The growth in Swedish camping continues and this year we see record figures for motorhomes. Yesterday, Peter attended a press lunch at Operakällaren, which was organised by SCR Svensk Camping and Husvagnsbranschens riksförbund (HRF). Today we share the latest news from the camping industry. In addition, Peter took the opportunity to ask some tough questions to the industry ...!
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ShareContinued growth in the camping sector
When SCR presented its annual statistics on Swedish camping yesterday, it was a continued upward trend. The number of guest nights at Swedish campsites continued to increase in 2016 to 15.6 million overnight stays. During the summer months, camping accommodation accounted for 43 per cent of all commercial overnight stays in Sweden.
Every second summer visitor from Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands and Germany chose to stay at a campsite. Västra Götaland County had the highest number of guest nights, and the form of accommodation that increased the most was a motorhome, with an increase of 14 per cent.
Motorhomes continue to grow
HRF reported a continued increase in recreational vehicles in Sweden. The number of newly registered motorhomes has increased by 32 per cent and today there are 85 477 motorhomes. At the same time, the number of newly registered caravans has increased by 10 per cent, which means we have 287,135 caravans in Sweden.
According to HRF, comfort and design are important factors in today's recreational vehicles, and the environment is also in focus. It also says it is seeing a new group taking an interest in motorhomes: active families who use motorhomes for their hobbies.
Our questions to SCR and HRF
So what questions did we have for the industry? Since there is a lot of evidence in favour of new investments, especially in the form of pool areas and playgrounds, we wondered what they think about the motorhomers that not want to pay for these extra activity facilities. We also wondered if there are any proper surveys of the next generation. Do you really know what they want?
We had hoped to give you some straightforward answers here, but we have to admit that the answers we received were rather vague. To the first question, they answered that they "have contact with the car parks in the municipalities and are working on it". To the second question, the answer was that they had conducted a survey but that they "probably need to investigate a little more". A journalist then asked whether the representatives of SCR and HRF have motorhomes themselves, and the answer was ... no.
Peter saw a film about a happy couple with children in their 35s, travelling around with a nice motorhome, but that's not really the reality we live in. The vast majority of motorhome owners are 55+, have no children at home, want simple solutions and no fuss. Swedish camping is investing in the right things. What do you think?
Top photo: Photographer: Anna Hult, SCR Svensk Camping
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Lena - good for the soul says:
Yes, there is something about camping! Probably it is as you say that most people are 55+ and without children when you want some peace and quiet.
Hug Lena
04 May 2017 - 6:52
Helena says:
In a motorhome, that age still dominates. Maybe it's different in a caravan, I don't really know.
04 May 2017 - 20:27
Alexandra says:
On the other hand, I think the 35-year-old parents of young children can make a lot of money... especially if you attract them with pool areas and playgrounds. And that's what every industry wants....to make money. ?
04 May 2017 - 6:59
Helena says:
You might have a point there... 😉 😉
04 May 2017 - 20:47
Solan says:
SCR Swedish Camping and the Swedish Caravan Association (HRF). The less these organisations are involved in campsites in Sweden, the better. Let campsites remain holiday villages for everyone who wants security, comfort and, for example, playgrounds... Then we who want to roll can get sensible and functional parking spaces without the involvement of, well, you know who... That's it 🙂.
04 May 2017 - 7:10
Helena says:
Yes, maybe so! But I myself can still imagine camping from time to time, but preferably without a playground then ... 😉.
04 May 2017 - 20:48
Inga Magnusson says:
Camping can offer holidaying children friends, a playground and ice cream within easy reach at all times, often also swimming. This is probably not a bad thing for families with children, but perhaps the campsite should be divided into different areas, one for families with children and one for those who want to avoid the hustle and bustle. Certainly, different campsites will also niche themselves for an intended clientele.
04 May 2017 - 7:14
Helena says:
Camping with activities for children is certainly not wrong! But there are other target groups too... Well, maybe different departments! We have also experienced campsites abroad where there are parking spaces outside. Then you pay less, but you don't get access to everything inside the area.
