'Three vans sold in five minutes': Caravan industry says COVID-19 has led to 'hectic' year with no sign of slowing down

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Closed state and international borders provide a boon for the caravan and camping industry, with customers looking for a new way to holiday.

Grant Wiltshire has been selling caravans for 30 years and says he has never experienced anything like the past 12 months.Dealers are struggling to get enough stock to keep up with demandWhen the pandemic and lockdowns hit a year ago, the JobKeeper program allowed his business in Mandurah to keep staff on during an uncertain period.He said much of the interest came from people who formerly went on cruise holidays as well as young families and people who have traditionally holidayed overseas.

"I've done more miles than Burke and Wills trying to buy second-hand stock — Kalgoorlie, Esperance, Geraldton." Julian Barry, chief executive of Caravan Industry Association Western Australia , which runs the caravan and camping show, said that after having to cancel last year's event they were excited to be open this year."With closed borders, what it has done is forced people to look into their own backyard."Younger generation take up van life

"It's a big investment and you've got to buy a fairly heavy car to be able to tow it as well," he said. "What we would like to see is people exploring regions on the state borders, so the east Kimberley and the Kalgoorlie and Goldfields region," Mr Barry said. "I think everyone thinks that [it will be straightforward] until they hook up their new van, pull out of the caravan yard, head for home and then think: 'How are we going to get this caravan reversed into the driveway?'"Mr Perks's business involved teaching caravanners how to "reverse a caravan in a particular way that prevents divorce"."There is a technique, we have a particular way we teach people that is non-verbal and you use hand signals only.

 

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Not enough places to holiday in .....

Fantastic. ScottMorrisonMP can leave politics and market something useful

I guess if you are a builder and employee a couple of apprentices, the 1400 a week from the government will pay off the van in no time

Once again it’s those who have the disposable income who are squeezing out those without any choice. Between Airbnb, the Coronavirus exodus and crazy property prices so many are struggling to put a roof over their head. Now even a used caravan may not be an option

Second hand market booming too

Couple of yrs time when this COVID SHIT is gone, There's gunna be a lot of Quality vans for sale going cheep cheep cheep..

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