Why your next camping holiday may be 20 percent more expensive

Significant increases in camping prices are inevitable, according to the international survey conducted by JetCamp.com, one of Europe's leading camping booking platforms. More than 100 European campsite owners and managers from 15 countries shared their concerns, plans and insights in the survey. The goal of the survey, which was conducted last week, is to help holidaymakers plan their trips and campsite owners make business decisions in the current volatile economic climate.

90% of the respondents have already decided to raise their rates for the coming year. 70% plan to raise prices by between 1 and 20%, of which almost half will raise prices by between 6 and 10 percent. A further 13% of respondents indicate that they use dynamic pricing, so price in- or decreases will be dictated by further cost increases.

During an industry event at Papillon Country Resort (NL) last week Hans van Leeuwen, leisure consultant at Pleisureworld, advised the audience to increase 2023 prices by 20%. Not only because of the energy issue but also because of inflation correction, CBS Indexation and the coming wage explosions in cleaning, security, etc.

The survey confirms the opinion of van Leeuwen - the 3 main factors cited in the responses for price increases are gas and electricity prices (81%), the cost of external services (31%) and labour costs (28%). In addition, 11% of campsites indicated that they are also increasing prices due to the particularly high occupancy this season. The overall increase in cost leads campsites to reduce or abandon the following plans: pre-planned expansion (27%), energy-intensive services (27%), pre-planned maintenance (10%) and staffing levels (6%). Respondents were also asked questions about shortening the season or delaying the publication of 2023 pricing. 14% of respondents indicate waiting for the publication of their 2023 prices and 19% plan to shorten the season by between 2 and 12 weeks.

The good news is that 80% of campsite owners are planning to take action to minimise price increases. A good example of such an initiative is illustrated by Aurélie from Camping Les Lavandes Valensole in Valensole (FR), "We have a connected shower system to limit water consumption on the campsite". The following measures were mentioned most often: asking guests to save energy, for example by limiting their time in the showers (33%), installing solar panels (32%) and installing smart thermostats and/or smart electricity meters (13%). According to JetCamp CEO, Erwin Hoevenaar, “this is a welcome and long-awaited initiative that will contribute to the sustainability and environmental friendliness of this part of the travel sector”.

Campsite owners are looking for ways not only to reduce their own costs but also those of their customers, using a variety of clever tips. For example, Arnold Peters, owner of Camping Rutjensland says, "Our campsite uses propane gas, which is less dependent on price fluctuations. This would be a cheaper solution than natural gas for more people in the outlying area. I advise our campervan customers to use infrared panels. That is cheaper and more targeted heat".