Crowds down at Queensland show

Australia’s major caravan shows continue their run of bad luck, with inclement weather during this year’s Queensland Caravan, Camping & Touring Holiday Show contributing to a significant drop in overall attendance over the seven-day event.

Organisers of the third biggest caravan and camping show in Australia, now in its 45th year, were cursed with heavy rain over the June long week-end, particularly on the Queen's Birthday holiday on Monday when just 7775 walked through the gates.

This was around half that recorded on both the Saturday and Sunday, which averaged around 13,000 visitors each.

Despite overall attendance of 57,178 being significantly down on previous years, show organiser Caravanning Queensland said it was “reasonably happy with the show”. By comparison, 78,236 people attended the Queensland show in 2009.

“We’ve got a challenging economic environment up here in Queensland, as we do everywhere, and with an election looming we didn’t know what to expect, but we were pleasantly surprised,” said Caravanning Queensland operations manager Jason Plant.

Another challenge for organisers was the ongoing redevelopment of Brisbane’s RNA Showgrounds, which has been rezoned to incorporate commercial, retail and residential precincts.

However, Plant said the availability this year of the new, Royal International Convention Centre building, which adds 10,000 square metres over two indoor levels, meant the number of exhibitors remained steady at around 270.

“I think we actually had more floorspace this year than in the previous year because of the new building... (However) in the future we are going to be challenged with the reduction in undercover showspace at the RNA Showgrounds,” he said.

Caravanning Queensland estimated more than $50 million worth of RVs and other products and services were sold during the show, and there was certainly evidence that some dealers and manufacturers achieved decent sales.

Swift Australia had numerous enquiries about its new range of caravans and motorhomes, while another European brand Adria reported keen interest in its latest models, including the sale of a just-arrived 2013 Altea 432PX to local Ian Douglas. The Vietnam War veteran plans to tow the lightweight van behind his VW Transporter van.

Buoyed by its latest legal victory, announced during the show, Avida Motorhomes also reported one of its most successful Brisbane shows to date.