Go RVing’s Trends to Know: Townsizing

📊 Trends and insights: Go RVing is committed to keeping you up-to-date on trends and insights that impact the RV industry.

• One trend to watch is townsizing.

🤔 What is townsizing? This growing travel trend is not only about where you travel, but also about how you feel when you’re there. Some of the most in-demand getaways are now the quietest ones, such as laid-back small towns with walkable main streets, idyllic countrysides, and unhurried afternoons.

🔢 Numbers to know: According to Priceline’s 2025 travel trend report, young travelers are 67% more likely than average travelers to see a vacation as an opportunity to live out their small-town fantasies.

• Additionally, they’re 89% more likely than average travelers to seek out a vacation that offers a “Nancy Meyers” lifestyle represented in movies like “The Holiday.”

🎤 What they’re saying: "These types of trips are for people who want to sit back, relax, and take their time exploring the local shops and restaurants of a quiet area - away from the hustle and bustle of a big city," Adam Duckworth, President and Founder of Travelmation, told Fox News Digital.

🔎 A closer look: Travel strategist Dulani Porter says millennials and Gen Zers crave unique, immersive travel experiences. “Unlike their parents’ generation, they want to carve out their own travel traditions, and much of that means taking the road less traveled and seeking out places and experiences that their peers may not have,” she says.

• Porter adds while townsizing is usually seen with a preference for smaller towns and cities, it doesn’t mean that you have to skip out on big cities. It can also be about finding more niche, lower-key activities that make you feel more like a local, even if you’re visiting a popular spot.

💭 Our thought bubble: The RV industry can leverage townsizing by continuing to encourage younger buyers— a growing RV demographic— to visit quieter, quainter destinations. An RV trip can offer a number of perks for those looking to embark on a townsized vacation, such as: 

1. Affordability: RV trips are already considered one of the more affordable ways to travel, and visiting townsized destinations is a great way for consumers to continue to save money while having a fun-filled vacation.
2. Emphasis on local experiences: Townsizing is about slowing down, engaging with local communities, and supporting small businesses. This aligns with the RV lifestyle, which allows travelers the freedom and flexibility to stay longer in one location, connect with town residents, or take part in local activities.
3. Remote work: The ability to work remotely means that people can travel and work from anywhere. RVs with features like reliable internet connectivity and comfortable workspaces are ideal for townsizing, as they provide a mobile space for traveling to different small towns without the need for a fixed office.

🤔 Brainstorming ideas: The RV industry can underscore this trend to their consumers by:

1. Working with RV parks and campgrounds: Encourage RV parks and campgrounds that are located near small towns to highlight their proximity to local attractions.
2. Highlighting the "townsizing" narrative: Marketing campaigns can emphasize the unique experiences of small-town destinations. This includes creating content, such as articles and social media posts, that tells the stories of RVers exploring various local attractions.
3. Creating townsize-themed travel guides: Develop and distribute themed itineraries that focus on specific towns or regions. (For example, here’s a “best of” travel guide from Go RVing that features quieter, more authentic local experiences that can be found near Maine’s famous Acadia National Park.)
4. Leveraging influencers and user-generated content: Partner with RV influencers and digital nomads who are already practicing townsizing. Their authentic stories and visual content can be highly effective in reaching new audiences.