Campervan tourism, a little-known business

The camper doesn’t seem to be in crisis. Camping Car Park has set up its “Motorhome Tourism Barometer during the after-season.” This barometer highlights the intentions of 500,000 campers for the autumn 2020 holidays. By analysing destinations from October to December, the number of nights planned, the criteria for tourism choices, preferences and the forecast budget, the network indicates an attractive economic opportunity. Indeed, the economic stakes are high, representing 147 million euros.

Motorhome tourism is not in crisis

Camping-Car Park is the first leading European network of stage areas for motorhome tourism. The network has more than 200 areas in Europe. Unlike campsites, the areas are exclusively reserved for campervans. Thus the network welcomes campers as close as possible to the interests. In his barometer showing the intentions of campers for the autumn 2020 holidays, he gives a rather positive assessment for the sector. For its part, the ideally located areas have already been visited by almost half of the 500,000 recreational vehicles registered in France. With a 3.1% increase in new registrations in 2019, the success of Camping-Car continues (1).

Thanks to the constant growth since its creation, the network also contributes to the dynamic development of the territories. Thus, it announces the imminent opening of dozens of areas in 2020. The autumn holidays look promising with a forecast of 3 million overnight stays between October and December 2020.

In a context still marked by the health crisis, campers still want to use the autumn to get back on the road. Among the list of most popular destinations for motorhome tourism, Brittany holds the top spot and is expected to welcome 17.6% of motorhomes, or about 527,000 nights. Following this, New Aquitaine remains true to its second place and should benefit from about 518,000 nights. Within the region, campers mainly head to Charente-Maritime (21%), the Landes (16%) and the Pyrenees-Atlantic (14%). The economic impact on the region has a positive figure of 25.4 million euros (1).

The promising results of motorhome tourism could, in particular, help to revive and re-energize local players. The latter were heavily impacted by the crisis during the summer season. Indeed, a couple of campers spends on average 49 euros per day. This daily budget represents 40 euros for local economic actors and only 9 euros for accommodation (1).

camping car fields lavender tourism
Motorhome tourism is doing well and campers seem to prefer stays to reconnect with nature

Motorhome tourism a tourist alternative against COVID-19

Thus, despite the situation, the campers intend to continue to travel the territory by favouring certain areas. Among the criteria for choosing tourism in motorhomes, there seems to be a quest for meaning and authenticity. They seem to want to reconnect with nature and with French heritage. The COVID-19 epidemic and containment have reinforced this trend. In fact, 83% prefer walks along the water’s edge, 81% prefer visiting villages and 75% prefer hiking trips (1).

For regions and economic actors, this willingness to travel is good news. It also represents hope for catching up with the damage associated with COVID-19. Indeed, for campers, the virus is not a hindrance to leaving. Only a fifth thinks otherwise. In addition, containment patterns have had an impact on behaviour. Maintaining barrier gestures and physical distance remains a priority. Thus, travellers prefer individual modes of transport. Therefore, motorhomes, unlike the means of transport such as trains, buses, or planes, remain one of the safest modes of transport and also accommodation.

Thus, the main players in motorhome tourism are often retirees. Although they usually seek to leave safely, in peaceful places, this year the COVID-19 do not seem to stop them. The starting intentions for the fall holidays indicates a strong willingness to enjoy the back season. The aim is also to support hard-hit local actors. By leaving this autumn, especially in October outside of the All Saints’ holiday, he enjoys the after-season while supporting the local economy

Sources

(1)“In 2019, the motorhome market is progressing and vans are flying away”,The world of motorhomes, Article of September 25, 2019.
(2) “Motorhome Tourism Barometer: October-December 2020,” Camping-Car Park, Press Release of October 15, 2020

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