Touring in a recreational vehicle in a foreign country is becoming increasingly popular among Chinese tourists. (Photo provided to China Daily)
There are currently about 1,000 large RV campsites in the country and the number is expected to double by 2020, Fang says.
The rising popularity of RVs has drawn the attention of major players involved in the industry. All in Caravanning (AIC), an annual RV expo which was last staged in Beijing in June, attracted nearly 700 exhibitors affiliated with the RV industry. Among the expo attendees were 300 brands including Adria, Pilote and Dethleffs from Europe, as well as major domestic producers such as RV International and Brilliance Auto.
According to organizers, the event has grown from a 5,000-square-meter event to a 35,000 sq m extravaganza over the past seven years.
"AIC's development is a testament to how much and how quickly the RV industry has grown," says Tian Lei, an official with the expo.
"We've seen RV travel become quite accessible to the general public, rather than a high-end vacation form for the minority," he adds.
Major travel agencies have also started to offer holiday packages revolving around the RV. For example, the China International Travel Service (CITS) has developed nearly 100 RV travel products related to parent-child experiences, photography and health. The agency also unveiled new travel products covering southwestern regions such as Sichuan, Yunnan and Tibet, and they include allowing private car owners to drive RVs in these areas.
"We'll also provide customers drivers (if necessary) and other services, such as rescue and emergency aid. The idea is to encourage more Chinese travelers to experience and be familiar with this travel style," says Tian Qun, general manager of the CITS.
Two camping sites in Kunming and Xishuangbanna, both in Yunnan province, are operated by CITS' subsidiary Yunnan Outdoor RV Co. The sites drew more than 2,000 travelers last year, a 20 percent year-on-year growth.
Zhang Chengshun, marketing director of Yunnan Outdoor RV Co, said that the company has already received several group bookings from Beijing during the summer. Each group comprises between 20 and 30 travelers, most of whom are parents and children.
The two camping sites in Yunnan offer bonfire parties, the chance to participate in local ethnic Dai activities, fruit picking and outdoor adventures.
"Many of our customers stop over at our camps while on their way to Tibet or Southeast Asian destinations," Zhang says.
