The open-air hospitality sector is today one of the most dynamic components of Italian tourism, marked by steady growth and increasing interest from travelers. In this rapidly evolving environment, the first edition of the Best Camping Village Awards 2026 takes shape, an award created to recognize and celebrate those establishments that stand out for professionalism, innovation, and their ability to anticipate and meet the changing needs of their guests.
Promoted by Teamwork, a consultancy firm specializing in hospitality, in collaboration with Hospitality – Il Salone dell’Accoglienza, the award will be presented on Wednesday, 4 February 2026 in Riva del Garda, during the prestigious trade show. The awards ceremony will be a moment dedicated to all those who contribute daily to the development of the open-air tourism sector, strengthening Italy’s position as a leading destination in Europe and worldwide.
Eight award categories
The establishments participating in the Best Camping Village Awards 2026 have applied to compete in eight categories that reflect the diverse dimensions of open-air hospitality. The awards range from the quality of welcome and service to the ability to offer a truly distinctive glamping experience; from the value of entertainment programs to the attention given to guest wellness and relaxation; from the focus on accessibility to the variety of sports activities on offer.
Additional categories acknowledge commitment to sustainability and highlight services, facilities, and common areas that help create a comfortable and memorable stay. Finalists – three per category – will be announced on 15 December, ahead of the final awards ceremony in Riva del Garda in February during Hospitality – Il Salone dell’Accoglienza.
The categories include:
- Best Welcome and Service
- Best Glamping Experience
- Best Entertainment Program
- Best Wellness and Relaxation Experience
- Best Accessible Hospitality
- Best Sports and Outdoor Offering
- Best Sustainability Program
- Best Services, Areas, and Common Spaces
A distinguished jury
The Best Camping Village Awards 2026 aim to shine a spotlight on the sector’s most outstanding examples. The winners will be selected by a qualified jury made up of experienced professionals from the outdoor sector, including Antonio Mazzucchelli, a journalist specialized in open-air tourism, and Paolo Galvani, editor-in-chief of Camping Business and Mobile Home Business. Joining them are Mauro Santinato, president of Teamwork, and Alessandra Albarelli, General Director of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi, among others.
Evaluations will consider not only the quality of services and infrastructure, but also the ability to offer a warm welcome, create authentic experiences, and stand out through sustainable and creative approaches. “Today, campsites are no longer simple stopover areas, but real open-air resorts capable of offering high-level experiences, with increasingly personalized, sustainable, and technology-driven services,” says Mauro Santinato. “With the Best Camping Village Awards, we want to give visibility and recognition to those establishments that have transformed camping into an extraordinary experience, blending nature, comfort, and authentic human connection”.
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