Industry Profile
In 2022, Caravan & Residential Parks Victoria commissioned BDO Australia to undertake the largest ever study into the economic and social contribution of Victorian caravan parks, both tourist and residential.
The Economic and Social Contribution of Caravan Parks Report examined direct and flow-on effects of caravan park operations and associated tourism expenditure, including both tangible activity (eg: number of jobs) and intangible activity (eg: economic value of personal wellbeing).
It found Victoria’s tourist and residential parks:
- added almost $2.4 billion to Victoria’s Gross State Product (GSP) in 2021-22
- supported more than 17,000 jobs
- contributed more than $60 million worth of health and productivity-related cost savings
- generated $1.1 billion in flow-on economic activity for other businesses.
Other key findings:
- Around 29 jobs are supported for every $1 million of revenue generated by tourist and mixed use parks in Victoria
- Residential Land Lease Communities contributed close to $0.55 billion and support another seven jobs per $1 million output, or approx. 3000 jobs.
Influencing wellbeing and connection
The report found both park tourists and residents have higher self-reported personal wellbeing than the average Victorian and regional Victorian. The main motivating factors behind people taking tourist park holidays were:
- Relaxing and unwinding (74%)
- Spending time in the outdoors (69%)
- Spending time or connecting with family and friends (57%)
Residents preferred to live in their park due to the sense of belonging to a community, friendship, safety and security, location and to be closer to nature.
