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The pandemic has led to several campers having record years, while others in the industry have suffered from cancellation of events and the absence of foreign visitors. Now hope turns to 2021.
In the picture: Köpingbaden Camping, Köpingsvik, Öland.
Despite the fact that Camping Sweden appears to have done better than its peers in the industry, such as hotel chains and travel companies, the pandemic has not gone unnoticed by the sector, according to several players.
Spring was tougher, when the uncertainty about the peak season was a fact and restrictions and recommendations from the government and authorities were coming, according to Peter Jansson, CEO of the industrial organization SCR Svensk Camping.
As summer approached, the number of guests gradually increased.
But SCR bears witness to a “very strange year,” with great variation between how things have gone for different camp facilities, says Peter Jansson.
– Some of our members have had record years, while others have had it much more difficult, says Peter Jansson.
– When large events are canceled, nearby campsites lose sight of the fact that guests don’t visit campsites in connection with the events. On the other hand, campsites that are not visited in connection with events have fared slightly better, he continues.
The campsites adjacent to the Norwegian border have also had a rough year.
Despite the industry suffering an occupancy loss of around 20 to 25 percent compared to the previous year, Peter Jansson describes 2020 as a “pretty good year on the terms.”
– We have lost a lot because foreign tourists did not come to Sweden, which generally represents around 25 percent of visitors. However, it has been covered up a bit by more Swedish visitors than in previous years at some facilities.
While there are several flashes of light, which began with vaccines, he is confidently looking into the upcoming season.
– We believe that it can be a good season, if other things do not happen during the trip, such as that the vaccine is not as effective as expected, says Peter Jansson.
The First Camp camping group is one of the largest camping companies in Sweden, with almost 45 facilities.
Johan Söör, CEO of the company, sums up the year by saying that the sector has “escaped a bit”, compared to colleagues in the industry such as hospitality and travel companies.
– The campsite is a safe accommodation against the pandemic, with a caravan, motorhome or cabin accommodation. As a guest, you can also go to the campsites in your own vehicle. But despite that, we see a drop in sales of around 15 to 20 percent this year, says Johan Söör.
The loss comes mainly from the clear absence of foreign guests, only a few from other countries have visited Swedish campsites this year. On the other hand, Swedish guests increased slightly at some of the Group’s facilities during the year.
– Most of our campsites are open all year round, but the greatest pressure occurs during the summer. But as of August, things have gone better in terms of turnover than at the same time last year, thanks to the interest in accommodation in vacation homes both from individuals and from associations and companies.
At the same time, he is confident that interest in camping will increase in the future.
– Everything indicates that it will be more popular, says and explains that First Camp will invest more than 130 million SEK in 2021 in the improvement of existing campsites and new facilities, including an expansion in Åhus in Skåne.
He does not fear a possible increase in demand for foreign travel and charter vacations, the day the pandemic ends.
– Not least, caravan sales have increased this year, and there are many new motorhomes. I think it will want to continue even when the pandemic subsides.
It’s still difficult to say for sure what the summer of 2021 will be like, as most bookings are made on relatively short notice before guests arrive.
– Easter is the first big camping weekend of the year, so what it will be like then can be a sign of what summer will be like, says Johan Söör.
