Caravan World Issue 618

After months of restricted travel, we are finally on the road. After a visit to family in Byron Bay, we are happily camped for a few days on the beach at Brooms Head on the North Coast of NSW. Despite having made the Sydney–Queensland trip dozens of times, we still find detours to the coast from Highway 1 that we haven’t explored, and Brooms Head is a ripper. We travelled some of the new freeway heading past Ballina on this latest trip, and the difference is remarkable. Compared to the frenzied free-for-all of a decade back, the run up the coast is a breeze, and the miles slip by quickly. One of the aspects of long freeway driving I am liking is being able to cruise along at a more leisurely speed…

The University of Queensland has released new data showing that just 51 per cent of Aussies plan to travel overseas now that international borders are opening. New Zealand and Europe are the most popular destinations according to the online survey of 560 Australians, conducted by Associate Professor Gabby Walters at the UQ Business School. “This shows there may be a lukewarm response to the opening of international borders for the first time in 18 months,” Dr Walters said. The results also showed that a third of Australians would prefer to travel domestically while 16 per cent would not travel at all. Dr Walters conducted a similar survey 18 months ago to compare how Australians were feeling about domestic travel then and now. “Compared to the April 2020 survey, people’s sentiment towards COVID-19 has changed,” she…

Cadac International has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Dometic. The barbecue and accessories provider to the vehicle based outdoor market have more than 600 dealers primarily across Europe, with net sales in 2020 approximately EUR 13 million. Dometic has identified Cadac as having a strong growth opportunity, especially with the increased desire to spend time outdoors by locals and travellers alike around the world. Juan Vargues, President and CEO of Dometic, said the acquisition is the company’s seventh announced acquisition this year. “Our strate›y for profitable expansion in Mobile Living is built on a combination of organic and acquisitive growth,” he said. The transaction will strengthen Dometic’s product offering and network, with closing expecting to take place during the last quarter of 2021.…

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted calls for investment for pandemic protection and preparedness to save the leisure and tourism industries in the future. The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) tourism barometer shows an 88 per cent decline in the number of tourism arrivals so far in 2021. Paul Stannard, Chairman of Vector Innovation Fund, which helps accelerate the use of enabling technology for pandemic protection, said due to vaccine hesitation, governments are maintaining restrictions to reduce the spread — which itself is the biggest barrier for the tourism industry. “Continued investment in technology is required to support industry in managing economies as well as healthcare,” Stannard said. A United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report has highlighted how declining international tourism due to the pandemic could cause a $1.7 to $2.4 trillion industry…

Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) has signed off on a collaboration with Molicel to support the current and next generation of power-optimised battery cells. The collaboration will draw together power-optimised cell technology from Molicel with WAE’s advanced system design and control systems and will focus on advancing future technologies of high performance, superior quality, lithium-ion battery cells across a number of industries. Both companies are invested in the continued sustainability challenges of the 21st century, with the deal hoping to address a number of opportunities across a wide range of applications. Casey Shiue, President of E-One Moli Ener›y (MOLICEL), said Molicel wants to produce outstanding cells to drive the electric evolution. “We will bring our expertise and experiences on consistent high power, low impedance, and fast charge to our collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE).…

The ACCC is urging caravan and motorhome owners to check for dangerous Suburban-branded water heaters, as, “more than 50 per cent of these units might emit deadly odourless carbon monoxide if used in gas mode. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause death, and short-term exposure can cause serious long-term injuries.” Consumers can check if their heater is affected by opening the exterior access door to the hot water service and checking the model and serial number located on the right-hand side. They should then enter the serial number on the Coast to Coast website at coastrv.com.au/suburbanrecall to ensure that theirs is safe. Part of the reason for the ACCC’s concern is that, as of the end of October, over 8,000 consumers still hadn’t registered their water heaters for a free inspection, possibly…