Vancouver, B.C., July 29, 2008 – The Camping and RVing British Columbia Coalition (CRVBCC) announced its official launch today as a non-profit organization created to raise awareness of the wide range of camping and recreational vehicle (RV) experiences across the province of B.C. Among many initiatives, the Coalition is committed to increasing the economic impact of this growing tourism sector.

The CRVBCC was formed with the support of Tourism British Columbia to position the province as offering an incredible variety of camping and RVing experiences, capitalizing on the growth of nature-based tourism. Coalition members currently include BC Parks, BC Lodging & Campgrounds Association (BCLCA), BC Forest Recreation Sites operated by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, the RV Rental Association of Canada (RVRAC), Northern BC Tourism Association, the BC Society of Parks Facility Operators, Parks Canada, Tourism Dawson Creek and Northern Rockies Alaskan Highway Tourism Association.

The Coalition’s objectives include increasing the awareness and profile of British Columbia as the premier destination for camping and RVing in the Pacific Northwest and facilitating visitors’ experiences by making it easy for them to search, plan, book, and enjoy their British Columbian camping or RV experience.

“Coalition members believe that the camping and RVing industry is an integral part of British Columbia’s economic fabric,” says Coalition chair Joss Penny and Executive Director of the BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association (BCLCA). “B.C. is a leader in outdoor adventure and authentic nature-based experiences with many wilderness, fishing and hiking amenities that are best discovered through camping and RVing.”

The CRVBCC is undertaking strategic and proactive marketing initiatives including production of promotional marketing materials, a travel media outreach program, and the launch of a new webpage www.campingrvbc.com which will serve as an important gateway resource for anyone interested in planning a camping or RVing trip in B.C. “The Camping and RVing BC Coalition serves as an example of what can be achieved when tourism stakeholders combine efforts and resources ultimately building a strong partnership,” said Richard Lewis, Director, Sector Development and City Destinations, Tourism BC. “Together this group has expanded the vision of what this sector can do for tourism in our province.”

Key Facts About B.C.’s Camping and RVing Sector

  • Currently there are 569 Tourism BC approved privately operated campgrounds with 26,701 campsites.
  • In 2006, an estimated $80 million in revenue was generated from Tourism BC approved campgrounds.
  • B.C.’s Provincial Parks provide 340 vehicle accessible campgrounds and 11,075 campsites with an estimated $11.3 million in direct revenue.
  • The RV Rental Association of Canada’s six members across B.C. operate 2,300 vehicles and link with major UK, German, Swiss, French and Dutch tour operators. RV rentals account for an estimated 250,000 campground nights, $15 million in food purchases and an additional $6 million in other expenditures.
  • There are 1,300 BC Forest Recreation Sites on Crown land, managed by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. These sites commonly include campgrounds, day-use areas, boat launches and other facilities and the prices range from $0 to $15 per night.
  • B.C.’s seven national parks provide 14 campgrounds with over 825 vehicle accessible campsites.

The CRVBCC is an independent organization developed as an initiative of Experiences BC, a sector based program created by Tourism British Columbia to support the province-wide development of market-ready tourism products. For more information on camping and RVing in B.C. visit www.campingrvbc.com.

Media Contact:
Tartan Public Relations 250-592-3838
Bridget Frewer, 250-889-0441 [email protected]
Deirdre Campbell, 250-882-9199, [email protected]
Coalition Chair Joss Penny 604-945-7676