2024 Camping Study

Project description

Camping trips have been growing in popularity among German vacationers for years. By catering to vacation preferences such as individuality and a connection to nature, this type of travel has gained even more popularity during the pandemic.

The German Institute for Tourism Research has examined various aspects of camping demand in Germany in three independent research projects to date, with the aim of gaining insights into this growing segment. This article describes the third study, conducted in 2024 (see the studies from 2021 and 2022).

The 2024 study focused on the attitudes and behaviors of German campers regarding selected sustainability aspects, thereby complementing the content of the project “Emissions-Free Camping: The Renewable-Energy-Powered Campground” from the perspective of campers. In addition to general attitudes toward climate change, the energy transition, and the transportation transition, the study examined specific attitudes toward sustainability in camping trips. With regard to their stays at campgrounds, campers were surveyed on topics including renewable energy systems at campgrounds, on-site electricity generation, and mobility options offered by campgrounds. Selected questions were analyzed for potential significant correlations with the chosen type of accommodation, enabling the study to provide insights for specific groups of campers as well.

In a population-representative online survey conducted by mindline energy GmbH in October/November 2024, which was stratified by gender, age, place of residence, and educational background, conducted by mindline energy GmbH in October/November 2024, a total of 1,009 people aged 18–74 living in German-speaking private households in Germany were surveyed; these individuals had taken at least one camping trip lasting four or more nights and involving the use of a campground (2022 to 2024) had taken at least one camping trip lasting four or more nights and involving the use of a campground.

The questionnaire covered the following aspects, among others:

• Camping Travel Behavior: Frequency of Travel, Type of Accommodation
• Relevance of Selected Topics to Current Developments in Germany
• Attitudes Toward Climate Change, the Energy Transition, and the Transportation Transition
• Responsibility for the Energy and Transportation Transitions in Camping Tourism
• Attitudes Toward Sustainability in Camping Tourism
• The Energy Transition in Camping Tourism: Renewable Energy Systems at Campgrounds, On-Site Electricity Generation
• A Transportation Revolution in Camping Tourism: Camping Vehicles, Sustainable Local Mobility