04 May 2017 - 20:49
Across the board says:
Firstly, I want to say thank you - this feature was much better than the one I read in Aftonbladet yesterday, about the increased number of motorhomes. Where it was neither spelled correctly nor the correct abbreviation (they called HRF for HTR....).
It's very interesting that you don't do a proper market survey and that you as a "decision-maker" don't drive a motorhome...!!! But as I said before, I have stopped telling people how fantastic motorhome life is. Pitches and campsites are not expanding at the same rate as the sale of camper vans, so where will we go in a few years?
04 May 2017 - 7:25
Helena says:
It's great to hear that you appreciate our report! That makes us happy 🙂 And I understand how you think ... When there are more motorhomes, there must be more places to stay. We can whisper about how great motorhome life is, so that others don't discover it... 😉.
04 May 2017 - 20:51
Peter says:
"has contact with the campsites in the municipalities and works with it" should probably be read: We do what we can to close existing campsites and at the same time try to influence the municipalities in every way that motorhomes should be forced into our affiliated campsites.
Since we have smaller children (4 and 7), we can go camping sometimes to get a little more relaxation, but otherwise caravan sites or free camping work well as you can usually always go to a municipal playground or equivalent to play for a while, but it requires more supervision.
My experience after 3-4 years in a motorhome is that a group that is increasing a lot is families with children, a few years ago it was quite rare but now it is more the rule than the exception that you meet other families travelling in a motorhome. The ideal place for us is for example the one in Ulricehamn, free camping without service but with a cosy town and large playground nearby.
04 May 2017 - 8:15
Helena says:
We have also always mixed camping, pitches and free camping. We have chosen camping sometimes for nature, sometimes for pool (when we had children with us) and sometimes for services like washing machine 😉 We choose pitches when we want to be close to a city or not pay too much. Interesting that you notice that families with children in motorhomes are increasing. I'm sure that's true.
04 May 2017 - 20:53
Marina says:
I just heard about this on the news about the increase in motorhome tourism. Maybe it's time to try it, so many people can't be wrong...;)
04 May 2017 - 8:24
Helena says:
No, but isn't it ...!? 🙂
04 May 2017 - 20:53
Ama de casa says:
They might have preferred to be representatives of the TRF (Tenters' Risk Association), but I'm sure there's no such thing... 😉.
Back in our day, we wanted a swimming pool at the campsite. However, we never needed a playground. However, it was nice if there were cosy restaurants and not too expensive grocery stores for emergency purchases.
04 May 2017 - 9:35
Helena says:
When we travelled with children, we also looked for campsites with a pool. Now we are not interested in that at all. And maybe that's how it is ... there are different target groups looking for different things ...
04 May 2017 - 20:54
Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:
The SCR protects its activities. Wants to see everyone camping and paying sky-high prices.
04 May 2017 - 9:56
Helena says:
Yes, maybe that's the case ... We have thought that camping prices in Sweden have been ok, but with more and more luxury, prices are rising all the time ...
04 May 2017 - 20:55
Anette Åhnbrink says:
Of course we should push the big dragons, but as many say, keep them away from the pitches! It would be interesting if some municipality could go to Germany where there is a parking space in almost every small town, village, hamlet and at reasonable prices, and unfortunately we see here in Sweden that the parking spaces that are built are camping-like, not everything is needed on a parking space, and it should not be possible to pre-book, long stay or have a service building, we have everything in the car! What is needed is a safe place to tighten the handbrake, the ability to empty and fill water, and empty the toilet, of course it should cost a penny, but remove the electricity from the price, so you can choose how you want it! I also think that families with children are on the rise in caravanning, but, who said that they all want park-like campsites? Unfortunately, this means that we get more motorhomes on the roads, that it will be thick on parking spaces and campsites this summer, we can hope that someone can see how this affects the whole picture of how we are perceived by others in society and also what or where to invest the money, flashy playgrounds or more places where we can stay and use what we have in the car. Absolutely no easy question this, and as usual there are a thousand opinions on how it should be solved, we can only wish everyone a nice summer, wherever you roll, both with motorhome and caravan☀?/Anette
04 May 2017 - 10:35
Helena says:
Surely there are a thousand opinions! I agree that perhaps these organisations should not interfere with the pitches. However, I think that campsites can consider that there are different target groups. Abroad, they sometimes demarcate a part of the campsite so that it becomes more like a caravan park, for example. Not easy, I agree. And then I also think it's important that there are enough pitches!
