Danish backpackers Emma Brix and Astrid Helmer Moerck, in their camper van in Townsville, are holidaying on a budget. Picture: Zak Simmonds Source: News Limited
INTERNATIONAL tourists are changing the face of Australian holiday parks as they look for alternatives to expensive hotels in the wake of the high Aussie dollar and more authentic experiences.
Travel experts say many overseas visitors still want to come to Australia, but they want to do it more economically.
"They look at Australian prices and say 'oh my God' based on the pound or the euro,'' Caravanning Queensland CEO Ron Chapman said.
"Then they look on the internet and see they can stay in a three-bedroom cabin in a caravan park that might accommodate six or more people for a couple of hundred dollars.''
Mr Chapman said many holiday parks were in great positions by the beach, near national parks and even in cities and had great facilities such as gyms and children's playgrounds.
"Australian holiday parks are world-class,'' he said.
"It gives overseas visitors a whole lot of options - they can stay in basic cabins from $50 a night up to as high as you want.''
Mr Chapman said the tourists who chose to stay in holiday parks were usually from countries where the genre is popular, such as the UK, Europe, New Zealand and North America.
"There are very few caravan parks in Asia but it's a developing market, China especially,'' Mr Chapman said.
Caravan, Camping and Touring Industry NSW CEO Lyndal Gray said there were lots of opportunities in the international market and she was currently developing self-drive motor-home packages with Chinese travel companies.
"We have seen some interest from very innovative wholesalers in the China market,'' she said.
"We also think there's some opportunity in the cabin type accommodation... lying back in your cabin with kangaroos in the park is a really quintessentially Australian experience.''
BIG4 Holiday Parks general manager of marketing Rachel Pugh said the company had noticed an increase in international visitors who wanted to experience a "true-blue outdoor Aussie holiday''.
"The flexibility of our accommodation options means visitors can plan a trip to suit their holiday style and budget,'' she said.
Kate Meldrum, from campervan hire company Britz Maui, said she was pushing the message in the UK with the help of Tourism Australia.
"Australia is still affordable but the caravan option may be a more affordable option than other self-drive holidays by car and hotels,'' she said.
"Demand for hotels in certain parts of Australia is very high because of industry demands such as mining in Western Australia.''
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