After a year of uncertainty, 2021 marked a turning point for the RV and Workamping world. While many industries struggled to regain footing after the pandemic, the RV community hit the road stronger than ever. Campgrounds were packed, RV sales broke records, and more people discovered Workamping as a way to combine freedom, travel, and purposeful work.
Workamping in 2021 wasn’t just back to normal – it was booming.
RVs: The New Hot Trend
According to RVNews.com, the RV Industry Association (RVIA) predicted a 20% increase in RV shipments for 2021, based on its Winter 2020 RV RoadSigns Report. That forecast proved accurate.
“The RV industry is on track to break half a million RV shipments in 2021 for only the second time in our history,” said RVIA President Craig Kirby.
Driven by the pandemic’s push for socially distanced travel, Americans discovered that RVing offered safety, flexibility, and freedom. RV manufacturers quickly ramped production back up after brief shutdowns in 2020 to meet skyrocketing demand.
More RVers Means More Workampers
With more RVers on the road, the demand for Workampers – RVers who exchange work for a campsite or wages – also surged.
Some professionals began working their remote “career jobs” from the road, while others saw the upheaval of 2020 as a chance to change direction entirely.
One new Workamper, Lynn Hupp, shared her story:
“Earlier this year, COVID happened and I had several life changes with my family and my corporate job, so I found myself in this place of ‘what do I do next?’ So I joined Workamper News and discovered new possibilities for my future.”
Lynn soon became a camp host near Mount Rushmore – proof that even in times of uncertainty, the Workamping lifestyle offers a fresh start.
While Lynn is new to the Workamping community, those who are already living the lifestyle are mostly not letting the pandemic alter their work and travel plans.
What Workampers Said About 2021
A survey of Workamper News members reflected that most RVers kept their travel plans alive despite the pandemic:
- 73% said COVID-19 did not affect their Workamping plans.
- 13% had their 2020 plans revised but resumed soon after.
- 9% paused in 2020 and planned to return in 2021.
- Fewer than 5% stopped Workamping altogether.
Longtime Workamper and author Rene Agredano wrote on LiveWorkDream.com:
“When the pandemic hit in March, I wondered how the Workamping and RVing lifestyle would play out. Would resorts shut down and axe the seasonal workers? Would the Workamping job market get flooded? … I’m happy to admit I was wrong.”
She noted that RVing had gone mainstream:
“It’s the only segment of the travel industry that’s making money! Desperate for an escape, people discovered that RVs are the safest way to do it.”
RV dealers couldn’t keep rigs on lots, and campground memberships like Thousand Trails hit record highs. Whether full-time or part-time, it seemed everyone wanted to experience life on the open road.
Campground and Employer Outlook
While Workampers take jobs across many industries, campgrounds and RV parks remain top employers. In 2020 and 2021, many park owners saw record crowds.
As Ben Quiggle, Editor of Woodall’s Campground Management, wrote:
“Anyone who bought a new RV in 2020 will want to use it in the future. For park owners, the onus is on them to ensure their campers are having a great experience.”
That surge meant more guests, more questions, and more need for customer service-oriented staff. Employers increasingly relied on experienced Workampers to keep operations running smoothly and help new RVers feel welcome.
Recruiting for 2021 and Beyond
By early 2021, Workamper recruiting was in full swing. Campgrounds, resorts, and other employers were eager to fill positions for spring, summer, and fall seasons.
For businesses, the takeaway was clear: finding and retaining quality Workampers was more important than ever. For RVers, 2021 marked the beginning of a long-term boom in opportunities to live, work, and travel across America.
Cheers to the Workamping community – still full speed ahead!
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