Yesterday we attended a press lunch at Operakällaren in Stockholm to hear the latest statistics, trends and the future of camping. There were representatives from SCR Svensk Camping, HRF (Husvagnsbranschens riksförbund) and Gekåsbyn Ullared.
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ShareCamping is big in Sweden
Lars Isacson, CEO of SCR Swedish Camping, and Tomas Haglund, Chairman of HRF, began by presenting some figures. What strikes you is how enormously large camping is in Sweden. Here are some impressive figures from 2015:
- 15.5 million guest nights in camping (+3.4 %)
- More than 3 million guest nights on campsites in Västra Götaland
- 43 % of all guest nights in Sweden are spent on campsites
Germans and French sleep differently
The biggest markets for motorhomes and caravans in Europe are Germany, France, the UK, Sweden and Switzerland. Many wishes are similar in these countries, but some things are different:
- The Germans want to have 'flatcars' (camper vans) and they want to sleep in single beds.
- The French want to sleep together in a queen-size bed
- Swedes want comfort and space, and demand is growing in the 40+ group.
Gekåsbyn - bigger than Stureplan?
Sara Ståhle from Gekåsbyn in Ullared presented the fascinating story of the man GeKå who started a small basement shop selling underwear and socks to impress a girl he liked. Today, as Sara put it, the little village can be more crowded than Stureplan ... Some fascinating figures from 2015:
- Visitors: 4.8 million
- Record number of visitors in one day: 28,900 customers
- Sales: 5.2 billion
- Record sales in one day: 37.3 million.
We've never actually been to Gekås or Ullared, have you? What do you think of the latest camping trends?
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Mr Steve says:
It's not just the "beautiful people" and the bigwigs who gather at the Opera Cellar these days.
It's no secret that French people are "hotter" than Germans.
27 April 2016 - 8:11
Christian Steen says:
One question - when SCR and HFR present figures - does it also apply to others such as stand-alone campsites and pitches?
27 April 2016 - 8:12
admin says:
Steve, a little fun with a caravan outside the Opera Cellar, right? 😉 And haha, that's probably how you think when it comes to Germans and French, a little nice to have your prejudices confirmed sometimes, haha 😉.
Christian Steen, the figures for guest nights apply only to campsites and not to pitches, I think, but I am almost certain that it applies to all campsites, i.e. whether they are affiliated to SCR or not.
27 April 2016 - 8:18
Solan says:
SCR is almost a dirty word when it comes to involvement in Swedish car parks. Security is their watchword and suddenly a pitch is up to 200:-. Let professional motorhome clubs have a say when it comes to opening new sites.
27 April 2016 - 8:43
nils-åke hansson says:
SCR Swedish Camping but other independent campsites. When abroad, no extra card is needed to stay one night. The SCR is an organisation that does not need to make money.
In Europe, regions and municipalities usually offer places in towns and villages. And you feel welcome. Not in Sweden.
Costs 6,55 Euro (and this is a nice place in the centre with a payment machine and barrier) and in Sweden it should cost Campingpris to stay one night 250kr.
Ullared I as a man can recommend this,
27 April 2016 - 8:57
snort says:
Actually have no idea! Haven't camped since a failed trip through Denmark a year ago. Then we gave up. But a motorhome seems cool!
Have a nice trip!
27 April 2016 - 9:09
Lina says:
Interesting! Also got the invitation but could not go yesterday! Camping has started to attract me as well so thinking about it this summer but in a cottage 😉 have a wonderful trip to Croatia!!!! Hugs
27 April 2016 - 9:11
admin says:
Solan, interesting! What a pitch can cost or not depends on what you get for your money, I think. Some sites have all possible services, while others are very simple... But it's good to have simple sites in some places so it doesn't always have to be expensive!
Nils-Åke, what is the extra card you need to stay one night? Interesting with this discussion about SCR and parking spaces, it is not something we really know... But interesting to take part of all the views and thoughts on this!
Znogge, motorhome is a nice and cosy way to travel around, with a lot of freedom! 🙂
Lina, what a pity that you could not come then! But we usually meet a little now and then anyway 😉 And thank you so much!
27 April 2016 - 9:12
Maggan and Ingemar says:
Ullared has received many visits from us, as we only have 10 kilometres there. We have visited both their caravan park and campsite. Then we are not so fond of camping, we do not want to pay for playgrounds and other activities. It was OK when we had children with us. The prices of the pitches in Sweden can also be discussed in comparison with the rest of Europe. Interesting information anyway.
27 April 2016 - 9:14
Goatfish says:
Having a caravan or motorhome means FREEDOM and you shouldn't have to pay a lot to a campsite host.
