On the topic of what my clients say:
The new word I am hearing from the description fed back to me is 'Canadiana'. This term has replaced 'rustic', which has become a common term in decorating usage as a new/old motif. Rustic never did mean 'run down', which unfortunately was the popular usage/comprehension of the term.
But I digress.
Numerous itinerant Europeans were here this past weekend, in motor homes, because the million trailer hookups in Algonquin were full (one family stopped here first, then checked out Algonquin and came back to register on Friday. As in, ahead of the frenzy for the last spots).
Every one of them said the same thing. This was the Canadiana they sought and had not found other places on their trips, because of the commercialization of the industry. Even Algonquin was too much like a suburb of a city.
The organized campgrounds in Algonquin hold more people than live in the town of Madawaska, in closer quarters. So does Riverland.
Here, #1 on the menu is the environment.
Many international visitors look for Canadiana on their trips, much as I wanted to find a 'real' castle to stay in when in Scotland. So many that offered lodging had completely 'updated', americanized and indistinct. Could I tell I was in Scotland once I walked indoors?
The entire camping industry has gone through a huge infrastructure shift, as in providing more comfort/amenities. Industry surveys claimed that people wanted more services, higher amperage for bigger motor homes, free wifi, laundromats, etc. The sacrifice has been the camping environment; trees have to be removed to install infrastructure, sites are graded flat and graveled so the fridge in the trailer will work without leveling blocks. No grass to cut. Higher energy costs; both infrastructure and usage require that more units be put into a smaller space for profit...people don't want tree branches touching their rolling stock. Some rigs cost much more than my house; their occupants can be very demanding (and often ask for discount on a price that is already below the industry mean).
Is a 42 ft motor home camping? These rigs are getting taller too, requiring more tree pruning.
This industry is helping destroy the Canadiana that the international traveler is looking for. We have the same problem here as the rest of the world. We have become americanized; not sure who that is supposed to be helping.
One of the Dutch families should be checking back in any moment. They went to the Park yesterday and said they might be back, then emailed. It's great when people who are in Canada for only 3 weeks want to come back!
Ok, now I AM bragging...
The new word I am hearing from the description fed back to me is 'Canadiana'. This term has replaced 'rustic', which has become a common term in decorating usage as a new/old motif. Rustic never did mean 'run down', which unfortunately was the popular usage/comprehension of the term.
But I digress.
Numerous itinerant Europeans were here this past weekend, in motor homes, because the million trailer hookups in Algonquin were full (one family stopped here first, then checked out Algonquin and came back to register on Friday. As in, ahead of the frenzy for the last spots).
Every one of them said the same thing. This was the Canadiana they sought and had not found other places on their trips, because of the commercialization of the industry. Even Algonquin was too much like a suburb of a city.
The organized campgrounds in Algonquin hold more people than live in the town of Madawaska, in closer quarters. So does Riverland.
Here, #1 on the menu is the environment.
Many international visitors look for Canadiana on their trips, much as I wanted to find a 'real' castle to stay in when in Scotland. So many that offered lodging had completely 'updated', americanized and indistinct. Could I tell I was in Scotland once I walked indoors?
The entire camping industry has gone through a huge infrastructure shift, as in providing more comfort/amenities. Industry surveys claimed that people wanted more services, higher amperage for bigger motor homes, free wifi, laundromats, etc. The sacrifice has been the camping environment; trees have to be removed to install infrastructure, sites are graded flat and graveled so the fridge in the trailer will work without leveling blocks. No grass to cut. Higher energy costs; both infrastructure and usage require that more units be put into a smaller space for profit...people don't want tree branches touching their rolling stock. Some rigs cost much more than my house; their occupants can be very demanding (and often ask for discount on a price that is already below the industry mean).
Is a 42 ft motor home camping? These rigs are getting taller too, requiring more tree pruning.
This industry is helping destroy the Canadiana that the international traveler is looking for. We have the same problem here as the rest of the world. We have become americanized; not sure who that is supposed to be helping.
One of the Dutch families should be checking back in any moment. They went to the Park yesterday and said they might be back, then emailed. It's great when people who are in Canada for only 3 weeks want to come back!
Ok, now I AM bragging...
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