Hermosillo RV Park

RichieC wrote:

almcc wrote:
We enjoyed spending the winter on the Pacific coast south of Mazatlan for 4 winters ending in 2010. The increasing violence around Mazatlan was one of the factors that ended our Mexican snowbirding.

If it's a fact that the RV crowd is getting older. . .

2010 is four year old information.
Yes, we are all getting older, not just the RV crowd.
And there is a new crop of RV'ers coming. . .which is why one sees the RV sales figures on the upswing.
You can predict the future?

No RitchieC, I'm not going to take the bait!!

almcc wrote:
We enjoyed spending the winter on the Pacific coast south of Mazatlan for 4 winters ending in 2010. The increasing violence around Mazatlan was one of the factors that ended our Mexican snowbirding.

If it's a fact that the RV crowd is getting older. . .

2010 is four year old information.
Yes, we are all getting older, not just the RV crowd.
And there is a new crop of RV'ers coming. . .which is why one sees the RV sales figures on the upswing.
You can predict the future?

It would be a great experiment if Fonotour would build a high end RV park near one of their future developments (say in Teacapan for example) with all the amenities that one of the best US RV parks has. They could increase the revenue by offering the resort amenities for additional $$. They could bring in a premium rate and see what happens. Not sure how much $$ the resorts make on all-inclusives after the airfare and profits are taken, it would be interesting to do the math on an upscale RV park daily rate vs. the (net) money made on an all inclusive room minus the food, room upkeep and bar costs.

In terms of the boondockers, there will always be folks with high end RVs that want to camp for nothing (saw lots of these in the desert in California), but there is always a market for upscale RV parks. We noted that in Yuma in the $500 per month parks that the occupancy seemed to be around 50% this past winter. We stayed at an upscale park in California at triple that rate plus electricity, we asked about getting a site on the edge of the golf course and were told that we could get on the waiting list for someone to pass away before a site would become available!

Of course the sales of RV's are sky high. But ask 100 of the new buyers if they are going to Mexico. The answer will be no. ALMCC has given a great response. Yes fear will be a factor but infrastructure is probably the biggest problem. RV parks with one 15 amp circuit for 2 units. Water pressure that wont even rise to your unit. Tight spaces built for small trailers with no slides. The regulars on this forum do not care about those problems but the new generation of RV'rs want something better. The lack of rv spaces in some areas was a big problem but the decrease in the amount of RV'rs has solved that problem! Many of the nicest parks on the coast are in areas where property values are ridiculous. How can you make money in an RV park that can hold maybe 50 units when a Condo or hotel development could have many hundreds of rooms. RV'rs are only in Mexico for a short season. As Chris stated they are a bad investment. The government is not interested in developing RV parks BUT Tourism in general is booming. Just go to one of the snowbird parks in AZ and mention that you are going to Mexico. The reactions will be: Aren't you worried about your security? I heard a Canadian was killed. Don't the roads damage your unit? Too many nice places to see in the USA. Some will even call you a fool for going to Mexico ! Another problem is that Mexico has never been a destination for RV'rs with children. It is families that are buying all those toy trailers! If the Mexican government showed an interest in RV tourism there would be positive changes. Aduana could drop all the dumb rules and make it as easy as entering Canada or the USA. No holograms and no bonds. Tolls for RV's could be lowered( at one time they did not charge for toads). But alas that is just wishful thinking. Another problem is the RV'rs who insist on going to tourist areas and boondocking on empty lots or Wal Marts. That is a slap in the face for RV park owners. We often get 3 or 4 high end MH's in Kino who just pull into a lot across from the beach. Very bad manners!
Moisheh

If it's a fact that the RV crowd is getting older

The "Baby Boomers" are coming - the "Baby Boomers" are coming!! They are the ones who are getting older and starting retirement and buying RVs at a very rapid rate and some (though not all) are looking for adventure. If the bad PR about Mexico gets turned around there will be more RVers looking to Mexico. I know I can tend to rant on here about how so many people think Mexico is so much worse than it actually is and how so many people are unaware of the crime statistics in the US - but that could change and RVers will go to Mexico. Now the problem is that quite a few halfway decent parks have had to close due to the lack of business in recent years. We can only hope that new business will get these old parks to start up again and to upgrade to meet the requirements of the new customers.