My husband and I did a lot of camping for many years, but we preferred the simpler options.
I am currently looking at the 5-star Kronocampingen opposite me in Lidköping. They have EVERYTHING, but you don't need that if you have a well-equipped RV. Here the prices are varying between 225 - 410 kr/night.
It's still interesting to follow the camping discussions.
Hugs ♥ Gerd
27 April 2016 - 9:29
Motorhome Helge says:
We have visited Ullared many times, especially when we lived in Varberg. Nowadays it is only a few times a year. Both the cottage in Sälen and Helge are equipped with many Ullared gadgets. Have not visited the campsite as we usually drive on the same day. Now they are also investing in fresh produce.
Regarding shelters, we find it fantastic that many municipalities in Europe have free places with emptying and sometimes even water, but Sweden's municipalities cannot set up with it, yes we have Ulricehamn which has free water and toilet emptying but not for the grey water, hey Ulricehamn.
27 April 2016 - 9:45
Åsa says:
A few sardines on that plate so...(;
27 April 2016 - 10:17
admin says:
Maggan and Ingemar, we understand exactly what you mean by not wanting to pay for playgrounds and activities, and neither do we. What we can like about camping is if there is nice nature, and services like washing machines and so on. During the European trip, we stayed relatively often at ACSI campsites, as the price for a campsite is usually 16 euros/day. Then it can feel like you get a lot for the price sometimes, we think! Understand that you go to Ullared sometimes when you are so close!
Geddfish, we also like simple campsites or pitches. You can be looking for different things at different times too... Glad you want to join the camping discussions! 🙂
Husbilen Helge, it sounds like a nice initiative by Ulricehamn! I can probably pay a little for a parking space if there is service, but of course you want it to be cheaper than a campsite!
Åsa, 😉
27 April 2016 - 10:25
BP says:
Like Steve's comment! Was going to say the same thing:-)
I have never been to Ullered but have heard and read a lot about it.
Glad that Sweden is at the top when it comes to camping:-)
27 April 2016 - 10:43
Ditte says:
I am not a camper at all, other than that we borrowed a converted volcano bus and drove runy in the US for a couple of months, at a younger age backpacked / rented a car in the western US and in Hawaii and then had a small dome tent where we slept every other night. We have also rented a campervan in N.Z. and it was very practical and nice.
I have never visited GEKÅS and I don't know what I would buy there.
But maybe there will be a study visit at some point, but on the other hand I'm hesitant because I have more desire for other trips.
It's great to hear about upcoming trends and I can understand why motorhomes are on the rise.
27 April 2016 - 10:47
nils-åke hansson says:
Now it is not pitches but campsites that sometimes call themselves pitches such as Ullared 220 kr and if you do not have SCR it costs a 150 kr to admittedly one-time fee, therefore we are in Caravan Clubb and then SCR is included in that card. CC campsites are good and cheap.
27 April 2016 - 11:04
admin says:
BP, same for us when it comes to Ullared. I probably have no desire to go there really, at the same time it might be a little interesting to experience that place once! 🙂
Ditte, you have made lots of exciting camping trips in your life! 🙂 I probably look at Ullared much like you, no great desire but it could be interesting to get there once! 🙂
Nils-Åke, thank you, I understand what you mean! And if I understand the whole discussion here correctly, it's about SCR and some other actors wanting to make the car parks with so much service etc that they become too expensive. We can agree that it is often welcome to have fairly simple sites that do not cost too much.
27 April 2016 - 11:13
Role o Carina says:
Motorhomes are only getting more and more in number 🙂 .
We have never been to Ullared!
Fricamping is probably our favourite thing of all 🙂 .
Take care.........
27 April 2016 - 11:54
Annika Majak says:
Such interesting information 🙂
Ps: thank you very much for your email, that you took the time to point it out. There was some blocking that was deactivated but now commenting should work 🙂 .
27 April 2016 - 13:46
Lanclin says:
We are so curious about such "ploughmen"! Do you know what to search for if you want to find a rental company in southern Sweden? What is it really called, campervan?
27 April 2016 - 14:17
Ama de casa says:
Camping is probably over for me. Apart from hotel camping and then I can very well imagine renting a cabin. But tents feel over now. Sad, because I really like camping, a great freedom 🙂.
I have never been to Ullared... But it is my dream destination. For real! I thought about going there when I turned 50, but it was Costa Rica instead. Now I have to aim for my 60th birthday. It should probably be something really special for me to get Anders there... And maybe they even have the "little train" there? WOW!!!
😀
Strange that I have a longing for Ullared really. Do not like to shop at all. But I am interested in the "phenomenon" Ullared 🙂 .
