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RV Travelers Won't Get 'Scrooged' This Holiday Season

21 November 2000

RV Travelers Won't Get 'Scrooged' This Holiday Season

    RESTON, Va., Nov. 21 Millions of American families will
hit the roads, rails and runways this holiday season, in search of the most
convenient, least stressful route to Grandma's house.  According to a recent
survey, recreation vehicle (RV) travelers have found the best way to avoid the
Grinch and beat holiday stress associated with travel.
    Ninety percent of the RV owners responding to the Recreation Vehicle
Industry Association's (RVIA) Campfire Canvass reported feeling healthier when
they RV.  Among the most popular reasons cited were relaxation, freedom from
schedules, adventure and family togetherness.
    According to the survey, Thanksgiving weekend will be the busiest time,
with 38 percent of RV owners hitting the roads, followed by 29 percent during
Christmas and 24 percent over New Year's.
    "RVs are ideal for travel any time of year, but especially during the
holiday season," says RVIA President David J. Humphreys.  "They provide a
comfortable and stress-free way to visit relatives or go on vacation.  RVers
don't have to worry about crowded airports, flight delays or juggling hotel
reservations, because they take their homes with them."
    Today's state-of-the-art RVs contain multi-zoned air and heating systems
that allow RVers to travel comfortably anywhere in the country, whether it's
Thanksgiving in New England or Christmas in Palm Springs.  Other high-tech
features include satellite dishes to watch holiday football games, global
positioning systems to help guide the way and rooms that slide out at the push
of a button to almost double living space.
    "RV travelers can visit relatives or friends and not have to worry about
imposing on them, because all the living essentials they need are on board --
bedroom, bath and kitchen," says Humphreys. "They also have ample storage
space for holiday gifts."
    The survey also revealed that 43 percent of RVers will travel with
children or grandchildren during the holidays.  And keeping them happy and
entertained is no problem for parents and grandparents traveling in an RV.
With kitchen, bathroom, dining and sleeping facilities on board, kids feel
right at home.  Kids also can take advantage of on-board TVs, VCRs, stereos
and video game systems.  RVs also are a perfect way to travel with pets.
    RV travel not only minimizes stress and maximizes fun for parents, it also
fosters family togetherness so often absent in the hectic daily lives of
American families, according to a noted family travel expert.  "At home we
often don't get the chance to sit down and eat dinner together," says
Christine Loomis, author of Fodor's Family Adventures. "When we travel in an
RV, we eat and talk together every day.  The only schedule we're on is our
own."
    Like the Loomis family, millions of others have discovered the benefits of
RV travel.  And, despite higher gas prices, 90 percent of RV owners responding
to the survey indicated that they will travel more or about the same as last
year during this fall and winter.  The average respondent will travel for 28
days, logging more than 1,600 miles.