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	Article Topic: Economical RV Travel RV TRAVEL REPRESENTS ECONOMICAL WAY TO TRAVEL Despite persistent signs of a weakening economy, the recreation vehicle industry continued to experience increased sales and mounting popularity during 2002. A spike in manufacturer shipments and retail sales started to surface in the wake of Sept. 11, as Americans began to look for alternatives to airlines for vacation and travel transportation. But the spike evolved into a sustained boom, as the industry eclipsed 2001 totals. It’s a surprising trend as discretionary purchases like RVs are normally susceptible to the effects of an economic downturn. So, what has changed? Why are people continuing to hit the road in RVs in the face of unstable economic conditions? Several factors seem to be fueling the nation’s fascination with RVs, including a broader and more diverse buying audience that includes baby boomers. "RVs essentially eliminate the hassles associated with travel," stated Sid Johnson, Director of Marketing for Jayco, Inc., a major RV manufacturer. "It’s provides the freedom to come and go when you please and the ability to discover remote and beautiful areas of the country." Another key element is economy. For consumers preparing for a tightly budgeted family vacation, traveling by recreation vehicle offers an attractive vacation package. Several studies over the years have supported the money-saving benefits of RV travel, which greatly reduces overnight expenditures and lets vacationers avoid the mounting costs of dining in restaurants. The majority of today’s recreation vehicles, including fold-down campers, come equipped with cooking quarters and refrigeration units so travelers can serve up full-course meals. "The ability to bring indoor cooking to the outdoors has always been part of the RV experience," stated Johnson. "And as the RV industry has evolved, so have the kitchen amenities. Our units offer such conveniences as portable grills all the way up to our luxury vehicles with kitchen areas that rival residential homes." An RVIA-sponsored study highlighted the built-in benefits of RV travel. Some of the results included: &Mac183; Traveling with a fold-down campers averages 50 to 70 percent less than non-RV trips &Mac183; Vacations with a conventional travel trailers cost 24 to 57 percent less than traditional trips &Mac183; Motoring in a Class C motorhome was 9 to 49 percent less expensive than non-RV trips The study also compared RVing to other forms of travel. Results, depending on the type of RV, showed significant savings over cruises, all inclusive getaway packages or condominium rentals. The savings, however, do not translate into a reduction in comfort. RVs are filled with high-tech, low-stress features designed for today’s discerning consumer. "The buying audience has dictated that RVs stay in tune with the times when it comes to interior living areas," stated Bill Prinz, vice president of sales and marketing. "And we have been able to introduce upgrades at an affordable cost, satisfying the budgetary concerns of today’s consumer." END