The high temperatures and the forecasts of record figures in tourism in Spain have promoted alternative sectors such as camping, with an average occupancy of 90% this August, and caravanning, with 75% of the places in its park. rentals reserved for this summer.
The president of the Spanish Camping Federation (FEEC), Ana Beriain, highlighted in statements to EFE that this type of accommodation is the second nationally, and that it continues to grow “year after year” thanks to the moderation of prices in this activity, despite inflation and lower profitability.
During this summer, the sector has already registered 40 million overnight stays and 9 million tourists, complying with the initial forecasts. Regarding prices, Beriain assures that it can continue to be maintained, and highlights that “they have tried to keep the pace of moderation” while preserving the quality-price ratio, with an average cost per family of 140 euros, which “are not bad figures “despite the drop in domestic consumption of 20%.
According to the FEEC, establishments have raised their rates by 5%, half of what basic supplies such as electricity, water or gas have become more expensive, with the most affected services being restaurants and sports and recreational activities. Weather Conditions and High Occupation Have Caused the Camping Season to Extend September and Its First Quinkeena, and Even October “As Time Permits, Driven By National Tourism, Which Has INCREASED 40% In The Last 10 years, according to Beriain.
Establishments in the Mediterranean area of the Valencian Community, Andalusia, Murcia and Barcelona are expected to have an average occupancy of over 90%, levels that will also be reached in the north of the country, in Galicia, Cantabria, Asturias and the Basque Country. if the weather accompanies.
The campsite, used to being a cheap alternative, has been able to modernize with “glamping” or glamorous camping, and has attracted “new tourists who previously used other types of accommodation”, which has led these facilities to expand their services. The bungalows will be practically 100% occupied, and the outdoor pitches for motorhomes, campers and caravans at 80% occupancy.
50,000 motorhome rentals this summer
Another of the sectors that the pandemic has benefited -like camping- due to its contact with nature and social distance is that of motorhomes and campers. The executive delegate of the Spanish Association of the Caravaning Industry and Commerce (Aseicar), Raúl Vaquero, reminds EFE that the rise in the sector began in 2018 with an increase of 260% until 2020, but that the lack of components caused by the war in Ukraine has slowed it down by 40% in the last year and a half.
“People buy food before they buy a caravan,” says Vaquero about this downward trend, also caused by the rise in interest rates that affects possible financing for these vehicles and which is currently causing a 25% drop. . The average rental of one of these vehicles is around 7 days, according to the data provided by Aseicar. For the summer months alone, 50,000 rental contracts have been signed, in addition to the 170,000 owned vehicles and some 50,000 foreigners.
The lengthening of the season is mainly due to the high temperatures, which no longer concentrate tourists in August and which attract foreigners, the one that is growing the most, to September, says Vaquero, who admits, yes, that this atypical season has caused gaps in the reserves until July.
The forecasts of income derived from caravans in shops or restaurants are 230 million euros, with an average daily cost per vehicle of 150 euros and an average of seven days on the route. In terms of prices, Vaquero affirms that they have increased a lot, since there are no vehicles available and financing has increased in “a perfect storm that is not a matter of lack of customers, but a temporary issue.”
Communities such as Catalonia and the Basque Country have experienced growth with families and young people with a social impact that “the sector had never had and that is pulling the shopping cart,” says Vaquero. This type of client rents said vehicles to carry out activities such as surfing or “rafting”, specifically campers, unlike the early-retired senior of 10 years ago.