27 April 2016 - 14:19
Anki says:
Ullared - nope. we have never been there and we will not go there either 🙂 .
27 April 2016 - 14:29
admin says:
Rolle and Carina, yes, motorhomes always increase! And it is not so difficult to understand 🙂 .
Annika Majak, ok, good that it was helpful and good that it was resolved!
Lanclin, that's a good question what they are called! I don't know exactly what to search for but "motorhome hire" or something similar. If you're at a motorhome rental company, it's probably possible that these little ones are just called "van". Glad you're thinking about renting one! We are also a bit fond of these smaller cars and will actually try one in Croatia in May!
Ama de casa, haha, Ullared or Costa Rica... Seriously, although I would love to visit Ullared, I would rather go to Costa Rica! 🙂 And yes, the Ullared phenomenon is a bit interesting? I also found it fascinating that you can go there with the Pink Buses, which I saw when I was at the Wilderness Fair! 😉
Anki, maybe it's lucky that not everyone goes there, because it seems to be quite full anyway 😉.
27 April 2016 - 15:36
Lena & Jan says:
VERY INTERESTING STATISTICS. We do not like Ullared, but it would not be wrong with a parking space for motorhomes in the vicinity of Operakällaren for a maximum of 24 hours, perhaps!
27 April 2016 - 16:02
Across the board says:
We have started thinking about exchanging the car for a flatbed and having our "big car" left - then we probably get the best of rea worlds. Small and flexible when we go to the Alps etc. and large and spacious when we winter in Portugal 🙂.
You have to try Ullared sometime - it's an experience 😀.
27 April 2016 - 16:29
Imelda says:
Statistics are interesting! So do people, you pay as much as you like for a motorhome but when it comes to a pitch, it should preferably be free. Ullared ?Ulricehamn ?but I like when there is WiFi, showers, close to the city etc. and gladly pay a penny for it. Especially abroad! Bremen and Schleswig are favourites that have everything and cost little but not the shirt?
Soon time for Istria/Croatia? Hope you get to go to Hum, the world's smallest city with delicious food in the old-fashioned way. We were there many years ago.
27 April 2016 - 16:42
Mr W says:
It's a pity that pitches are becoming more and more like campsites. It destroys the idea of the pitches. Empty, fill water, stay overnight and go. Should not cost a lot of money. If you want service, go to the campsite and pay, do not destroy and increase the cost of the pitches.
//Mr.W
27 April 2016 - 16:50
Matts Torebring says:
What fun to read about the French and qweensbed. We completely agree with them, there is no better way to sleep in a motorhome. I myself have a small dream, to one day have a WW California as a private car during autumn, winter and spring. Then when summer comes, I want to take it to the Alps, serpentine roads in Croatia and travel in the Pyrenees. However, it stings and hurts so much, knowing that it costs almost 700 thousand SEK....
27 April 2016 - 18:51
admin says:
Lena & Jan, what a great idea with a parking spot at Operakällaren! 🙂
Criss-cross, interesting idea to have both a large motorhome and a flatbed! And yes, we might have to try Ullared at some point 😉.
Imelda, yes, this is an interesting discussion that we have also talked about a lot! For our part, we probably like to alternate between simpler cheaper places and more expensive places with more service. In general, we think that caravan sites should be cheaper than a campsite, but of course it is also in relation to the service offered. I'm happy to pay for the service from time to time, but I'm happy if there are simpler places to stay at from time to time as well.
Mr W, yes we understand what you mean! Recently, we have mostly stood on pitches abroad so we hardly know how it is in Sweden, but of course you want a pitch to be something other than a campsite!
Matts, I picture googled to see what kind of car you meant and it looks charming and practical! But no, small cars are not always as cheap as you think they could be 😉.
27 April 2016 - 19:32
Matts Torebring says:
I wrote a post, but it didn't come in. Wrote another one but that didn't make it either. If they exist, throw away the first one.
27 April 2016 - 19:54
admin says:
Matts, the comments ended up in the trash. I have no idea why, but I usually check there from time to time.
27 April 2016 - 20:38
Ingrid says:
Pössl is the name of our barge and you can rent it from Åf in Pukavik in Blekinge. It is very expensive to rent. We love our Pössl that we can also get into the city centre in cities with, it is difficult with a regular motorhome. You don't shine either as most of the pitches are not white. If I had owned a campsite in Sweden, I would have tried to make it so that you buy the services you want at a campsite, just like the airline. Then you get a card with access to what you bought, to get in. We like campsites but we do not use electricity or kitchen, laundry, playground in the summer so it should cost 180-200kr/night. We rarely go in the summer only the winter in Sweden.
27 April 2016 - 22:58