German destinations should focus on caravanning, says CIVD

The strong level and future potential of the caravanning market means that more German tourist destinations should focus on catering for those kinds of tourists, according to the country’s Caravanning Industry Association (Caravaning Industrie Verband – CIVD). Caravan and motorhome users generated around €15 billion for German tourist regions in the last year, which has led to CIVD calling for more cooperation in the development of infrastructure and services for this segment in Germany on the occasion of German Tourism Day. Caravanning and camping are often misjudged development drivers in German tourism. With 9.3 million overnight stays, caravanning and camping in August 2022 were 14.7 per cent higher than in August 2019, showing that mobile vacations are an increasingly important building block for the future of Germany as a tourism location.

CIVD vice president Dr. Holger Siebert said: “The enormous challenges such as Corona, climate change and the war in Ukraine have brought our own country back into the focus of travelers. There is great potential for sustainable development and value creation through tourism. In order to exploit this potential in a prudent and sustainable manner, the various levels must work together more closely. The federal government, the states, the municipalities, and the destinations should find a common path to this end, which we are happy to support actively with our know-how. That is our appeal for the German Tourism Day.”

The caravanning industry has experienced steady growth in recent years, and the number of leisure vehicles on the road is at a record high. At the same time, tourist capacities have not grown at the same rate as vehicle inventories. Alternative locations, away from the popular destinations on the coast or in the mountains, have thus come into focus. Rural regions or regions that have been less developed in terms of tourism have the opportunity to participate in the caravanning boom.

Dr Siebert added: “With modern motor caravan sites, municipalities in particular can drive and shape sustainable tourism development on their own responsibility - and with easily plannable investment costs and very little space. A win-win situation for everyone involved.”

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