All in CARAVANING 2023 continues in giving guidance to China’s Recreational Vehicle (RV) camping industry

The All in CARAVANING (AIC) 2023 was held successfully from June 16th to 18th at the Beijing Beiren Etrong International Exhibition & Convention Center after a two-year hiatus. This latest edition of AIC breathed new life into China's Recreational Vehicle (RV) camping industry, fueling its recovery and development, whilst fostering cross-industry integration.

“At long last, colleagues from the RV industry got together once again in Beijing. We felt strong public enthusiasm for RV travel along with a great innovative spirit within the industry. Trade shows continue to serve as an irreplaceable platform for face-to-face communication and immersive product experiences, benefiting both exhibitors and visitors. However, the RV industry in China is currently facing challenges. In addition, the overall domestic economic downturn has led to longer buying cycles for RV users, and market demand still needs a longer recovery period. We saw a decline in professional visitor numbers compared with the previous show. But the vibrant atmosphere of the event reaffirmed the enduring aspirations and strong interest people hold for a RV vacation lifestyle. Throughout the three-day event, we welcomed 8,300 professional visitors. It is worth mentioning that with the lifting of international travel restrictions, we were pleased to welcome nearly 200 overseas buyers from about 20 countries and regions. I believe that China's RV industry has a promising future ahead." expressed Mr. Marius Berlemann, General Manager of Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

As an international caravanning trade show, AIC 2023 received the official patronage from the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport. The official German Pavilion, organized by German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, and supported by the German Caravanning Industry Association (CIVD), welcomed 9 producers from Germany, displaying their RV products in the 400sqm pavilion. Mr. Stefan Koschke, Director of CARAVAN SALON, the world's largest show for motorhomes and caravans, said: “The German pavilion with participants such as Truma, Vöhringer or ALKO as well as the participation of other important European and international exhibitors at the AIC show the interest in the Chinese future market and are a unique selling point of the AIC. In addition, the mixture of business visitors and consumers, are the great strength of this event.” 

Wen Zheng, General Sales Manager of JOSHING SPECIAL VEHICLE, sums up with great satisfaction: “AIC provided an international platform for caravan manufacturers and industry professionals to communicate with each other. We were fortunate to meet with potential customers from Australia and even Brazil, which was never expected. This is the biggest advantage of AIC over other caravan shows in China. We also had in-depth conversations with top German parts suppliers in the German Pavilion. This fully demonstrates the international exposure and high-quality business platform.” 

“Although the number of visitors this year was lower than the last edition, the professionalism of the visitors remained high, which provided us with good opportunities for business cooperation and international development. Through communication with potential buyers, we can improve our professional knowledge and market insights, understand market trends, grasp market demand and consumer psychology, and better adjust our product portfolio and sales strategies. We believe that AIC will continue to leverage its strengths, injecting new impetus and vitality into the development of the industry, helping China's manufacturers go global and become important players in the international market.” rejoiced Yang Zhijie, General Manager of ARANA TECHNOLOGY (Shenzhen) CO., LTD.

Themed "Reconstructing · Linking", the 2023 Forum on Development of Road Trips in China, concluded successfully on June 16th. Experts from investment institutions, tourism groups, scenic areas and tourism bureaus, Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), rental platforms, RV manufacturers, and campground operators gathered for the event, resulting in a remarkable turnout of 120 attendees. At the forum, experts delved into the interpretation of the Guidance on Promoting Healthy and Orderly Development of Camping Tourism. Stimulating discussions revolved around key topics, such as the distinctive features of camping tourism in the new era, multifaceted growth of campgrounds, and emerging economic opportunities within the realm of RV travel. These exchanges provided invaluable insights and charted the path for the sustainable development of RV road trips in the post-pandemic era.

