Holidays, tourism with campers or tenting is rising in EU nations | EUROtoday

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On the one hand the sense of journey, on the opposite that of freedom. Camping or camper holidays are widespread. And, as Eurostat factors out, that is demonstrated by the numbers referring to nights spent in 2025 in campsites, leisure automobile (RV) parks and caravan parks which have reached 413 million within the EU.

«While tenting and caravanning accounted for less than 13.4% of all vacationer lodging nights in 2025, their recognition has steadily elevated over the previous decade – writes Eurostat -. Compared to 2015, nights spent in these out of doors areas elevated by 28.5%, whereas nights spent in inns, holidays or different short-stay lodging elevated by 23.4%.”

In 2025, 67.0% (277 million nights) of all nights spent in these accommodations were concentrated in the summer months, between June and August. Growth begins to occur in March and then declines in September and reaches a minimum in December.

The gold medal goes to France, where 154 million nights were spent in campsites and caravan parks, equivalent to 37.2% of the nights spent in these accommodations across the EU. Significant numbers were also recorded in Spain (49.8 million). Italy with 49.1 million is in third place, followed by Germany with 45.0 million. The number of overnight stays in the remaining 10 EU countries ranged between 26.8 million in the Netherlands and 7.1 million in Portugal.

The Italian case

«The data is also reflected among our members, as requests for rental and purchase of campers have increased in recent years – underlines Ester Bordino, president of Assocamp, the reference association of retailers, maintainers and renters of recreational vehicles (campers and caravans) as well as retailers of equipment for outdoor tourism -. Those who choose this way of traveling seek more autonomy and greater contact with nature and the authenticity of the places.”