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Greg Gerber -- October 31, 2008 -- OTTAWA
 A new study which compares total carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) demonstrates that RV vacations are more
environmentally friendly than vacations involving flying, driving and hotel stays.
The study, conducted by U.S.-based PKF Consulting, a third party independent research firm specializing in travel and tourism, revealed that a family of four taking an RV vacation will generate less CO2 emissions than a family traveling by plane, renting a car, and staying in a hotel.
"Since a large part of the RV lifestyle has to do with enjoying and respecting the great outdoors, RVers are generally pretty environmentally conscious people to begin with," said Go RVing Canada spokesperson Catherine Fortin LeFaivre. "What this study shows is that by RVing, Canadians will actually be choosing a greener alternative to traditional vacations."
The methodology of the study was as follows: PKF analyzed the CO2 emissions of vacations varying in length from three, seven, 10 and 14 days to destinations such as Orlando, FL; New Orleans, LA; and Napa, CA. The RV vacations which were studied included car/ folding camping trailers, SUV/travel trailers, Type C motorhomes, and Type A motorhomes (using diesel). PKF then utilized a carbon calculator methodology developed by Conservation International, an organization promoting biodiversity conservation. Their findings revealed that in all cases, RV vacations had less of an environmental impact than the more traditional vacations involving flying, renting a car and staying at a hotel.
"We already know that RVing is a more flexible and cost effective vacation choice," said Fortin LeFaivre. "Canadians should also know that it's a greener travel option. In fact, many RVers actually park their RVs at a given campsite for days and sometimes weeks at a time, further reducing their carbon footprint when this is the case."
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