Camping Holds Its Own Even as Other Travel Comes Roaring Back

Despite relaxations in Covid regulations for airlines and international travel, one phenomenon of the pandemic appears here to stay — campers are staying dedicated to the great outdoors. A new study from Kampgrounds of America, the world’s largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds, shows that camping and its many variations, particularly glamping and RVing, is quickly being embraced by the new leisure-seeking traveler, and is becoming a part of travel culture faster than ever.

Over the past two years, the camping industry witnessed a growth of 36 percent, with over 9.1 million first-time campers joining the scene just last year, the Kampgrounds survey showed.

While one-third of the newcomers said that Covid was their main catalyst to try camping, these numbers also come in tandem with the increased interest in leisure and wellness travel since the start of the pandemic. People are increasingly searching for quieter getaways, outdoor wellness retreats, and escapes into the wilderness. Among all survey respondents, two-thirds reported regularly participating in some type of leisure tr