Caravan industry defying cost of living pressures, says manufacturer
The caravan industry is continuing to defy cost of living pressures with a boom in “high-value, short-stay travel”, according to Australian manufacturer Crusader Caravans.
Reaffirming 2025 data which shows more Aussies are hitting the road to explore their own backyard rather than heading overseas, Crusader Caravans founder and chief executive, Serge Valentino, said the Australian industry remains buoyant halfway through the year – even comparing current sales to that of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the country’s borders were largely shut off.
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“We’re seeing a clear shift towards people wanting to buy vans for shorter, more frequent trips rather than long holidays,” said Valentino.
“With the recent release of our new MY25 models, we’re seeing a surge in demand that’s reminiscent of the unprecedented levels experienced during the COVID pandemic.
“Australians are certainly feeling the pinch as economic pressures intensify, and cost-of-living challenges affect holidays. Yet the travel sector remains resilient, with many determined to prioritise time off which is reflected in the rise of shorter trips — by shortening getaways, people can travel more frequently.”
A survey conducted by the Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) earlier this year revealed the cost of living crisis has affected the travel plans of 58 per cent of Australians.
Of those surveyed, 38 per cent said they would opt for shorter holidays than originally planned, while 31 per cent said they would holiday in Australia rather than overseas.
“Caravanning lends itself beautifully to the impromptu nature of short stays,” commented Valentino. “There's no accommodation or flight bookings needed, you just hitch up your caravan and go, allowing you to travel off-season and stay as far or as close to home as you wish.”
Earlier this year, the Caravan Industry Association of Australia’s 2025 Consumer Sentiment Report revealed 88 per cent of respondents planned to caravan or camp in the next year.
The report also found that Aussies are embracing the value of caravan and camping holidays. The survey found 77 per cent believed caravan and camping holidays offered better value than other types of holidays, while 50 per cent believed domestic travel delivers better value than heading overseas.
Upcoming data from the Tourism Research Australia is expected to show a rebound in domestic tourism in the second quarter of 2025, after a “softening” of results in the first quarter partly owed to natural disasters in key tourism regions.
