The camping sector continues to thrive, with 2024 marking a year of impressive growth across key metrics. Despite broader economic challenges stemming from the Ukraine conflict and turbulence in the automotive industry, the camping tourism segment has demonstrated remarkable resilience and appeal.
According to PiNCAMP, the camping arm of ADAC, ANWB, and TCS, bookings on its platform surged by 28%compared to 2023, underscoring the sustained interest in camping as a travel choice. With a combined 14 million visitors across its platforms, PiNCAMP and anwbcamping.nl, the company has solidified its position as one of Europe’s largest camping portals.
In Germany, the number of overnight stays at campsites rose by 4% year-over-year during the peak summer months of July and August, setting a new record. Meanwhile, motorhome registrations saw a robust 11% increase by October, further highlighting the sector’s expansion. France remains the top destination for bookings through PiNCAMP, followed by Croatia, Italy, and Germany. The strongest growth was observed in Austria, with Switzerland, the Netherlands, Italy, and Germany also seeing notable increases.
Positive outlook for 2025
Looking ahead, PiNCAMP CEO Uwe Frers is optimistic about the coming year. “The interest in camping is unbroken,” Frers said, citing strong early booking trends for 2025. Insights from the “Focus Caravaning” study, supported by PiNCAMP, suggest that while campers are planning shorter trips, the frequency of camping vacations is set to increase, potentially boosting total overnight stays at campsites.
In January 2024, ADAC, ANWB, and TCS consolidated their camping operations under the PiNCAMP joint venture to accelerate international growth. A significant milestone was reached in May with the acquisition of the anwbcamping.nl platform in the Netherlands. By the end of 2024, PiNCAMP will launch three additional language-specific portals – Italian, French, and English – complementing its existing offerings in Switzerland. “With the launch of three more country portals, we are now offering campers in the most important camping nations in Europe access to the best holiday destinations,” Frers stated. “At the same time, we are significantly increasing the visibility of PiNCAMP’s campsite partners”.
Digital innovation: new camping apps
PiNCAMP is also gearing up for the launch of new mobile apps to enhance the user experience. The ANWB Camping App will debut in the Netherlands in early 2025, followed by the https://www.anwbcamping.nl in Germany later in the year. Designed for seamless mobile use, these apps will provide access to high-quality camping information and online booking options, making camping more accessible than ever.
With strong growth in 2024 and promising trends for 2025, the camping industry is poised for another successful year. PiNCAMP’s expanding reach, combined with innovative digital tools, positions it as a key driver in Europe’s thriving camping sector. “2024 was a successful year for camping,” Frers concludes. “We would like to thank our partners from the camping industry throughout Europe for the dialogue at eye level, the many suggestions and the great cooperation. We wish our partners a successful 2025 season”.
Camping.info – According to 173,000 campers, the best campsite in Europe is German