Motorhomes Overtake Baches as the Kiwi Holiday Dream

5 February, 2015

Motorhomes Overtake Baches as the Kiwi Holiday Dream

An independent survey of over 6,000 New Zealanders conducted by the RV Super Centre (New Zealand’s largest seller of New Zealand manufactured motorhomes), has revealed surprising statistics to Kiwis’ holiday habits including that respondents prefer the campervan/motorhome dream above the bach/holiday home pursuit.

“Over the summer holidays, many Kiwis dream of owning a slice of the paradise they’re visiting,” says the RV Super Centre’s Grant Brady. “But, the increasing costs and commitment of the holiday home dream are putting people off with more Kiwis now turning towards a campervan or motorhome option.”

The survey showed that for people aged 45+, owning a motorhome was the preferred option above a nice car, a boat or a bach with 54% wanting a campervan or motorhome above these other options. A fifth of these respondents who expressed a preference to own a motorhome aged 45+ credited the ability to travel and sightsee whenever they wanted to, as the biggest motivator to purchase.

The number one holiday destination choice was the Bay of Islands, closely followed by Queenstown. When asked what type of holiday they prefer, the survey revealed that Kiwi women would choose a beach holiday (57%), while Kiwi men would choose a tramping holiday (55%).

Unsurprisingly, the under 25s preferred adventure holidays with the 25-44 year-olds opting for a camping holiday. A whopping 80% (or more than 3/4) of those aged between 45-65 would choose a campervan or motorhome holiday above any other type of holiday.

“The early baby boomers are certainly taking to the motorhome dream like no other generation,” says Brady. “With families often spread all over the country and less room for extended family to stay, the motorhome provides a flexible, homely and affordable option for these travelers.”

Regionally, Aucklanders are the most likely to own a campervan or motorhome, followed by the Bay of Plenty and Canterbury regions. Of those who didn’t own one, a third of Aucklanders surveyed said they would like to own one.

And it’s not gender-biased, both Kiwi men and women share the dream to own a motorhome or campervan with men (47%) and women (53%) with those in the main cities of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch being the most keen on ownership.

Respondents listed a motorhome/campervan as being the best way to see the country as the most appealing thing about owning one, closely followed by the freedom of being able to travel and sightsee whenever they wanted. Women noted the reduced costs of travel as their primary reason for owning a motorhome (57%).

And, where would the average Kiwi like to take their motorhome on a road trip? Wellingtonians would choose Auckland (57%), Aucklanders would visit Hawkes Bay followed by Southland and Bay of Plenty respondents want to visit Canterbury on their road trip. Cantabrians, though, would like to visit Nelson and Marlborough and the most popular destination for the Waikato is far from home in Dunedin or Invercargill.

Perhaps surprisingly, women do most of the driving on a road trip for respondents from Auckland, Waikato and Wellington with men from the Bay of Plenty, Canterbury and Otago more likely to be in the driver’s seat.

46% of respondents aged 45-64 believe they could live in a campervan or motorhome for 12 months or longer.

Wellingtonians and Aucklanders are the biggest planners, with the majority planning their entire trip before they set off. While the majority of respondents from Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Northland, Otago, Waikato and Hawkes Bay are more spontaneous and don't plan an itinerary.

And if they do get lost, 56% of women were happy to stop and ask for directions as opposed to 44% of men. People aged between 45-64 years are the most likely age group to stop (44%) with 34% (or one third) of Aucklanders saying they wouldn't stop to ask for directions, followed by Cantabrians and Wellingtonians.

“New Zealanders lead the way in the idea of owning their own motorhome or campervan as a portable holiday home option,” says Grant Brady from RV Super Centre, which sells popular New Zealand brands such as KEA, Motek and United. “And the best thing is that they don’t have to worry about their holiday home when they’re not there, or keep up maintenance and it can double as a spare room should guests come to stay back at home. It’s a great option for Kiwis in the run up to the summer holidays.”

About the RV Super Centre:
The RV Super Centre offers the largest range of new and used New Zealand built campervans and motorhomes for sale, from trusted brands such as KEA, Motek and United. Dealerships are located in Auckland and Christchurch.

About thl:
thl is one of Australasia’s premier tourism companies. thl owns and operates self-drive experiences in New Zealand, Australia and USA, RV Manufacturing in New Zealand and Australia and Guided Experiences in New Zealand.

www.thlonline.com

ENDS

© Scoop Media