Camping holidays: an unattainable luxury with Capfun, Sandaya and Homair?

IN BRIEF Evolution of camping: disappearance of traditional pitches in favor of mobile homes. Strong competition among major players like Capfun, Sandaya, and Homair. Expectations of campers in 2025 include more comfort and services. Children influence the choice of family camping. High costs: week in August for 6 people = average €2000. Mobile homes equipped with equipped kitchens, air conditioning, and terraces. Heavy investments for campgrounds, especially in water parks. Petition for the preservation of traditional pitches in response to upgrading.

Camping holidays have undergone a radical transformation in recent decades, evolving from a rustic and affordable experience to a heightened luxury offering, especially within renowned chains such as Capfun, Sandaya, and Homair. This article explores the new standards of camping, the expectations of modern campers, and the crucial question: are these stays still accessible to all budgets?

A marked evolution of traditional camping

Defining camping today means understanding that it is much more than just a simple plot in nature where one pitches a tent. With the emergence of large recreational complexes, camping has taken on the look of real amusement parks. While small family campgrounds struggle to attract customers facing giants such as Capfun, Sandaya, and Homair, the very nature of camping has changed, coming closer to a luxurious vacation experience.

Increasingly luxurious facilities

Current campgrounds often offer fully equipped mobile homes, modern kitchens, multiple private rooms, as well as comfortable terraces. This image of ideal holidays is reinforced by the presence of impressive water parks, featuring giant slides and various water activities. Thus, the time when camping was synonymous with simplicity and rudimentary service seems to be over, as managers invest heavily in comfort and attractions.

Expectations of modern campers

Trends show that the expectations of campers have changed. According to the president of the National Federation of Outdoor Hotels, Nicolas Dayot, today’s campers seek comfort, quality services, and varied facilities. Children, in particular, play a key role in the selection of family camping, contributing to this trend where it is crucial to attract families.

Prices: a barrier to access for some

The downside of this situation is that these facilities and quality services come at a cost. Indeed, rates during the peak season can reach up to €2000 for a week for a family of six. A huge gap compared to the €400 that would need to be spent for a week in the low season, noting an inflation of costs that continues to rise. So, while camping offers an increasingly high level of luxury, it seems that this luxury is becoming unaffordable for some vacationers.

Managers seeking profitability

For camping groups such as Capfun and Sandaya, investments in modern infrastructures and recreational attractions are essential to generate revenue. A mobile home can cost between €20,000 and €30,000 to purchase, while a water park may require an investment of €1 to €4 million. These costs are often amortized by the revenues generated, as a mobile home can yield up to €20,000 per year, a much more substantial figure compared to renting a simple plot where one pitches a tent.

Awareness and resistance to change

In response to this increased competition and upgrading, some traditional camps have launched initiatives such as the petition “Save Real Camping”. The managers of these establishments seek to defend the diversity of the camping landscape by requesting a “reasonable minimum share of pitches” where the spirit of camping from the past could survive. They emphasize that without this diversity, a portion of traditional campers might feel excluded from this new era of camping.