From the most recent figures from the European umbrella organization of caravan and motorhome manufacturers (ECF), the Dutch branch organization Kampeer en Caravan Industrie (KCI) concludes that the number of caravans and motorhomes in Europe has increased by 5 percent - or 21 million - in the past 1,1 years. piece has increased.
Especially since the outbreak of the corona pandemic, many Europeans have (re)discovered camping as an ideal holiday.
At the end of 2022, more than 6,3 million caravans and motorhomes were registered in Europe, compared to 5,2 million 5 years earlier. At the time, almost two thirds of all camping equipment was a caravan, but the rise of the camper is nothing short of impressive. There are now 2,8 million motorhomes in Europe, which is half more than in 2017. As a result, the ratio between caravans and motorhomes is now 56 versus 44 percent. In the last 5 years the caravan park has grown by just over 5 percent and it seems only a matter of time before motorhomes outnumber them. In the Netherlands it is still a long way off, although the camper is also on the rise here: in 2017 there were 105.000 and at the end of 2022 almost 180.000. However, there are still 424.000 caravans. Last year, the KCI therefore counted more than 600.000 caravans and campers in our country for the first time. After Germany with almost 1,6 million units, France (1,15 million) and Great Britain (835.000), motorhome and caravan ownership in the Netherlands is the highest in Europe.
Campsites fully booked
Chairman Leo Diepemaat of the KCI can explain the strong European growth: “Camping enables everyone to enjoy a holiday completely free and in their own bubble. You don't have to go to a busy airport and on a full plane, but you choose your own way, your own schedule and you are extremely flexible. That was of course a godsend, especially in corona times. Almost everyone who has camped once does not want to do anything else, especially with children. And that does not only apply to the Dutch, but to all Europeans. Many campsites at home and abroad are fully booked well in advance, so I advise everyone to book in time if you want to go to a specific place. Traveling on spec could lead to disappointment, especially in high season.” Figures from Statistics Netherlands show that Dutch campers booked a record number of 2021 overnight stays in the summers of both 2022 and 25. In the 2020 corona year, there were 17. In addition, holiday expenditure rose to 566 euros per camper last summer, more than twice as much as in 2020 and more than a quarter more than 5 years earlier.
Deliveries resumed
According to Diepemaat, his sector has faced considerable challenges in recent years: “There was a lot of demand for our products in Europe and even worldwide, but deliveries stalled due to shortages of computer chips, the war in Ukraine and disrupted logistics processes. With 2021 caravans and motorhomes delivered, 260.000 was an absolute European record year and last year registrations fell by more than 40.000 units. Nevertheless , it was a top year from a historical perspective . Now we see that deliveries have started well again at most manufacturers and are at pre-corona levels. Dealers and importers can therefore meet demand again and can now deliver a new caravan, camper van or folding trailer fairly quickly or even from stock.”
More information: www.kampeerencaravan.nl/contact (KCI)
Or come to the www.kampeerencaravanjaarbeurs.nl (4 to 8 October)