Exploring the attitudes and behaviours of recreational vehicle users

Little is known of the attitudes and behaviours of the growing number of recreational vehicle users (RVers), yet debate over the sector is commonplace. This research utilised a survey at different RV campsites in Victoria, Australia, to determine RVers’ attitudes and behaviours towards the environment, including their perception of the outdoors as a place that elicits a sense of spirituality. The respondents could largely be described as ‘spiritual environmentalists’. An increased sense of spirituality and environmentalism did not relate to environmental impact or expenditure, but rather to a propensity to camp in undisturbed areas. Those who showed a propensity to free camp were less ecocentric and tended to spend less money than others. Environmental impact was independent of attitudes and behaviours. The diversity amongst RVers illustrates the need for different types of overnight parking facilities to attract and satisfy all. Management implications

1. Caravan and Recreation Vehicle (RV) Parks that offer only one style of overnight camping will not be attractive to all Recreational Vehicle (RV) Users.

2. Regions should offer a spectrum of camping opportunities to the diverse RV market.

3. This study challenges opponents of free camping by illustrating that free camping RVers do spend money in local communities and consequently may enhance economic development in remote and regional communities.

4. Those who own RVs with black water storage tend to seek out overnight camp sites with no fees, yet despite this, they still spend more money than other types of RVs.