Millennials most likely to rent an RV in 2021

Recreational vehicle rental marketplace RVshare – which raised $100 million in October – says a survey of consumers in the United States shows demand for RV rentals will remain strong in 2021, with the greatest interest coming from millennials.

In a survey of 1,000 travelers conducted by STR on behalf of RVshare, 73% of millennial respondents indicated they are likely to rent an RV next year, followed by Generation X at 59% and Baby Boomers at 47%.

The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred an interest in RVs, which combine a private accommodation with a vehicle suited for road trips. RVshare says since May almost 80% of its bookings have been made by new users. 

And STR’s survey supports that data, with 57% of respondents - and 68% of millennials - saying COVID-19 has made travel by RV more appealing than before the pandemic.

“The global travel industry has been hit hard by this pandemic, but the demand for domestic travel options remains strong, and interest in RV travel has never been greater,” says Jon Gray, RVshare’s CEO.

“These findings help us understand how consumer travel preferences are evolving. The results prove RV travel is here to stay, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of this new age of travel and discovery.

Markets showing the most growth in bookings on RVshare’s platform include New York and Illinois – up 186% and 174%, respectively, year-over-year. And bookings have more than doubled in cities including Houston, Phoenix and San Bernardino, California.

But respondents indicate a hesitation to book far in advance – with 63% saying they will not be planning vacations for next year due to uncertainty about the status of travel guidelines.