Camperguru – a platform from Czech Republic offering a selection of the best campsites in 37 countries – has published an intriguing 2023 Report on the camping sector. The study analyzes a wide variety of data to provide a comprehensive view of the outdoor vacation industry, including favorite destinations, average stay durations, average prices per night, and the most requested additional services. This in-depth look from the Czech point of view aims to understand and anticipate the evolving tastes of travelers and the growth trends in European camping.
Top camping destinations
Analyzing booking data, Camperguru identified the top European camping destinations, i.e., the most popular countries among campers, especially Czechs. Leading the ranking is a trio of countries with very close shares: the Czech Republic takes first place with 16%, followed by Greece (15%) and Croatia (14%). The top 10 also includes Slovenia (11%), Slovakia (9%), Switzerland (7%), Poland (5%), Austria (4%), and both Italy and Portugal, each with 3%.
It is also interesting to look at the nationality of campers: the Czechs top the list (29%), followed by Germans (12%), and the British (11%) in third place. The most popular type of camping remains traditional camping, with an average price of €24 per day, followed by camper areas, with an average price of €16 per day.
According to the study, the average length of stay at a campsite is 5.6 nights. Most travelers stay for 2 or 3 nights (38%), while 21% stay for a week or more. A single overnight stay is chosen by 23% of campers, while the lowest share is for those staying 4 to 6 nights (19%).
Based on monthly booking request data, Camperguru also analyzed the annual flow of the camping industry, highlighting that the months with the highest demand (and consequently the highest occupancy rates) are July, August, June, and April. The months with the worst performances are December, November, and October.
The “typical” camper and their expectations
Who goes camping? And what do they expect from an outdoor vacation? Camperguru’s analysis reveals a great diversity among campsite users. The largest share is middle-aged couples (30%), while single parents make up just 4%. In between are other types of campers: families with older children (19%), elderly couples (16%), young couples (15%), families with young children (10%), and solo travelers (9%).
The report also shows that 41% of campers do not require any extra services for their stay, while 29% request additional services related to electrical power, being part of a large group (22%), and seeking pet-friendly options (10%).
Relaxing on the beach, sports, culture, and gastronomy are the experiences campers want to enjoy during their outdoor stay. The desire is for a vacation in contact with nature but also active, with the possibility of engaging in sports and cultural excursions. Wellness and good food experiences, family fun, and enjoying time with pets are also important.
Finally, a look at the apps and digital booking platforms preferred by campers. According to Camperguru, the most used are: Park4night (14%), ACSI and Camping-Car Park (both 9%), Campernight and Campercontact (both 8%), StayFree (7%), Bezkempu, Camperland, and Home Camper (all 6%), and Campspace (5%). The latter three, specialising in micro-camping, have recently become a single entity.
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