Spring and summer have produced a bumper crop for sales of recreational vehicles during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Craig Little, owner of Arbutus RV & Marine Sales, says sales have increased 25 to 40 per cent compared to last year.

B次元官网网址淲e set a record in February, and March was right up there as well,B次元官网网址� says Little, who co-owns five locations on Vancouver Island with his wife, Rose. B次元官网网址淭here was a drop in April, but it picked up again in May and weB次元官网网址檙e having our best June in 32 years. ThereB次元官网网址檚 a significant increase in first-time buyers who havenB次元官网网址檛 experienced the lifestyle before.B次元官网网址�

Cross-border and international travel restrictions resulting from COVID have more people opting for holidays on the Island, he adds.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 created a perfect storm. ThereB次元官网网址檚 more of an appetite to stay close to home and the Island has proven to be a safe place to travel. We have the climate, the scenery, the beaches, lakes and amenities.B次元官网网址�

The fact RVs are self-contained and conducive to social distancing is part of the appeal, he notes.

B次元官网网址淎nother factor is that interest rates are so low, which makes it even more affordable. ThereB次元官网网址檚 a range of makes and models to fit everyoneB次元官网网址檚 budget. When you consider that gas prices are lower, itB次元官网网址檚 created a perfect storm. Despite the record sales weB次元官网网址檝e been able to gear up our inventory and offer a great selection. IB次元官网网址檓 also hearing that thereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of great full-service private campsites available on the Island.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a great option if you canB次元官网网址檛 reserve a spot at one of our great provincial sites,B次元官网网址� Little says.

Toma Lekhno, sales manager of Galaxy RV in Langford, wasnB次元官网网址檛 expecting the boom in sales to happen after COVID first hit in February.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a real pleasant surprise,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淚t started to pick up in April and has been increasing month by month into May and June. WeB次元官网网址檝e had to hire new staff, technicians and service people to accommodate the crazy volume.B次元官网网址�

Although keeping up with the demand created challenges in terms of inventory, efforts to connect with new sources have worked out well, he adds. B次元官网网址淲e have a lot of stock on order and new trailers are coming in every day to keep up with the demand.B次元官网网址�

The timing of the opening of GalaxyB次元官网网址檚 new building, set for within the next couple of weeks, couldnB次元官网网址檛 be better, Lekhno says.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檒l have a huge service department and a lot more space to accommodate our needs and our clientsB次元官网网址� needs.B次元官网网址�

rick.stiebel@goldstreamgazette.com

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