Rise in costs observed at specific camping locations - Campsite fees observed to ascend at certain locations
Campers in Thuringia, Germany are experiencing increased costs for overnight stays at some sites this season. This applies to both vacationers and long-term campers, according to site operators. Higher personnel costs and increased electricity charges are cited as the main reasons for the price hike.
Despite the increase, camping on these sites still remains a cheaper option compared to other accommodation forms and is also more affordable within Thuringia itself. According to the "camping.info" internet portal, the average costs for two people, including pitch, caravan, electricity, and local tax, have risen by around 4.2 percent compared to 2024 this year. The current average cost is 24.21 euros. For comparison, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania with popular Baltic Sea coast locations costs 33.20 euros, while the German average is 28.86 euros.
A spokesperson from a campsite near Oberhof attributes the higher staff costs as the main reason for the price increase. Similarly, the managing director of Campingplatz Hohenfelden (Weimarer Land) has also increased overnight stay costs due to increased personnel expenses. At Campingplatz Meyersgrund near Ilmenau, prices for tourists remain constant for now, but there are increases for long-term campers. Costs vary across sites, with some including amenities like showering and electricity in a complete package, while others charge extra for these services.
Traditionally popular, the long Ascension and Pentecost weekends are often fully booked. Manuela Zanker, co-owner of Campingplatz Meyersgrund, mentions that they are already fully booked this year. The favorable calendar, with a relatively late Easter, the 1st of May, and a bridge day in pleasant spring weather, has already attracted good visitor numbers to the sites. "The booking situation for the holidays is also good," remarks association chairman Reinhard Schniz.
Camping has seen a boom in recent years. In 2024, the number of overnight stays in Thuringia increased by 6.1 percent compared to the previous year, surpassing 846,000. Around 314,000 vacationers stayed on almost 100 camping and caravan sites, with an average stay of 2.7 days.
It is believed that increased demand, operational costs, investment in infrastructure, seasonal fluctuations, and environmental and regulatory factors could contribute to price increases at camping sites. However, specific information about price increases for tent and caravan sites in Thuringia could not be found based on the provided search results. For detailed and site-specific information, it would be best to consult local camping sites or Thuringian tourism boards directly.
Vocational training programs can be implemented within the community policy to strengthen the workforce in the camping industry, in response to the increased costs and personnel expenses faced by site operators. As camping remains an affordable lifestyle option compared to other accommodation forms, promotions for vocational training in vocational training, home-and-garden, and travel sectors could encourage more individuals to opt for skilled jobs in the sector, ensuring consistent services and cost-efficiency for campers in the future.
