A new study for the Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) of Canada says that the RV industry has become big business in Canada. In 2011, the Harris Decima study shows, the total economic activity associated with the RV industry in Canada reached $14.5 billion.
This activity was looked at in four separate “domains,” summarized as:
RV retail sales and service accounted for $1.5 billion in net economic activity. Sales and service supported nearly 19,300 jobs, paying $775 million in wages and salaries. There are more than 400 RV dealers in Canada.
RV manufacturing had a total value of $265 million in 2011, more than half of that ($156 million) being purchased by Canadians. This manufacturing of RVs generated $512 million in gross output and supported nearly 2,400 jobs.
Non‐travel related RV expenditures totaled $1.4 billion and generated $1.3 billion in net economic activity, supporting 12,200 jobs.
Tourism related RV expenditures amounted to an estimated $7 billion spent on goods and services by RV travelers as they moved across Canada. Approximately 64,900 jobs are supported by the activity of RV tourism. The total economic activity associated with RV tourism, the report says, was $9.8 billion.
“This is a significant finding, demonstrating that not only is RVing in Canada an exceptional way to travel, offering accessibility, convenience and ease of use, but it also has a considerable impact on the Canadian economy,” said Ian Moore, RVDA of Canada Chairman of the Board.
The RV industry is fast growing, Moore added, and a “favourable lifestyle” that’s suitable for “people of all ages, all family types, and all budgets.”
