NEWS

RV resorts are the upscale edge of outdoor hospitality. In 2025, RV resorts are counted within the estimated 16,419 U.S. commercial campgrounds and RV parks, up from 16,058 the previous year (IBISWorld, 2025). Major operators alone account for hundreds of resort-grade destinations. This market expansion is driven by a new wave of travelers who are seeking high-end, hotel-level amenities, making strategic upgrades an essential move to capture this premium demand.

The hum of the open road is changing, and the roar of internal combustion is steadily being replaced by the quiet, powerful glide of electric vehicles. This isn’t a distant future; it’s today’s reality. Global EV sales topped 17 million in 2024, up by 25% compared to the previous year. In the U.S., electric car sales reached 1.6 million in 2024, as EVs buoyed an otherwise stagnated conventional car market. A total of 24 new models were launched that same year, increasing model availability by 15% (International Energy Agency, 2025).

The traditional idea of a camping trip – a family around a fire, enjoying the quiet outdoors, is starting to look a lot different. So, what’s at the heart of this change? Our pets. As campers increasingly select stays that put pet comfort first, adapting business strategies and upgrading to pet-centric amenities are a must to stay ahead of the curve.

Modular homes are experiencing a surge in popularity as a practical and affordable solution in today’s housing market. As traditional homeownership becomes financially out of reach for many, modular construction presents a compelling alternative. These factory-built homes offer significant advantages over traditional construction, including cost predictability, enhanced quality control, and a much faster build time. By streamlining the construction process and reducing on-site labor and material waste, modular homes like Vacavia Cottages and Cabins’ Timber Ridge model provide a way to achieve homeownership without the prohibitive price tag. This strategic approach to building is what makes the Timber Ridge a noteworthy housing solution for many hopeful homeowners.

Waterfront park model homes are emerging as a compelling lifestyle and business investment, combining the allure of seasonal retreats with the practicality of long-term accommodations. Once considered niche dwellings, park model RVs have now become a dynamic segment of the recreational housing industry, valued at USD 1.88 billion in 2024 and projected to grow to USD 3.44 billion by 2033, with a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.94% from 2025 to 2033 (Business Research Insights, 2025). These compact, semi-mobile homes – often equipped with full kitchens, bathrooms, and comfortable sleeping quarters, are designed for long-term or seasonal placement in RV parks and resort communities.

Tiny homes have swept through the lodging industry, offering a budget-friendly and environmentally mindful alternative to traditional accommodations. As Jamie Mackay, founder and CEO of tiny‑home manufacturing company, notes, tiny homes represent a streamlined, eco-conscious lifestyle that’s increasingly captivating in our fast‑paced world (Vie Magazine, n.d.).

The U.S. outdoor recreation sector has evolved far beyond weekend camping and fishing trips. Today, it intersects with the booming event industry, creating massive opportunities for business owners, landowners, and entrepreneurs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), in 2023, outdoor recreation generated an astounding $1.2 trillion in economic output, contributing $639.5 billion in current-dollar value added, which represents 2.3% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This isn’t just a robust sector; it outpaced the overall U.S. economy’s growth in 2023, with outdoor recreation real GDP growing 3.6% compared to 2.9% for the U.S. economy, and jobs growing 3.3% compared to 1.8% (BEA, 2025). The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) further emphasizes that this sector supports 5 million jobs, underscoring its profound impact on employment across the nation (Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, 2024).

The global landscape of travel and work underwent a profound transformation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As remote work became widely accepted and international travel resumed, a new class of global travelers emerged: digital nomads. Freed from the constraints of traditional office work, these individuals seamlessly combine exploration with remote work, leveraging technology to stay connected from virtually anywhere. The global nomad population soared to over 40 million – 18.1 million from the U.S. alone, marking a 131% increase since 2019 (GlobalEdge – MSU, 2025).

In a post-pandemic world where health is top-of-mind, Americans are not just looking for vacations – they’re looking for healing journeys. Wellness tourism is no longer a luxury niche. It is a dominant force reshaping U.S. travel, valued at a massive $1.8 trillion, the largest wellness economy in the world, according to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI, 2023).

As the summer season kicks into high gear, U.S. tourism, agritourism, and outdoor hospitality businesses are facing both an opportunity and a challenge: sourcing reliable, legal, and skilled seasonal labor. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released a Final Rule affecting the H-2A and H-2B temporary worker programs, which took effect last January 17, 2025 – updates that directly impact how entrepreneurs in the tourism and agritourism space can recruit temporary foreign workers (Federal Register, 2024).