The opening of Caravan Salon 2026 in Düsseldorf is now approaching, with the event scheduled from 28 August to 6 September. As always, the exhibition will be enriched by a comprehensive programme of professional meetings gathered under the “Destination Future: Knowledge, Inspiration, Exchange” format, featuring high-profile speakers and an agenda focused on the main changes currently shaping outdoor tourism. Here are the most interesting events for the camping sector.
Monday 31 August: funding, innovation and new technologies
The B2B programme of the Caravan Salon 2026 will open with the 6th German Motorhome Pitch Day, taking place in Hall 1, first floor, Room 15, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Organised by the Caravaning Industry Association (CIVD), ADAC and the German Tourism Association (DTV), the event will focus on the theme: “More economic strength for regions through funding: what opportunities are available for municipalities and private investors?”.
The meeting will bring together experts, public administrators and tourism professionals to explore the economic role of caravanning, the evolution of the motorhome market, the relationship between caravanning and wine tourism, funding opportunities and planning tools for the development of motorhome pitches.
Considerable attention will also be given to innovation, with insights into the digitalisation of motorhome areas, smart destination management, the conversion of car parks into motorhome pitches and practical examples such as the Fränkische Schweiz project and the collaboration between CIVD and Nationale Naturlandschaften. The day will conclude with a visit to a model motorhome pitch in the external area of the fair and a networking session.
The growing role of AI
In the afternoon, the focus will shift to the Innovation Stage, dedicated to the technologies, infrastructures and digital services that are transforming the caravanning sector. The sessions will take place in Hall 7, on the “Travel & Nature Connected” stage, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Among the most topical issues:
- “The infrastructure of the future: how fast charging is changing caravanning and tourism”, dedicated to the evolution of electric mobility solutions;
- “Camping meets artificial intelligence: how operators are redefining customer service through digital concierge systems”, focusing on new tools to improve the guest experience.
Artificial intelligence-based concierge systems are transforming the relationship between campsites and travellers, offering multilingual assistance 24/7, answering enquiries, booking additional services and providing personalised recommendations, overcoming traditional communication tools such as phone calls, reception desks and paper notices.
Tuesday 1 September: nature, tourism and destination development
The morning of Tuesday 1 September will be dedicated to the “Nature. Tourism. Future” symposium, taking place in Hall 1, first floor, Room 15, from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm. The event will explore the role of sport and outdoor activities in the development of tourist destinations, analysing how new trends linked to active tourism can create economic and infrastructure opportunities for local areas.
Speakers will include Max Hartung from the German Sports Foundation and Lex Delles, Luxembourg’s Minister for Tourism.
Camping Destination Day: camping as a driver of regional development
Also on Tuesday 1 September, from 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm, the Camping Destination Day will take place (Hall 1, first floor, Room 15). The central theme will be the role of camping as a growth driver for local areas. Once considered a niche market, outdoor tourism has become a strategic sector capable of generating economic value, promoting destinations and creating new development opportunities.
The programme will present several successful case studies, including Sauerland Tourismus, an example of a destination that has integrated caravanning into its tourism strategy, and the Müllerthal region in Luxembourg, where nature, outdoor tourism and caravanning coexist within an integrated offer model.
Sport, events and territorial development
The relationship between sport, events and tourism will also be explored, with a focus on the potential of racetracks and motorsport as destination attractors. Motorsport enthusiasts represent a particularly interesting audience for recreational tourism: every year, thousands of visitors travel to circuits with motorhomes and caravans, staying for several days and generating significant economic benefits for destinations.
Other topics will include the case of Wacken Open Air, one of Europe’s most important music festivals, and the strategies adopted to manage temporary pitches, transforming a major event into an opportunity for tourism development.
Technology for motorhome pitches and new hospitality models
The digitalisation of motorhome pitches will also be discussed, with Camping-Car Park presenting how smart solutions can help municipalities manage tourist flows more efficiently, increasing hospitality capacity and reducing organisational challenges.
The programme will also feature a contribution from Falkensteiner Camping, focusing on the growing interest of traditional hotel groups in the outdoor sector. This trend confirms that camping is now considered a strategic segment of the hospitality industry, capable of responding to travellers’ changing needs.
The day will conclude with the conference “The tourism industry meets the world of caravanning”, a networking event organised by the Tourism Industry Club, dedicated to discussing opportunities, synergies and future prospects between tourism and caravanning.
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