The 16th Croatian Camping Congress, which was held in Šibenik from November 8 to 10, formalized the excellent results recorded by the camping sector over the past year, with a 10% increase in admissions compared to the record year of 2019. The overnight stays reached almost 21.2 million, with an increase of 22% compared to the previous year. Camping tourism thus continues to confirm itself as one of the most successful segments in Croatia. Istria, Primorje-Gorski Kotar, and Zadar counties achieved the highest number of presences in accommodation facilities, and the largest percentage increase compared to 2019, 24% more overnight stays, was achieved by campsites in Lika and Senj County, which includes the northern part of the island of Pag and Lika.
How to maintain this positive trend in the coming years
The Congress, which brought together over 350 industry representatives, was an opportunity not only to illustrate these excellent results, but also to highlight what needs to be worked on to ensure that this positive trend continues. Geographical proximity to other tourist destinations, an attractive natural location and a series of investments over the past few years are undoubtedly the reasons why Croatia has become one of the most competitive camping destinations in the Mediterranean and, in terms of the quality of camps, is ranked at the second place in Europe. “However, the competition does not stop,” said the director of the Croatian Camping Union (KUH), Adriano Palman. “To maintain the current position we must continue to invest and increase the quality in camping, and above all follow the new trends in the context of sustainability and digitization“.
Meetings and Round Tables
During the Congress, organized by the KUH with the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Republic of Croatia, the Croatian Tourist Board, and the Šibenik Tourist Board, several crucial topics for camping tourism were addressed. High-profile speeches by sector experts provided data and information, trends and interesting insights on the aforementioned topics of sustainability and digitalization, the different careers that can be undertaken in this sector by young people, and more technical topics such as those related to the economics of pitches and non-reimbursable financing with an overview of new projects.
A focus on the Croatian market was conducted by Slavko Štefičar (Directorate for Sustainable Development and Competitiveness of Tourist Destinations – MINTS) on the “Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy of the Republic of Croatia”. There was no shortage of case histories, such as the example of Valamar: energy efficiency and sustainability in campsites thanks to innovative technologies and green business. Finally, Campmaster, Europe’s first international master course in this industry, was presented.
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