Bend RV dealer says sales and rentals are booming

All Seasons Marine & RV in Bend experiences welcome surge

(Update: Adding video, comments from RV dealer, customer)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- While air travel-related businesses are still struggling, sales at a Bend recreational vehicle business are on the rise.

When COVID-19 first hit Central Oregon, All Seasons RV & Marine lost quite a bit of money, especially when the Sportsmen's Show in Redmond was canceled the day of the event.

But, now as more state parks begin to open, Oregonians are traveling more -- and many are using RVs to do so.

Rick Wise, one of the owners at All Seasons Marine & RV, said Friday his business has "skyrocketed" in the last couple of months. Wise believes the reason for those high sale numbers and an increase in customers is the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With the whole travel industry, the way it’s been impacted by the virus, that this just allows them to control their own destiny," Wise said. "And go where they want to go, when they want to go.”

Wise said fewer people are likely to travel by plane, because there is a greater risk of catching the disease.

He added that more people who rent campers are taking them a longer distance, which costs more.

Central Oregonian Bob Swisher became the latest to join the camper club when he bought his brand-new camper from All Seasons. He said campers are ideal for camping in the age of social distancing.

“You’re around people, but you’re not really close to everybody," Swisher said. "It’s kind of one way you can still have some fun and social distance.”