RV Enthusiasts Want Internet Access, Not Swimming Pools

Operators of RV parks who do not offer their guests free high speed wireless Internet access (WiFi) may want to change their ways. According to a June survey by RVtravel.com (http://www.rvtravel.com), far more RVers would choose a park that offered free WiFi over one that offered only a swimming pool and no free Internet access.

Edmonds, WA (PRWEB) July 19, 2007 -- Operators of RV parks who do not offer their guests free high speed wireless Internet access (WiFi) may want to change their ways. According to a June survey by RVtravel.com (http://www.rvtravel.com), far more RVers would choose a park that offered free WiFi over one that offered only a swimming pool and no free Internet access.

Sixty-six percent would choose a park that offered free WiFi compared to 12 percent who would opt for a park with a swimming pool and no free Internet access. Twenty-two percent didn't care one way or the other. More than 1,500 RVers answered the survey.

"Most RVers today carry a computer with them when they travel with their RV," said RVtravel.com editor Chuck Woodbury, who also operates the largest online bookstore devoted exclusively to RVs and the RV lifestyle, RVbookstore.com (http://www.rvbookstore.com). "Many of these RVers rely on the Internet to keep in touch with their friends and relatives. Even children and teenagers prefer to have a computer onboard to chat with friends or check their MySpace pages.

"In our conversations with RVers we have learned that many actively seek out parks with Internet access and avoid those without it. Free high speed wireless access, where the RVers can get online right from a campsite, is especially appealing. I think that any park that does not offer this service these days is losing significant business."

Visits to America's National Parks have dropped recently, from 287.1 million in 1999 to 273.5 million in 2005, and lack of Internet access may be partly to blame, said Woodbury. "There are many reasons, but I think one is that many campers these days want to bring along their electronic gadgets and that includes their computers," he said. "In most parks, there is no available Internet access at all. I don't like to admit it, but I believe that some campers simply avoid places where they cannot get online."

Woodbury is recognized as a leading authority on the RV lifestyle. He is the host of the Better Business Bureau DVD, "Buying a Recreational Vehicle," and a former spokesperson for the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association.

When he is not traveling by RV he lives and works in Edmonds, Wash., where he operates from a 4,000-square-foot office and warehouse along the shores of Puget Sound.

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