A professor in UNBC’s Resource Recreation and Tourism program is concerned that efforts to outlaw free RV parking will make Prince George a less-attractive destination to tourists.

Anne Hardy has conducted research into the local RV market, focusing on the practice of “boondocking,” whereby RVers stay overnight for free on roadsides or in commercial parking lots. Last September, she conducted interviews with 13 boondockers in Prince George, with the intention of finding out why boondocking persists. It is estimated that up to 20% of all RVers boondock regularly.

“There were two types of boondockers: those who did so most or all of the time and those who only boondock occasionally,” says Dr. Hardy. “Among frequent boondockers, money was the big issue along with the fact that they required few or no facilities. The occasional boondocker did so out of convenience and they indicated to me that they would normally stay in an RV park or provincial park campground if they were going to be in the community longer.”

While the boondockers stay overnight for free, Dr. Hardy identified in her research that they do spend money in the community on supplies and food. “Walmart is a powerful player in the RV market and RVers definitely know where the Walmart stores are located. Some of the boondockers I talked to only stayed in Walmart parking lots, for ease of replenishing supplies. Even more important, RVers appear to be very well-connected, both on the internet and through word-of-mouth. I’m concerned that banning boondocking will be detrimental to Prince George’s image among all RVers, including those who do pay overnight fees in RV parks.”

Dr. Hardy is a specialist in rubber-tire tourism. In addition to following the boondocking debate in Prince George, she is watching how the sinking of the Queen of the North will affect tourism traffic to BC’s North Coast and the Queen Charlotte Islands.

The Resource Recreation and Tourism program is unique in BC and offers a BA in Resource-based Tourism and a BSc in Resource Recreation.

Contact:
Anne Hardy, Resource Recreation and Tourism professor, UNBC - 250.960.5114