Rise in fees at certain campgrounds - Campsite fees rise at particular locations
Rising Costs at Campsites in Thuringia Prompt Price Increases for Vacationers
Overnight stays and ancillary costs at campsites in Thuringia have seen an increase this season, affecting both short-term and long-term vacationers, according to site operators. The hike in prices is a response to heightened operational costs for the site operators, with increased personnel and electricity costs being the primary causes.
Despite the price hike, camping still proves to be a budget-friendly accommodation option when compared to other forms and abroad in Thuringia, asserts Reinhard Schniz, chairman of the Association of Thuringian Camping. According to camping.info's recent survey, a two-person pitch, including a caravan, electricity, and local tax, has increased by approximately 4.2 percent compared to 2024, averaging 24.21 euros. This makes Thuringia one of the most economical states for campers, with Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania at 33.20 euros and the national average at 28.86 euros.
A campsite spokesperson near Oberhof voices the struggle to retain staff due to lack of availability. To address this issue, they've had to increase wages, subsequently raising overnight prices for the site with 150 pitches for motorhomes, caravan trailers, and tents. A similar price increase is reported at campsite Hohenfelden in the Weimar region. Nadin Frey, the site manager, attributes this change primarily to increased personnel costs.
In contrast, prices on campsite Meyersgrund near Ilmenau have remained constant for tourists, but there are increases for long-term campers. Price variations between sites depend on inclusions such as showering and electricity in a complete package or additional charges for these facilities and waste disposal.
The Ascension and Pentecost weekends remain popular among campers, with campsites like Meyersgrund reporting full occupancy. The combination of a later Easter, the 1st of May, and a bridge day this year has already resulted in optimal attendance, according to Schniz. Booking trends for upcoming holidays appear to be promising.
Camping has experienced a boom over the years, with an increase of 6.1 percent in overnight stays in Thuringia compared to the previous year, as reported by the State Statistical Office. Almost 314,000 vacationers stayed on the nearly 100 campsites and caravan parks, averaging a visit of 2.7 days.
While specific data on personnel and electricity costs remains unavailable, the prevailing market dynamics can contribute to these price increases. These factors include varying demand across seasons, facilities, and locations, as well as operational and market costs. Campsite operators may strive for operational efficiencies, such as investment in renewable energy sources, to offset these costs and maintain competitive pricing.
Vocational training programs in the community could be beneficial for campsite operators in Thuringia, as they could help reduce personnel costs and improve operational efficiency. This might lead to a more sustainable lifestyle for the operators and a more affordable home-and-garden for vacationers, thereby encouraging more travel to Thuringia's campsites.
With the increase in prices at Thuringia's campsites and the popularity of camping as a vacation choice, it might be worth exploring vocational training opportunities for travel-related industries, such as tourism and hospitality, to further boost the sector and maintain a budget-friendly accommodation option for travelers.
