The Federal Association of the Camping Industry in Germany (BVCD) is celebrating the record figures of 2023: according to the Federal Statistical Office, Germany’s campsites recorded approximately 42.3 million overnight stayslast year. This significant result confirms the excellent state of the open-air sector in Germany, which has seen growth compared to both 2022 and the pre-Covid year of 2019. In percentage terms, overnight stays increased by 5.2% compared to 2022 (40.2 million) and by 18.2% compared to 2019 (35.8 million).
German campers’ favorite destinations are the North and Baltic Sea coasts, while foreigners most frequently book campsites in the Black Forest, along the Moselle or Saar rivers, and in the Eifel region. BVCD President Stefan Zierkeexpressed satisfaction with the record results of 2023, highlighting the great work done at the beginning of the season to improve and promote Germany’s tourism offer.
Challenges for the future certainly exist, but the BVCD president’s promise is to always stand by the industry entrepreneurs: “The crucial challenges,” he stated in a note, “are well known: the lack of qualified personnel, energy supply, digitalization, sustainability. It is always nice to see that many camping companies see challenges as opportunities and recognize their potential. As a federal association, we want to strengthen and closely accompany vision, environmental awareness, and creativity. I look forward to seeing what 2024 holds for the sector and campers.”
