Taking a picture of a sector like that of itinerant tourism is not an easy task. In Germany, the consultancy and research institute dwif, specialized in tourism, has tried it, making use of the economic support of CIG (Caravaning Information Gmbh) and CIVD (Caravaning Industrie Verband e.V., the trade association). An extremely interesting picture emerged, which aims to define the dimensional and economic contours of tourism with recreational vehicles.
The research that has been carried out is actually the continuation of a permanent study already started in 2016. The enrichment of data over time has also made it possible to understand how the sector is developing over time. The latest data refer to 2020 and the survey considered tourists who frequent campsites, those who prefer rest areas or free parking and also those who travel for day trips. It should be noted that for the calculation of the available beds in the equipped structures, a specification of the European Commission, which estimates 4 beds for each pitch, was complied.
Campsites and rest areas
In Germany, 3,061 campsites were thus counted (a number that does not take account of exclusively permanent accommodation facilities) for a total of 228,662 pitches and a maximum of 914,648 bed places. In 2020, official statistics showed that occupancy was almost entirely made up of local guests (93.6% due to the pandemic) who stayed for an average of 3.5 days and with 6.4% guests foreigners with an average stay of 3 days.
There are instead 4,674 rest areas, for a total of 71,435 pitches dedicated to motorhomes. According to research, since 2016 the former has increased by 30%, the latter by only about 15%. All this compares with a growth in motorhomes which in the same period was over 60%. When it comes to the distribution of available pitches, just over half (54.9%) are located in rest areas, a quarter (25.7%) in normal car parks, 9.2% in accommodation facilities or restaurants, 4.7 percent in leisure facilities and only 3.3 percent in campsites.
1.5 million vehicles on the road
Campsites and rest areas serve a fleet of vehicles which, according to the latest statistics, includes a fleet of around 790,000 motorhomes and around 722,000 caravans (+17% since 2016). To these must be added about 210,000 caravans installed as permanent accommodation within the campsites.
The research carried out by dwif then estimates the total number of overnight stays generated by tourists using recreational vehicles in campsites: 48.6 million in 2020, to which must be added another 45.2 millionovernight stays by permanent campers and 2.5 million of overnight stays referring to temporary guests of the latter, such as visiting relatives and friends. Finally, a further 15 million overnight stays derive from those who resort to rest areas. Finally, to these already enormous figures must be added the 15 million tripsmade with the recreational vehicle during the day.
Per capita spending
An interesting chapter of the research concerns the expenditure made by the itinerant tourist. Here dwif divides the statistics according to the type of holiday. The crews who frequent the campsites spend an average of €47.10 per person per day, while those who make use of the rest areas spend €47.20. Given that these figures also include the cost of the structure, it is clear that those staying outside the campsite spend more on food and wine, tourist attractions and free time. Those who take day trips, i.e. without overnight stays, spend an average of €39.30 each. These figures are a further denial of the fact that the itinerant tourist does not benefit the local economy. To these values is added the fee of €19.60 per day per person for those who instead use permanent campsites.
By aggregating these data and calculating an overall average, 27.2% of daily expenditure goes to accommodation, 22.1% to restaurant services, 22.4% to the purchase of food, 15.1% in spending on other genres, 7% in leisure/entertainment/culture/sport facilities and 6.2% in other services.
Spending on travel and equipment
Another element that has been calculated by the German research is the value of the camping industry in the destination areas: for 2020 we are talking about a gross annual expenditure of €4.514 billion, half of which (50.7%) attributable to those who frequent campsites, 28.7% for those who stop in equipped areas or in free parking and 20.6% for permanent campers. A significant number is also related to travel expenses, which include fuel, any tolls, insurance, taxes, and vehicle depreciation. The total thus calculated amounts to €4.137 billion.
Still speaking of expenses incurred by users of recreational vehicles, those related to the purchase of camping equipment cannot be overlooked. Here we are talking about vehicles and their accessories, tents, tables, crockery and so on, for a total annual expenditure which in 2020 amounted to €5.420 billion, 85.6% attributable to the purchase of vehicles.
A sector worth over €14 billion
Therefore, every year the total gross sales attributable to tourists in the recreational vehicle sector exceed €14 billion, a figure which net of VAT (variable according to the type of product) stands at 12.382 billion. In short, a sector certainly not negligible, which in Germany is carefully photographed and analyzed to better understand its nature and developments.
Campsites and flood risk: Catalonia takes action with a decree-law and a tourism recovery fund