04 May 2017 - 20:58
Mr Steve says:
This was a "politician's answer" to Peter's questions to the industry, I see. So typical that none of the representatives have a motorhome themselves.
I think I somehow recognise myself from other sectors and areas of society.
04 May 2017 - 12:18
Helena says:
Yes, one can certainly see similarities with other areas ... Of course, it should not be a requirement to have a motorhome/caravan, but perhaps a bit strange that the representatives do not have that interest ....?
04 May 2017 - 21:00
snort says:
Camping is not for me but I realise that it is much more popular than I thought.
It's unfortunate, however, that the answers to the questions were vague, but unfortunately that seems to be the norm...
04 May 2017 - 13:59
Helena says:
Camping is of course not for everyone, but yes, camping is very popular in Sweden!
04 May 2017 - 21:01
Ruth in Virginia says:
Glad I don't have to drive on the roads in Sweden this summer.
Don't like, dislike, hate getting stuck behind "one of those". 🙂
04 May 2017 - 14:49
Helena says:
You shouldn't get stuck behind camper vans, they drive just as fast as other cars 😉 But caravans have to keep a lower speed because they have a trailer ...
04 May 2017 - 21:02
Matts Torebring says:
Such a huge increase and yet our new car is not produced, let alone registered.
I just hope that both old and new motorhome owners have common sense: "Keep Sweden clean, tidy, tidy, show consideration and be careful of nature"! If this is not done, we get a bad reputation and I do not want to be part of that. Then we will all be forced into campsites, where we do not always belong.
04 May 2017 - 15:49
Helena says:
Very well said! This is sooo important! We have seen the problems in Portugal and Spain, when there are too many motorhomes and many people who do not show consideration and care for nature. And then it is not so strange if people get tired of motorhomes ...!
04 May 2017 - 21:03
Elisabeth Gejrot says:
I think you're absolutely right about the target audience - I see one after another of our 55+ friends getting a motorhome and it's not the water park they're looking for. I hear about everything from it being used for travelling to sports competitions with or without active half-grown children, by the grandparent generation visiting children without wanting to intrude, to weekend trips and for long journeys between holiday home and home. I continue to work on my partner, who only sees camping in front of him when I talk about motorhomes, while I see how the hopelessly long journeys between the south of France and Sweden would become their own adventures in their own motorhome. With room for one lucky bloke! Who knows...?
04 May 2017 - 19:29
Helena says:
We probably had a similar picture to your partner before we got a motorhome. We just thought of long-term camping with fences and flower boxes. There's nothing wrong with that if you like it, but it wasn't interesting to us. Then we discovered that motorhome life can be so much more! Adventure, opportunity, freedom ,,,,! We also want to reclaim the word camping. You can camp by campervan, motorbike, car, on foot... Camping is adventure, freedom and discovery 🙂.
04 May 2017 - 21:07
BP says:
I'm glad the industry is doing well. It felt like that at the Caravan Fair in Kista.
So just as I wouldn't book a charter holiday at a hotel with a Teddy Bear Club or similar, I wouldn't want to stay at a campsite with a playground. However, the pool and restaurant sound excellent.
Is in Benidorm right now, and the campsites here can not be compared with Sweden's variants. Most are pure luxury facilities and not particularly affordable either, which is a bit surprising, as everything else is so incredibly cheap by Swedish standards.
04 May 2017 - 22:01
Helena says:
I agree that camping is not very cheap in Spain. Especially electricity is expensive. We were in Benidorm during the low season and then we could use our ACSI discount card at the campsite where we stayed.
06 May 2017 - 6:20
Hasse says:
If they want to make money, then they are doing the right thing. But if that is the main purpose, they should not listen to and represent all campers. Do they see pitches as camping or not, is the question? I think their mission should be reviewed, for better inclusion and representation.
04 May 2017 - 22:47
Helena says:
It's all about money, of course, just like in other industries... SCR represents campsites, but it's conceivable that campsites could have an interest in meeting the needs of more than one target group!?
06 May 2017 - 6:23