Last year, campsites in Germany recorded around 42.3 million overnight stays, according to the Federal Statistical Office. That was 5.2 percent more than in 2022 and even 18.2 percent more than in the pre-Corona year of 2019. “With the exception of the Corona years 2020 and 2021, which were characterized by travel restrictions and accommodation bans, the number of overnight stays camping has risen continuously over the past ten years “, say the statisticians. For comparison: the number of overnight stays across all accommodation providers – including hotels and guesthouses – have not yet reached their pre-Corona level. In 2023 they were still 1.7 percent lower than in 2019.
The German Tourism Association (DTV) sees no end to the upward trend in camping tourism. “We assume that the boom will not let up this year either,” said DTV managing director Norbert Kunz. “A lot of things come together that make camping holidays attractive.” For families, this is a cheap alternative to other types of vacation. In addition, many campsites in Germany have invested heavily in quality, for example in comfortable sanitary facilities and modern parking spaces. During the pandemic, many people rediscovered camping holidays; not only because it was a way to keep the risk of infection low, but also to enjoy a vacation in nature. Prices for overnight stays with a campsite fee rose by 6.6 percent last year.