2025.05.09-11
Shougang Convention & Exhibition Center,Beijing,China
Successful dialogue between ADAC, Caravaning Industrie Verband and political decision-makers in Berlin
On March 21st, the ADAC and the CIVD invited members of German parliament to discuss the potential leisure-vehicle tourism offers. The political representatives were impressed by the industry’s economic key figures and the trend towards leisure-vehicle tourism in Germany. This type of holiday has been on an unprecedented upswing in this decade. In 2018, registrations of new leisure vehicles reached a new high. By now, over three million Germans of all age groups and social classes travel with a leisure vehicle. In total, leisure-vehicle manufacturers registered sales amounting to more than 11 billion euros in 2018.
Leisure-vehicle tourism generates billions in revenues for German economy
A lot of leisure-vehicle travelers chose national destinations for their holidays. This results in an annual revenue of 12.6 billion euros for the domestic economy. Branches like the catering and hospitality industry, the retail industry, leisure and cultural facilities and even gas stations are the main beneficiaries. Camping and caravanning tourism has, thus, become a substantial factor for tourism in Germany. Around 180,000 jobs depend on it. Since camping sites and motor caravan pitches are usually placed in the countryside, rural and economically underdeveloped areas profit from this kind of tourism in particular.
Infrastructural expansion is required and welcomed by MPs
At the moment, there are 3,000 campsites and 3,600 motor caravan pitches. Even though the number especially of pitches has increased in the past twenty years, the huge popularity of leisure-vehicle tourism leads to a lack of capacities during high-season. The CIVD calls for a funding and promoting to support expansions and new constructions of pitches. Political representatives for tourism stayed open minded towards this demand.
Meet challenges and unlock potential — successful dialogue will continue
The unique thing about this type of holiday is the closeness to the countryside, the conscious decision to slow down and the possibility of having a self-determined holiday. The driving license regulations and the long approval time for new constructions of motor caravan pitches become increasing obstacles. The constructive exchange between representatives of both the industry and politics resulted in the mutual aim to meet the presented challenges and improve overall conditions and the political framework for camping and leisure-vehicle tourism. “Our discussion was very beneficial, which is why we will continue the dialogue in the coming months,” summarizes CIVD-president Hermann Pfaff pleased after the gathering. The industries’ expectations are clear: “Leisure-vehicle tourism is an economic driving force securing many jobs, especially those in structurally weak and rural areas. Today’s successful dialogue should motivate political decision-makers to unlock the full potential of caravanning tourism,” says Hermann Pfaff in conclusion.
(Source: www.civd.de)