Growth Of Caravan Tourism Opens New Opportunities Post-COVID-19

Travelling or touring in a motorhome or caravan, a type of recreational vehicle (RV) with living quarters behind the driver’s compartment, is becoming increasingly popular in Malaysia, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.

This trend emerged from restrictions on international travel imposed during the pandemic, which encouraged people to seek alternatives for domestic family vacations.

While camping became a top choice, some preferred the comforts of home, with the best holiday option for them being travelling in a caravan, said entrepreneur Ahmad Hazwan Zahari who deals in motorhomes.  

COMFORTABLE

Reflecting on his involvement in the business, the owner of Shah Alam-based Karysma Motorhomes said he got the idea of going into the caravan business in 2021. At that time, he was running a venture supplying tailoring-related items and often had to deliver sewing supplies to faraway locations within the country.

“However, it was very difficult to book hotels during the Movement Control Order period and sometimes I had to sleep in my car. Eventually, I thought how convenient it would be to have a motorhome; everything would be easier with a toilet, bed and other basic necessities,” he said, adding he purchased his first motorhome for RM50,000 shortly after.

Karysma Motorhomes is among the leaders in the caravan industry in Malaysia, offering a wide range of caravans to meet the growing demand.

He also diligently created various YouTube videos to share the benefits of going on vacations in a motorhome. These videos, which he posted on his YouTube channel Karysma Motorhomes, highlighted the many advantages of having a motorhome.

Some of the videos eventually went viral, attracting public attention and turning his YouTube channel into the main promotional platform for his business.

“At the time, I noticed there was very little public knowledge about this industry, so I quickly seized the opportunity.

“From there, more and more people began contacting me to ask how to own a motorhome and I saw the industry starting to grow gradually. This is where the journey of my company began,” he added.

GROWING IN POPULARITY

With increasing demand, especially after the pandemic, Ahmad Hazwan started importing RVs from countries such as Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, while continuing to run his sewing supplies business.

Today, Karysma Motorhomes is one of the leading motorhome companies in Malaysia, offering a wide range of motorhomes and caravans to meet the rising demand. To date, Ahmad Hazwan has sold more than 250 motorhomes.

Holidays in a motorhome or caravan, which is equipped with space like a small house, is becoming increasingly popular in Malaysia.

“Most of my customers who purchase motorhomes are retirees, families with small children and entrepreneurs. For younger customers, they prefer to rent a motorhome as it is costly to buy a new or used one, with prices starting from RM100,000,” he said, adding his company also provides motorhome rental services at a rate of RM700 a day.

To add value to his business, Ahmad Hazwan and his team of mechanics also offer refurbishment services, including installing solar panels and refrigerators in motorhomes. The cost for such upgrades ranges from RM5,000 to RM20,000, depending on the RV model.

“I once bought a motorhome for RM50,000, spent RM10,000 on repairs and resold it for RM100,000,” he added, demonstrating the potential profit margins if the business is run correctly.

However, he acknowledged several challenges in purchasing motorhomes. One of these is the general lack of understanding that motorhome purchases require full payment in cash, as banks currently do not offer loans for this type of vehicle.

He also said buying used motorhomes from abroad carries risks. This is because the suppliers usually only send photos or videos, but the actual condition is only visible once the motorhome arrives in Malaysia.

STIMULATE LOCAL ECONOMY

In terms of specifications, motorhomes popular in Malaysia are usually equipped with amenities such as a toilet, refrigerator, air conditioner, television, bed, dining table and gas stove.

“What’s unique is that motorhomes are not only comfortable but also strengthen family bonds as the family members spend time together in a small space. It offers a very different experience compared to staying in a hotel or homestay,” he said.

Hazwan Zahari said that motorhomes not only provide comfort but also strengthen family relationships.

Ahmad Hazwan also actively promotes domestic tourism through the Campervan and Motorhomes Association of Malaysia of which he is secretary.

The association, established in 2021, organises activities such as weekly gatherings at attractive locations across the country, and also community events to provide flood relief services, as well as mosque tours.

“Recently, we managed to gather 200 motorhomes and campervans, with over 1,000 participants, in Langkawi. Programmes like this are not only fun but also have an economic impact on the local community,” he said.

He added that the association also receives support from relevant agencies such as the Langkawi Development Authority and Tourism Malaysia.

“For example, we received a RM30,000 grant for our gathering in Langkawi, which helped generate a significant return to the local community through fuel and food purchases, and workshop services.

“We see this movement as a way to promote domestic tourism and support the local industry.”

However, he added, much still needs to be done to improve the industry, including providing more camping sites with basic facilities.

While acknowledging that the motorhome industry in Malaysia is still in its infancy compared to other countries, he believed it has great potential with the “right support”.

“This sector can be elevated to greater heights with the right support, including the provision of bank loans (for the purchase of motorhomes) and introduction of policies that ease imports,” he said, pointing to the high import tax rate of 35 percent for RVs which makes buying motorhomes more expensive in Malaysia compared to other countries.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

Meanwhile, Shahrul Amin Abdullah, 39, a police officer from Selangor, described his first experience renting a motorhome for four days and three nights as unforgettable and very practical for his large family.

Speaking about his recent trip to Terengganu, Penang and Perak, the father of five said the amenities in the caravan provided a different travel experience for his family.

“I remember stopping at the Teluk Bahang beach in Penang to enjoy the sound of the waves and the refreshing sea breeze. There’s also a dam and the Teluk Bahang forest reserve, but being a popular tourist destination, it is quite difficult to find homestay or hotel accommodation there.

“So, renting a motorhome was a good idea for us. The kids could sleep or use the toilet without needing to stop at a rest area. And, if the road was congested, we could stop by the roadside to take a short break,” he said.

He added that the spacious interior of the RV made it comfortable for his children to play and rest.

Planning to travel further in the future, Shahrul Amin said he would recommend caravan vacations to those with large families like his.

“I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a unique and stress-free travel experience,” he said, adding driving an RV does not require a special license as a Class D driving license is sufficient.