We enjoyed spending the winter on the Pacific coast south of Mazatlan for 4 winters ending in 2010. The increasing violence around Mazatlan was one of the factors that ended our Mexican snowbirding.

If it's a fact that the RV crowd is getting older the other possible factors that make Mexico undersirable are in no specific order:

Unavailability of ULS diesel for newer diesel equipment. A friend who still goes down is limited to going as far as San Carlos as that's how far a tankful will take him into Mexico and back. Not worth the risk and hassle of warranty/mechanical issues for lots of folks.

Border hassles/delays are another potential road block. Why put up with long delays, communication problems, hassles bringing in your play stuff and the requirements for holograms and bonds on your CC when you can move to and from Canada and the US much easier?

Perhaps the biggest negative is the unavailability of first world RV parks. Having to worry about quality (and quantity) of reliable electricity, potable water and a reasonable RV environment is definitely a negative for the older folks. El Mirador in San Carlos in it's heyday came closest to a first world RV park that attracted the RV crowd. I guess younger folks from Europe in Expedition RVs like the challenges of Mexico but I think a lot of Rvers north of the border have forsaken Mexico for the reasons above.

moisheh wrote:
I certainly do not see any great increase in the number of RV travelers. None of the people mentioned are hungry to RV in Mexico. They are moving to Mexico and flying in on junkets. This will probably never change. The generation that is retiring will want more than just a place to park. Not many RV parks in Mexico will meet their requirements. Even though the # of RV spaces has decreased there were still vacancies this past season. High CG prices, expensive fuel and tolls, hassles at the border, crazy Aduana rules and now insurance that is slow to pay does not help. Visiting in a caravan where they do everything but dump your tanks is not like traveling by yourself!

Moisheh

I respectfully disagree. We are still in recovery mode.
The economy is improving.
The RV sales chart: Recreational Vehicle Industry Report shows the story. RV sales have quadrupled since December 2008 - (5,600 units manufactured the month of December 2008)
and (30,500 units manufactured in the month of June 2013)
Those are monthly manufacturing numbers.

The implications for the RV service industry should be clear.
Mexico's participation will depend greatly on its public perception of security.
The good people of Mexico have suffered greatly from the drug trade and government corruption.
When those problems are suppressed and and international public relations improve, and they are, you will see ground level improvements overall.

OTOH, business in general is doing well in Mexico. We now know that artificial turf is booming. Monterrey is using it on city projects where cement was previously. It's been there for over three years and still looks good as new.

I think there are only two types of Mexican rv parks; big resorts like in northern Baja and the government run Fonatur, and then the people who do it just for fun. We always wanted one, but it wouldn't be a money maker, it would be to help rvers and make new friends.

I certainly do not see any great increase in the number of RV travelers. None of the people mentioned are hungry to RV in Mexico. They are moving to Mexico and flying in on junkets. This will probably never change. The generation that is retiring will want more than just a place to park. Not many RV parks in Mexico will meet their requirements. Even though the # of RV spaces has decreased there were still vacancies this past season. High CG prices, expensive fuel and tolls, hassles at the border, crazy Aduana rules and now insurance that is slow to pay does not help. Visiting in a caravan where they do everything but dump your tanks is not like traveling by yourself!

Moisheh

The younger generation is not Buying into the RV Life.. At the cost of Fuel, Insurance , tolls, repairs and RV park rates 500 USD or more per month.. And land prices worth to much for a seasonal RV Park. its creating a slow downward spiral for the parks..

Caravans are not always the best for a park..