# German caravanning and camping industry trends

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/20261026-german-caravanning-and-camping-industry-trends
> Updated: 2026-11-02T09:19:38.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 3.

The German caravanning and camping sectors are experiencing divergent trends. While the broader camping industry is seeing a significant shift toward winter travel, with bookings for stays between November and February increasing by 73 percent since 2023, the vehicle market itself is facing a downturn.

Data from the Caravaning Industrie Verband (CIVD) indicates that new registrations for motorhomes fell by 7.2 percent and caravan registrations dropped by 4.8 percent during the first nine months of 2026. The decline in motorhome registrations was particularly sharp in the third quarter, decreasing by 22.2 percent compared to the previous year. In September 2026 alone, caravan registrations in Germany fell by 18.3 percent, while camper registrations saw a decline of 30.8 percent. Experts attribute this to an oversupply of vehicles caused by manufacturers overestimating demand, leading to costly unsold stock. This surplus is especially problematic for units unsold for more than 24 months, which often require heavy discounts and expensive maintenance to clear.

To accommodate the rising demand for winter camping, sites in regions like Saxony are expanding seasonal services, such as heated facilities, sauna access, and proximity to cross-country skiing trails. Additionally, manufacturers are introducing specialized equipment, such as the Air Top Pro 25 air heater by Webasto, to support year-round outdoor travel.

## Timeline

### 2026-11-02: Caravan and camper markets diverge in Germany and the Netherlands

While the German caravan and camper market is shrinking, the Dutch market shows growth in new caravan sales despite falling prices for used recreational vehicles.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/caravan-and-camper-markets-diverge-in-germany-and-the-netherlands

### 2026-10-26: German caravanning market faces decline in motorhome and caravan registrations

Germany's caravanning market is struggling, with motorhome registrations dropping 7.2% and caravans 4.8% in the first nine months of 2026 due to oversupply and high capital requirements.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/german-caravanning-market-faces-decline-in-motorhome-and-caravan-registrations

### 2026-10-25: Winter camping demand rises in Germany

Winter camping bookings in Germany have risen by 73 percent since 2023, driving demand for specialized heating equipment and enhanced campsite amenities like saunas and heated facilities.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/winter-camping-demand-rises-in-germany

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Cite as: German caravanning and camping industry trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/20261026-german-caravanning-and-camping-industry-trends