What year was 2023 for the camping sector overseas? One answer comes from the data processed by Campspot, the leading U.S. online reservation management platform, which features 283,000 bookable pitches in over 2,300 campsites. From reservations to the number of campers, the statistics show that, after several years of strong growth, the sector experienced a period of stabilization in 2023. This is good news, considering the social and economic disruptions that characterized the past year.
The sector appears to be in good health and continually evolving, and according to Campspot’s forecasts, 2024 will offer many opportunities for campsite owners and managers. Campspot’s staff has dubbed 2024 the “year of the quiet vacation” after discovering that nearly 70% of campers are seeking a sense of calm and relaxation in their future travels. It is crucial, therefore, for campsites to continue anticipating and adapting to the needs and expectations of campers.
2023 in numbers
A total of $1.9 billion was processed through the Campspot platform in 2023. There were 3.1 million reservations made, serving 8.8 million campers for 32 million nights. As for the camper profile, the collected data shows that the majority of the clientele are adults (38% in the 56-70 age group, and 34% in the 41-55 age group) who stay for an average of 3 nights.
The average number of guests is 2.8, and the preferred accommodation is still the motorhome (chosen by 77% of campers), followed by mobile homes (13%), tents (7%), and other solutions (3%). An important data point is that almost half of the campers (47%) choose where to camp based on the services and experiences offered by the facility.
