If you missed the news, The Dirt Off Road Campers picked up GOLD in the 2022 SA Tourism Awards in the Retail and Hire Services category, the first for a South Australian Recreational Vehicle (RV) Dealer.
The Awards recognise businesses and individuals who have demonstrated business excellence, innovation, and outstanding achievement in the South Australian tourism industry.
We first attended the awards five years ago. Back in 2017, award sponsor the Caravan and Camping Industry Association of South Australia invited members to display their product as a side-line interest at the awards. We stepped up to the plate with our award-winning Pioneer Mitchell, Pioneer’s first hybrid offering.
In 2019 we were invited to do it all again, and the popular Lifestyle Reconn R2 hybrid came along for the ride. It was only then that we began to ponder our own contribution to the Tourism industry and how we could get involved.
Historically, the awards have focused on tourist attractions, festivals and events, tourism experiences, visitor information centres, business event venues, tour operators, adventure tourism, restaurants, wineries, holiday parks, and accommodation. However, in 2021 a new category, Tourism Retail and Hire Services was created, and so our awards journey began.
It was daunting, planning and compiling our 10,000-word submission covering our business background, business development, marketing, and customer experience.
We followed the framework and leveraged resources available from the Tourism Industry Council of South Australia. This included workshops from key stakeholders and a raft of online resources on how to put together a winning submission.
The awards are an excellent development tool, which encourages the fine tuning of business plans, working on all elements of the business, and developing innovative strategies for future growth.
In 2021 we were thrilled to be the recipient of the Bronze Award, working shoulder to shoulder with much larger retail-based tourism operators; not a bad effort for our first year!
In 2022, Gold, in the Tourism Retail and Hire Services category was firmly in our sights.
As a business, it has been a wonderful year! We were lucky to secure our third iconic Australian brand to our niche off road RV business, with the addition of Kimberley Kampers, joining Lifestyle Campers and Track Trailer.
Apart from specialising in premium Australian campers, our other focus has been on low impact camping, with the introduction of composting toilets, use of grey water tanks to collect water, and large solar arrays to do away with generators. In addition, some of our hybrid campers use a modified cassette toilet system which is chemical free.
We feel very privileged to do what we do, to help other enthusiasts realise their travel dreams in capable, dependable, and comfortable off-road campers. Leveraging our own travel experience including the Big Lap has been a key part of our success.
Tracing our history, back in 2014 we were appointed the first Patriot Campers dealership in Australia, selling campers out of our backyard in the Adelaide Hills. Back then, our next goal was to be appointed a country dealer for Track Trailer, as we were experienced with the brand, owning a Desert Eagle soft floor, Tvan hard floor, and the Topaz hybrid. All that knowledge pointed to an untapped resource. In a typical David vs Goliath battle, we were unable to succeed at that time, as Track already had a large dealership looking after sales in South Australia, and a smaller country dealer did not appear to add any value.
Instead, we dabbled around in other smaller brands such as Stockman Products (Pod Trailer), Pioneer, Rhinomax, BRS Offroad, Travelander tray back campers, Bushranger, and various roof top tent brands, which facilitated moving into a commercial premises.
In 2019, Track Trailer acquired Pioneer Campers leading to a second Track Dealership in South Australia – our initial goal! And within a brief period, we were outselling the existing dealer.
We took the opportunity to rationalise our range, to focus on the booming hybrid segment from large Australian manufacturers.
Enough history. Back at the 2022 Awards, it was a great night on so many levels. We were able to meet other winners from SA Station Stays including the families from Bendelby Ranges and Almerta Station.
The Tourism industry always put on a magnificent event, with an impressive food and beverage package, and a well run presentation.
Wish us luck as we roll on to represent South Australia at the national Qantas Australian Tourism Awards hosted in Sydney on 17 March 2023.
We look forward to networking with other winners and gaining inspiration to further improve what we do.
