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13 clusters · 31 sources · 90 days · First seen · Last updated

European outdoor tourism boom expands beyond glamping

Overview

The European outdoor tourism boom is widening beyond traditional glamping. France remains the sector’s engine, with the camping market worth €3 billion in early 2026 and projected at €4.7 billion in 2025. Domestic campers account for about 70% of stays; visitors from the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and the UK make up roughly 30%. The FNHPA forecasts 28 million campsite guests this summer, with 840,000 pitches – half bare – and a 9.4% rise in demand for basic sites in 2025.

In the Netherlands, the boom is manifesting through diverse consumer behaviors. Adult-only, child-free camps in provinces like Groningen, such as De Drie Provinciën and Leenstertillen, report full summer bookings driven by couples, singles, and grandparents seeking quietude. Additionally, some families are prioritizing significant monthly savings to fund annual luxury glamping trips to destinations like Mallorca.

Germany is also seeing a major shift, particularly in Bavaria. The Bavarian State Office for Statistics reports that overnight stays at campsites rose from approximately five million in 2015 to around 8.6 million in 2025, a growth of over 70%. This outpaces the 17% increase seen in other accommodation types. Experts from the German Institute for Tourism Research (dwif) attribute this to a desire for “freedom, flexibility, and individualization” alongside a need for nature and deceleration in a digital world. Modern Bavarian sites, such as those in Hopfensee, now provide hotel-standard amenities including wellness areas and indoor pools.

Other trends include a surge in active-travel “runcations” and the expansion of high-end retreats across Belgium, Italy, and the Dutch Achterhoek.

Entities

Brigitte Koninga · Jesse · Bavarian State Office for Statistics · Ronald Boels · Hopfensee

Timeline

  1. 6 days ago

    [CULTURE] 4 sources
    Bavaria experiences significant camping boom driven by luxury demand

    Camping in Bavaria has seen a 70 percent increase in overnight stays over the last decade, driven by a trend toward luxury amenities and a desire for nature and flexibility.

  2. 24 days ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Netherlands glamping boom driven by family savings and adult‑only camps

    Dutch family saves for luxury glamping holidays while adult‑only camps in Groningen see full bookings, reflecting a growing glamping trend in the Netherlands.

  3. about 1 month ago

    [CULTURE] 3 sources
    Germany sees rise of unconventional luxury camping sites

    Germany's camping scene expands with Bavarian five‑star glamping resorts and a historic churchyard campsite in Blüthen, reflecting a push for unique, upscale outdoor stays.

  4. about 1 month ago

    [CULTURE] 3 sources
    CamperDays sees surge in European ‘runcation’ tourism

    CamperDays notes a 5,000% jump in active‑tourism searches and a 20% rise in trail‑running interest, spotlighting European hotspots like Chamonix, the Dolomites and Madeira for new ‘runcation’ holidays.

  5. about 1 month ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Unique Village Hotel in France and Creative Camping Sites in the Netherlands

    A French village hotel offers boutique stays with wine, spa and varied rooms, while Dutch campsites provide quirky lodgings like yurts, treehouses and repurposed vehicles across ten locations.

  6. about 1 month ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Luxury Glamping Market Grows Globally as Italy Showcases Top Sites

    Glamping, the luxury camping market, is booming worldwide, with Italy leading in upscale, sustainable sites across lakes, mountains and coasts.

  7. about 2 months ago

    [CULTURE] 3 sources
    Glamping boom fuels luxury camping surge across Europe

    Google searches for glamping have spiked, prompting travelers to seek luxury camping sites across Europe, from Slovenia’s Bled to France’s Annecy, Croatia’s Rovinj and Denmark’s Ribe.

  8. about 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Landal opens glamping resort in Durbuy, Belgium; Nala Village launches Europe's largest retreat center in the Dutch Oost

    Landal opens a luxury glamping resort in Durbuy, Belgium, while Nala Village launches Europe’s biggest retreat centre in the Dutch Achterhoek, both catering to upscale nature‑based tourism.

  9. about 2 months ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    French Camping and Vanlife Trends Surge This Summer

    Around 9 million French plan camping trips this summer, boosting vanlife popularity and lifting sector revenue to €4.7 bn in 2025, while foreign tourists increasingly join.

  10. 2 months ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    France 3 documentary celebrates a century of French camping

    France 3 aired a documentary on the history of French camping, narrated by Karin Viard and Franck Dubosc, covering its aristocratic origins, post‑1936 holiday boom and modern luxury.

  11. 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    France's camping sector anticipates 28 million summer tourists

    France expects 28 million campers this summer, with stable bookings, varied pricing and rising demand for bare pitches, according to the FNHPA.

  12. 3 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    French camping industry expands with diverse sites and €3 billion turnover

    France's camping sector now spans over 10,000 sites, €3 bn revenue, with both luxury resorts and traditional camps attracting millions of tourists.

  13. 3 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    French campsites face consumer backlash over hidden fees

    French campsites saw bookings rise 10 % for summer 2026, but hidden fees—Wi‑Fi, cleaning, electricity, taxes—appear in 21 % of reviews, driving consumer complaints and budget overruns of up to 25 %.

Sources

aqha.com · architectuur.nl · arenapublica.com · augsburger-allgemeine.de · autojournal.fr · berliner-zeitung.de · cc-portes-auvergne.fr · derwesten.de · es.euronews.com · euroreizen.be · femina1912.fr · ffcc.fr · fr.euronews.com · harburg-aktuell.de · la-croix.com · Lalsace.fr · leblogtvnews.com · moin.de · news.roompot.nl · news38.de · ocio.diariodeibiza.es · pt.euronews.com · rbb-online.de · reis-liefde.nl · roosevelt.org.br · rtvnoord.nl · shots.media · suedkurier.de · thedatascientist.com · veraclasse.it · vosgesmatin.fr

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history