Germany's Struggling Camping Industry: A Dip in Overnight Stays After a Record-Breaking Year
Tourism in Germany showing signs of decline following a record-breaking year
It looks like Germany's camping sites are experiencing a downturn, as the number of overnight stays dropped significantly in the first quarter of 2025. Domestic and foreign travelers are staying away, with a decrease of 4.4% and 2.6% respectively, compared to the previous year. One reason for this is the later Easter holidays.
According to the Federal Statistical Office, the decrease was particularly stark in March, with a 7.7% drop in overnight stays. "The decline in March is likely due to the later Easter holidays, which were mostly in March of 2024 and almost entirely in April of 2025," the statisticians explained.
The German Tourism Association (DTV) remains hopeful, with CEO Norbert Kunz predicting a successful year for the tourism industry. However, they emphasize that record-breaking numbers aren't the only indicator of sustainable growth. Kunz stressed the need for an "intact tourist infrastructure, a significantly better municipal financial situation, and a national recruitment offensive for new foreign workers."
Regarding other types of accommodations, only health and rehabilitation facilities and training centers reported a slight increase of 2.4% in March. Camping sites, holiday apartments, and houses, particularly popular for family vacations, saw the biggest drops. Camping sites suffered a 41.8% decrease in overnight stays, while holiday apartments and houses witnessed a 18.1% drop. The number of overnight stays in hotels, inns, and pensions also decreased, but not as drastically.
Now, let's dive deeper into why the camping industry is facing this slump. It seems a combination of adverse weather conditions and economic factors are influencing traveler behavior. Recent analyses suggest that a rainy spring in 2024 led to a lower number of overnight stays at campsites, affecting visits even in early 2025 as campers prefer drier, milder conditions.
Additionally, rising inflation and camping costs are affecting holiday choices, as prices in Germany average €28.86 per night, a 4.75% increase compared to 2024. With inflation impacting disposable income, around 42% of German holidaymakers are adjusting their holidays to more affordable options, possibly causing short-term dips like March as travelers postpone or seek cheaper alternatives.
Seasonal travel patterns and geopolitical factors also play a role, with campers traditionally booking trips closer to peak seasons and early spring (March) seeing fewer bookings.
Despite the March slump, the overall camping market in Germany remains strong, having reached record highs in 2024 with a 1.4% increase from the previous year and a doubling over two decades. So, while the industry may face short-term challenges, the long-term trend for camping in Germany remains positive.
- In the face of economic factors such as rising inflation and increased camping costs, coupled with adverse weather conditions, many German holidaymakers are adjusting their lifestyle choices to prioritize more affordable options, potentially influencing the vocational training and recruitment needs within the tourism industry.
- To foster continued growth and sustainable development within the tourism industry, it's crucial for the community policy to focus on improving the tourist infrastructure, addressing the financial problems of municipalities, and implementing a national recruitment initiative for foreign workers, in addition to offering attractive vocational training programs to equip the workforce with the necessary skills for the evolving tourism landscape, particularly in light of changing travel patterns and geopolitical factors influencing the camping industry.