On June 17th, the third edition of the Sino-German Dealer Workshop, which returned to an offline format, was successfully held, attracting more than 50 RV professionals to the event. Exhibitors and visitors warmly welcomed Mr. Kai Dhonau, President of the German Caravan Dealer Association (DCHV), for in-depth exchanges and discussions. Mr. Dhonau shared valuable insights and knowledge, including German RV sales data, customer acquisition channels for potential buyers in Germany, and his analysis of the future trends of electric RVs.

“The workshop is an important reference and learning session for the Chinese RV industry. The sales figures of German RVs have always been the benchmark of the industry, and Mr. Dhonau's sharing gave us an insight into the actual situation and trends of the German caravanning market. From the exchanges at this workshop, I believe that the Chinese RV industry will become more mature and efficient, closely aligned with the international market, and provide better quality and advanced products and services to global consumers.” Said Su Ma, Marketing Director of Jiangsu Cesiumai Technology Co., Ltd.

This year, AIC extended special invitations to a number of influential Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) in the RV industry, including “Yeluzi”, “Chuiza," "RV Detective”, "Shuaizi”, “Xiaolan”, “Captain Yeyun," and “Brother Tian”. They participated in live streaming sessions to generate a buzz and attracted substantial traffic to AIC. Over the course of three days, the live broadcasts garnered a total of 40,000 views. In future, AIC will continue to work closely with industry KOLs to spread more information on caravanning and camping to the public. As a communication platform, AIC will also provide more opportunities for enthusiasts to learn about different RV brands, products, and services, involving them in various fun and camping activities.

As a freer way of living and travelling, Vanlife has attracted a greater number of young people in recent years. The two new interactive exhibition areas, namely Vanlife Carnival and AIC Lab, proved to be the highlight of this year's AIC. Visitors were captivated by the exquisite van models on display, leading to a constant stream of inquiries about the art of RV modification.

The AIC Lab in particular, drew a lot of people, as its immersive forest-themed setup created an enchanting and captivating atmosphere that caught the attention of visitors. Preliminary estimates indicate that AIC Lab received over 500 visitors throughout nine sessions. Its collaboration with Mr. Yuan Ye, an outdoor influencer and expert from Junwu Brand, further raised the excitement levels by actively engaging with the visitors during multiple themed discussions, which provided attendees with fresh insights and practical knowledge on various aspects of RV travel, including winter equipment selection, Vanlife modifications, RV renovations, and outdoor rescue techniques. Furthermore, seasoned RV enthusiast Mr. Wang Jun delighted the visitors with his engaging presentation on Vanlife in Europe and the history and popularity of VW T-model camping car. His humorous delivery and comprehensive expertise won over the hearts of numerous attendees.

Mr. Wang Jun felt enthusiastic with AIC’s performance: “As a long-time friend of AIC, I was honored to be invited to the show as an overseas ambassador and guest speaker. I felt that AIC was as professional and innovative as ever, with a wide range of activities offering visitors the opportunity to learn about caravanning culture. This also reflected AIC's dedication and creativity. They have always been committed to provide exhibitors and visitors with the best possible showcase stage and experience.”

Timo Boll, internationally renowned table tennis star from Germany, and brand ambassador for German Caravanning Industry Association (CIVD), visited AIC on June 16th and showcased his passion for RV travel as a seasoned enthusiast. With a genuine interest in Chinese RV culture, Boll explored Chinese exhibitors' booths at AIC and engaged in insightful conversations and exchanges. In an interactive session that followed, he even delighted a few lucky visitors by demonstrating his exceptional table tennis skills, igniting a wave of excitement on the ground.

Building on this year’s result, AIC, as an industry platform to promote the products and branding, continues enhancing the popularity of RV camping culture in China. AIC will uphold its commitment to diversifying its scope and continue to integrate various related industries for mutual growth. With strong support from CARAVAN SALON DÜSSELDORF, the world's largest show for motorhomes and caravans, AIC is dedicated to bringing the pinnacle of the global RV exhibition to China. 

AIC 2024 will continue to be held in Beijing in the first half of next year. For more information, please visit www.aicshow.com.

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