of Australia chief executive Stuart Lamont said caravaning and camping would drive the economic recovery of the visitor economy, but operators need support.
"Whilst it is important that governments make health the first priority for Australians, concerns remain for those operators and communities in border towns, transit regions and remote locations that are continuing to feel the financial pain of border closures and are not enjoying the spoils of Australia's fascination with the caravan and camping lifestyle," he said, adding some businesses face the prospect of closure.
"We call on government to look at other support programs as JobKeeper comes to an end in March, such as concessional funding for tourism operators coupled with increased access to business advisory services as well as personal tax deductions for domestic holiday travel to encourage increased demand in support of these struggling businesses."
