The first day at Elmia Husvagn Husbil has come to an end. We have listened to news from the camping industry and met lots of nice people - both old friends and new acquaintances. Come and listen to our lectures - about Croatia, Estonia and Germany!
Table of contents
News from the industry
Elmia Husvagn Husbil 2019 opened its doors on Wednesday 11 September, and just after the opening it was time for a press conference with the latest news from the camping industry. It was announced that the fair is more fully booked than ever and that the fair camping was sold out in record time. Some quick figures from the industry in 2018 showed 16 million guest nights, 25 per cent international guests, 1065 campsites and 233 pitches.
Motorhome sales have plummeted - but there's hope for the future!
Sales of motorhomes have fallen dramatically following the announcement of new tax rules and a long discussion was devoted to this topic. There was a strong consensus that the current taxation is unfair as motorhomes, which may only be used for a short period of time during the year, are compared to other vehicles but not to other forms of holiday such as a summer house, boat or motorbike.
There was clear outrage that the Transport Agency had first announced that the tax would not affect motorhomes and then changed its mind on this point a month later, suggesting that the last word had not been said. Despite the fact that the tax has hit the industry hard, confidence in the future was reported. The positive list included high pressure on second-hand sales, increased sales of vans and strong interest in renting. We have to agree that the tax feels extremely unfair and even wrong. Let us know what you think about this!
Pleasant meetings
After the press meeting, we spent some time in our stand in Lobby South. It was fantastic to talk to all the people who came by, both old friends and new acquaintances. We met Anette from the blog Motorhome criss-crossand who was with us in Germany this summer on the trip. The beach basket challenge.
We also met Benita and Arne from the blog A&B on the road, who travelled with us to Schwedenfest in Wismar 2017.
We also met Elisabeth and Lennart from the blog Motorhome Ellenwho we first met on a beach in Portugal in 2015. Isn't the motorhome world amazing? In the picture we are mingling in the Elnagh stand at the Elmia fair. We have also met many others, including Håkan and Carina from the blog. Motorhome holidays and adventures and Nils-Åke from the blog Motorhome and travelling, who works at the exhibition centre with the Caravan Club.
Take a look around the fair
It is difficult to get time to look at the fair when you have to stand in a stand and go to a press conference. At least for a while we had time to look around! We have had time to look at accessories for our own motorhome and we have also checked out some exciting news among the motorhomes and caravans. Reports will come in the future and you can also get some previews if you follow us on @freedomtravelnews on Instagram.
Welcome to our lectures
It's almost time for us to talk about our travels. Great fun if you want to come! You are welcome to Café Syd in Kongresshuset at the following times:
- Thursday 12:30-13:00 Zadar region - a gem in Croatia
- Thursday 14:30 -15:00 Zadar region - a gem in Croatia
- Friday 12:30-13:00 Around Estonia by motorhome
- Friday 14:30-15:00 Around Estonia by motorhome
- Saturday 12:30-13:00 Germany's beautiful Baltic coastline
- Saturday 14:30-15:00 Germany's beautiful Baltic coastline
Arne Lindh says:
Wow, what great people you meet! Enjoy the rest of the fair.
12 September 2019 - 8:32
Helena says:
Haha, yes, right? We think so too.
12 September 2019 - 8:45
Across the board says:
Good to see you. It felt like there were unusually few people yesterday. More will surely come towards the weekend
12 September 2019 - 8:44
Helena says:
Likewise! It was only Wednesday yesterday, so there will probably be more people towards the weekend, I think so too.
12 September 2019 - 8:47
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
What fun meetings you had and it looks like Helena may need a power nap in a comfortable recliner....
12 September 2019 - 8:52
Helena says:
Haha, yes, a power nap may be needed! ??
12 September 2019 - 23:15
Elisabeth says:
There were many different meetings! An important part of the fair. We continue to walk around and look at different solutions to perhaps get a smart solution for Ellen. In a few hours we will listen to you
12 September 2019 - 10:30
Helena says:
Glad you came and listened! ?
12 September 2019 - 23:16
BP says:
Nice to have so many meetings with like-minded people. I also follow Elisabeth and Lennart's blog. Nice that they went to Jönköping and will also listen to your lecture. Good luck with the lectures by the way!
12 September 2019 - 21:32
Helena says:
Thank you very much! Elmia is really an opportunity to meet other motorhome owners! Many people come here! ??
12 September 2019 - 23:17
Husis blog says:
Thank you for a good and interesting lecture. Maybe the owners will go to Croatia again in the future and know that the owners took some photos of your slide show that they can have as a memory when planning.
The tax increase is crazy to me. To be compared with really big and heavy cars that travel so much further is a mind-boggling experience. It is not only motorhome owners who will be affected. There are a lot of others too, such as the camping industry, all the towns where motorhome owners shop and eat, vendors and manufacturers. Yes, it is a whole range of different parts that are affected. I hope this madness changes.
12 September 2019 - 21:45
Helena says:
Glad the owners came to the lecture!!! And yes, one hopes that the madness will change!!!
12 September 2019 - 23:19
Lena - good for the soul says:
Understand if it was time for some rest there in the chair 😉 Crazy hard to stand at the fair!
Hug Lena
13 September 2019 - 15:50
Deciree says:
Nice to be able to meet other bloggers and good friends in a place where everyone has the same interest 🙂 We would have liked to have been there but it may come in the future now. Hope you have a rewarding weekend. Hugs from us
14 September 2019 - 6:34