Alberta RV Sales Surge as Travel Concerns Keep Canadians Home

Sales of recreational vehicles (RVs) are experiencing a significant boost in Alberta, with a notable influence from rising tensions south of the border. The recent Calgary RV Adventure Sale and Show attracted large crowds, and vendors reported strong sales figures. Brandon Urban, operations manager at Western R.V. Country, noted that January 24, 2025, marked a record sales day, with over 30 units sold across their locations.

Urban indicated that many Canadians are opting to enjoy their summers locally rather than traveling abroad. “Canadians want to stay home and go camping,” he said, underscoring a shift in consumer behavior. A survey conducted by Abacus Data revealed that **23 percent** of Canadians have avoided travel to the United States due to concerns regarding former President **Donald Trump** and his administration’s policies. The survey included **1,850** Canadian adults and has a margin of error of plus or minus **2.3 percentage points**.

Alberta residents appear particularly hesitant about U.S. travel, with **30 percent** of respondents citing American political climate as a factor in their decision-making. Urban has frequently heard similar sentiments from customers, who express a reluctance to travel south. “They’re continuing to stay close to home because of the global forces in the world right now,” he commented.

Megan Gusdal, a resident of Okotoks, emphasized her family’s decision to forgo American travel, noting the current atmosphere is not conducive to long trips. “We have a big family, so it’s not easy to travel that far, and the atmosphere doesn’t seem the greatest for us right now,” Gusdal stated.

According to **Statistics Canada**, Canadian vehicle crossings into the U.S. saw a significant decline, with **7.6 million** fewer Canadians making the trip last year. The number of Canadian vehicles traveling to and returning from the U.S. dropped by **30.9 percent** compared to the previous year.

Cost considerations are also influencing the trend towards staycations. Urban highlighted that the expenses associated with flying, especially for families, can be daunting. “Just getting on a plane with kids these days seems like a big thing, and the cost is so much more for flying,” he noted. RVs, with prices ranging from approximately **$25,000** to over **$100,000**, offer a more economical vacation option that can be utilized multiple times.

The shift in buyer demographics is evident, with more families purchasing RVs rather than older couples. Urban remarked on the increase in bunk model trailers sold, stating, “This would be the highest volume of bunk model trailers we’ve sold in quite a few years now.” He expressed satisfaction at seeing families return to the RV market.

David Forma, from Guarantee R.V. in Springbank, echoed these observations, noting that political tensions with the U.S. have spurred interest in local products. “When they are looking at buying and investing in new products, Canadian-made definitely pushes it over the top,” Forma remarked, referring to some RVs manufactured in **Winkler, MB**.

The Calgary RV Show concludes on January 25, 2025, at 5 p.m., with vendors anticipating continued strong interest from local buyers. This surge in RV sales highlights a significant shift in consumer preferences, reflecting broader concerns over travel and the desire for more localized vacation experiences.