Operators of RV parks who do not offer their guests free high speed wireless Internet access (WiFi) may want to change their ways. According to a June survey by RVtravel.com (http://www.rvbookstore.com). "Many of these RVers rely on the Internet to keep in touch with their friends and relatives. Even children and teenagers prefer to have a computer onboard to chat with friends or check their MySpace pages.
"In our conversations with RVers we have learned that many actively seek out parks with Internet access and avoid those without it. Free high speed wireless access, where the RVers can
get online right from a campsite, is especially appealing. I think that any park that does not offer this service these days is losing significant business."
Visits to America's National Parks have dropped recently, from 287.1 million in 1999 to 273.5 million in 2005, and lack of Internet access may be partly to blame, said Woodbury. "There
are many reasons, but I think one is that many campers these days want to bring along their electronic gadgets and that includes their computers," he said. "In most parks, there is no
available Internet access at all. I don't like to admit it, but I believe that some campers simply avoid places where they cannot get online."
Woodbury is recognized as a leading authority on the RV lifestyle. He is the host of the Better Business Bureau DVD, "Buying a Recreational Vehicle," and a former spokesperson for the
Recreation Vehicle Industry Association.
When he is not traveling by RV he lives and works in Edmonds, Wash., where he operates from a 4,000-square-foot office and warehouse along the shores of Puget Sound.