Visit Yuma: RV Park occupancy up during pandemic

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Tourists that traveled to Yuma before the pandemic started extended their stay in RV Parks causing a 7% increase in occupancy.

Linda Morgan, Executive Director of Visit Yuma says the city didn't take as hard of a hit as other cities across the nation.

"In some places in the nation, we were down almost 80% in occupancy, and here in Yuma, the worst that it got was about 60% down from prior year," Morgan said.

Yuma has seen a steady increase in hotel occupancy. This past week, hotels were only down 20% from this time last year.

RV Parks are on track to do better than they did last year.

"With, uh, the 2% hospitality tax collection, even through the worst of times, through March and April, we were still up almost 7% when compared to the prior year," Morgan explained.

Morgan says visitors who didn't want to be exposed to the coronavirus ended up extending their stay.

"People from Oregon and Washington where they were seeing hot spots, those people who were here as visitors didn't return as quickly. Some of them stayed until June," Morgan said.

Because of the wide range of outdoor activities, there are many ways to experience the city while social distancing.

Visit Yuma recommends locals to take a stay-cation and experience what Yuma has to offer.