The wheel turns for campervan enthusiasts

Increasing numbers of Chinese are traveling wherever the road leads

With growing demand for campervans in China and consumers' shifting travel preferences, experts expect a surge in campervan-related business across the country.

"More people are choosing to explore the countryside and hit the roads with campervans, a home on wheels," says Li Xiang, a professor of tourism at Beijing Union University. "The idea of packing bags and heading out for wherever the road leads is the latest trend among many outdoor enthusiasts."

Campsites for campervan enthusiasts have sprung up on the outskirts of Beijing in recent years, Li says.

The Beijing Tourism Development Committee says suburbs are competing to become Beijing's leading campervan-friendly places.

Xu Jielin, of Beijing, says he has always wanted to have a family holiday in a campervan, but the cost and maintenance have held him back.

"Compared with buying a campervan or a caravan, it's easier to rent a campervan at a suburban campsite in Beijing."

Xu has registered for the International Federation of Camping's 80th caravan rally, to be held in Beijing from May 30. The club was founded in 1932, but this will be its first rally in China.

"I'd love to gain some experience on some short trips before hitting the road for longer journeys," Xu says.

The rally will give a big boost to the country's campervan industry, Li says.

"The rally being held in China will bring this kind of travel closer to the public," she says. "Many Western campervan makers are already targeting the Chinese market."

A shortage of campervan sites in China has held back development of this brand of recreation, Li says.

"Compared with Europe, which has tens of thousands of campervan sites, China is still in its infancy. Cities nationwide have been coming up with more campsites in recent years, but few are close to each other, which has made it difficult for enthusiasts to refill water, recharge electricity and hygienically deal with waste and sanitation."

The lack of campsites has made it difficult for the campervans to go wherever the road takes them, which explains why a growing number of campervans can be found at the campsites, while few are seen on the road, Li says.

The government needs to come up with a series of campsites in city clusters, she says. For example, it could set up several campsites in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region so residents of all three areas can hit the road in their campervans during holidays without worrying about being stranded without electricity or water, or having nowhere to dispose of waste.

Petrol stations along the highways could add facilities to serve the need, she says.

As the public becomes familiar with this mode of travel, more people will be drawn to it, she says.

"Once you try traveling in a campervan, you get hooked. It's nothing like what you get with a car."

Weng Baiji, head of the Taiwan Recreational Vehicle Association, says the potential for the Chinese campervan market is immense.

"No one wants to miss out on a slice of the action."

Weng started a campervan business in Taiwan a year ago and has now shifted attention to the mainland.

Despite the growing number of campsites across the country in the past few years, many fall short when it comes to services and activities, he says.

"For example, many campsites are poorly equipped with showers or medical services. Our campsites provide activities such as international student exchanges, pet walks and exhibitions, and all the various activities that enhance the camping experience. These are barely seen on the mainland."

In Japan, campervan sites are usually combined with nearby amenities such as mineral springs, fishing sites, museums and fairs, he says.

Weng suggests Beijing come up with several campervan sites with different themes on the outskirts of the city.

"The campsites don't have to be large, but each should feature a different theme so residents can drive to whichever they like best over the weekend."

Li, the tourism professor, says most campervan enthusiasts, or potential ones, are in their 40s or 50s and are adventurous enough to participate while having enough money to support their pastime.

"Many of these people look at their campervan as a way of bringing the family together."

Contact the writer at zhengxin@chinadaily.com.cn

zhengxin@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 04/18/2014 page26)