After a record year 2022, the 2023 season for French campsites “seems to be taking the same path” with a 21% increase in bookings in one year, starting April 1, according to the national federation of air hotels. free (FNHPA).
In 2022, 136 million overnight stays were registered and “even more spectacular developments” are expected in 2023, FNHPA president Nicolas Dayot said during a press conference on Tuesday.
The price ratio, the main criterion for vacationers
In 2022, according to Nicolas Dayot, campsites had increased their prices by 5-6% on average “to keep up with inflation”. Although the “level of assistance is high (…) we cannot afford to increase prices significantly because we have families that have a restricted budget,” explained the president of the FNHPA.
Of the 63 million overnight stays already reserved this year in the 7,000 French campsites, 21 million correspond to free pitches (+30%) and 42 million to equipped pitches, that is, with mobile homes or bungalows (+17%).
The value for money continues to be the main criterion for choosing a campsite, according to an Ifop study carried out for the FNHPA. The other criteria are proximity to nature and friendliness. 97% of those surveyed agree that the diversity of campsites allows them to find an offer adapted to their budget.
The Dutch at the rendezvous
In the reservations for 2023, foreign clients represent 22 million overnight stays (+33%) led by the Netherlands (7.3 million overnight stays), Germany (5.7 million), Belgium (3.2 million), the United Kingdom ( 2.3 million) and Switzerland (1.4 million).
Like all tourism sectors, the outdoor hospitality industry is facing a shortage of jobs. The FNHPA has launched a “my camping career” website listing 40,000 offers.
Source: BFM TV
