A membership campground is a private campground and/or RV park open only to members. Members typically pay a one-time membership fee and annual dues (membership fees) for the right to use the campground. A membership campground can operate independently, selling memberships to customers who have access only to that individual property, or they can operate as part of a system, in which case members can buy access to multiple campgrounds. Membership campgrounds tend to be geared toward the owners of recreational vehicles, but often offer rental accommodations and spaces for tentcamping.
In 2008, Thousand Trails, a company which owns membership campgrounds in the United States and Canada, claimed to operate "the world's largest network of private membership camping resorts."[1] It was merged with its principal competitor, NACO (National American Corporation), another membership campground company, in 1991. The total combined membership of Thousand Trails and NACO was 128,000 in 1996.[2] American companies such as Coast to Coast Resorts (formerly Camp Coast to Coast) and Resort Parks International offer memberships to networks of private campgrounds owned by multiple companies.
Media Coverage and CriticismEdit
Both the Los Angeles Times and the New York Times published articles on the growth of membership campground companies in 1980s. In each case, the coverage noted criticism of the industry and compared membership campgrounds to timeshares.
In an article entitled "Newest RV Phenomenon has Campgrounds Going RSVP" in the November 28, 1980, edition of the Los Angeles Times, staff writer Ted Vollmer characterized "membership-only resort parks catering to recreational vehicle owners" as "either about the smartest investment or the most ridiculous scheme ever served up to the camping public— depending on who's doing the talking." The same report noted that, "Unlike time-sharing schemes involving resort-area condominiums, the campground site is never owned by the camper who buys into a membership park. This fact alone has prompted some private campground owners and campers to question the wisdom of signing up at fees as high as $7,000."[3]
On June 22, 1986, the New York Times ran an article entitled "Campgrounds that Double as Clubs," explaining that "membership campgrounds tout themselves as destination resorts, where families can get away for a weekend or longer in an atmosphere that is a mixture of natural retreat and private country club." The same article reported that Thousand Trails, Inc., had revenues of $128 million the previous year. It also noted that "Like time-share resorts, many of the membership campgrounds do mass mailings to invite people to tour their facilities. The trade press has sharply criticized them for badgering prospective customers with high-pressure sales techniques, or offering nonexistent prizes in promotions."[4]
External linksEdit
Membership Campground Companies
Travel Resorts Of America
Thousand Trails
Coast to Coast Resorts
Resort Parks International
ReferencesEdit
^. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2011-01-31.
^"History of Thousand Trails, Inc. – FundingUniverse".
membership, campground, membership, campground, private, campground, park, open, only, members, members, typically, time, membership, annual, dues, membership, fees, right, campground, membership, campground, operate, independently, selling, memberships, custo. A membership campground is a private campground and or RV park open only to members Members typically pay a one time membership fee and annual dues membership fees for the right to use the campground A membership campground can operate independently selling memberships to customers who have access only to that individual property or they can operate as part of a system in which case members can buy access to multiple campgrounds Membership campgrounds tend to be geared toward the owners of recreational vehicles but often offer rental accommodations and spaces for tent camping Contents 1 Membership Campgrounds in North America 2 Media Coverage and Criticism 3 External links 4 ReferencesMembership Campgrounds in North America EditIn 2008 Thousand Trails a company which owns membership campgrounds in the United States and Canada claimed to operate the world s largest network of private membership camping resorts 1 It was merged with its principal competitor NACO National American Corporation another membership campground company in 1991 The total combined membership of Thousand Trails and NACO was 128 000 in 1996 2 American companies such as Coast to Coast Resorts formerly Camp Coast to Coast and Resort Parks International offer memberships to networks of private campgrounds owned by multiple companies Media Coverage and Criticism EditBoth the Los Angeles Times and the New York Times published articles on the growth of membership campground companies in 1980s In each case the coverage noted criticism of the industry and compared membership campgrounds to timeshares In an article entitled Newest RV Phenomenon has Campgrounds Going RSVP in the November 28 1980 edition of the Los Angeles Times staff writer Ted Vollmer characterized membership only resort parks catering to recreational vehicle owners as either about the smartest investment or the most ridiculous scheme ever served up to the camping public depending on who s doing the talking The same report noted that Unlike time sharing schemes involving resort area condominiums the campground site is never owned by the camper who buys into a membership park This fact alone has prompted some private campground owners and campers to question the wisdom of signing up at fees as high as 7 000 3 On June 22 1986 the New York Times ran an article entitled Campgrounds that Double as Clubs explaining that membership campgrounds tout themselves as destination resorts where families can get away for a weekend or longer in an atmosphere that is a mixture of natural retreat and private country club The same article reported that Thousand Trails Inc had revenues of 128 million the previous year It also noted that Like time share resorts many of the membership campgrounds do mass mailings to invite people to tour their facilities The trade press has sharply criticized them for badgering prospective customers with high pressure sales techniques or offering nonexistent prizes in promotions 4 External links EditMembership Campground Companies Travel Resorts Of America Thousand Trails Coast to Coast Resorts Resort Parks InternationalReferences Edit Thousand Trails News Archived from the original on 2011 07 17 Retrieved 2011 01 31 History of Thousand Trails Inc FundingUniverse Los Angeles Times Nov 28 1980 page SD A1 New York Times June 22 1986 page F17 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Membership campground amp oldid 1105888411, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
