This trend emerged from restrictions on international travel imposed during the pandemic, which encouraged Malaysians to seek alternatives for domestic family vacations.
While camping became a top choice, some preferred the comforts of home. As such, the best holiday option for them was to travel in a caravan, said entrepreneur Ahmad Hazwan Zahari.
The owner of Shah Alam-based Karysma Motorhome said he got the idea to go into the caravan business in 2021. At the time, he was running a venture that required him to deliver sewing supplies to faraway locations within the country.
“However, it was very difficult to book hotels during the Movement Control Order, and sometimes I had to sleep in my car. I thought about how convenient it would be to have a motorhome. Everything would be easier with a toilet, bed and other basic necessities,” he recalled.
Ahmad Hazwan eventually purchased his first motorhome for RM50,000. Thereafter, he began creating videos on the benefits of going on vacations in a motorhome, which he posted on his YouTube channel.
Some of the videos went viral, turning his YouTube channel into the main promotional platform for his business.
With increasing demand, especially after the pandemic, Ahmad Hazwan began importing RVs from countries including Japan, the US and the UK, while continuing to run his sewing supplies business.
Today, Karysma Motorhome is one of the leading RV companies in Malaysia, offering a wide range of motorhomes and caravans to meet rising demand. To date, Ahmad Hazwan has sold more than 250 motorhomes.
“Most of my customers are retirees, families with small children, and entrepreneurs. Younger customers prefer to rent an RV as it is costly to buy a new or used one,” he said, adding that brand-new motorhomes can cost upward of RM100,000, while his company rents them out for RM700 a day.
He and his team also offer refurbishment services, including installing solar panels and refrigerators in motorhomes. The cost for such upgrades ranges from RM5,000 to RM20,000, depending on the RV model.
Ahmad Hazwan also highlighted several challenges when it comes to buying motorhomes. One of these is the general lack of understanding that RV purchases require full payment in cash, as banks currently do not offer loans for this type of vehicle.
He also said buying used motorhomes from abroad carries risks, as suppliers usually only send photos or videos. Unfortunately, the actual condition is only visible once the vehicle arrives in Malaysia.
In terms of specifications, Malaysian motorhomes are usually equipped with amenities such as a toilet, refrigerator, air conditioner, television, bed, dining table and gas stove.
“What’s unique is that motorhomes are not only comfortable but also strengthen bonds as family members spend time together in a small space. It offers a very different experience compared to a hotel or homestay,” he noted.
Ahmad Hazwan also actively promotes domestic tourism through the Campervan and Motorhomes Association of Malaysia, of which he is secretary. The association, established in 2021, organises activities such as weekly gatherings at attractive locations across the country, community events to provide flood-relief services, and mosque tours.
While acknowledging that the motorhome industry in Malaysia is still in its infancy compared with other countries, he believes it has great potential and can be “elevated to greater heights with the right support”.
This includes the provision of bank loans for the purchase of motorhomes, and introduction of policies that ease imports, Ahmad Hazwan said, pointing to the high import-tax rate of 35% for RVs, which makes buying motorhomes more expensive in Malaysia compared with other countries.