Rise in fees at particular camping spots - Camping rates escalate at certain venues
Rising Costs at Campsites in Thuringia Affect Vacationers
Campers in the German state of Thuringia are facing price increases for overnight stays and additional expenses at select campsites this season. This includes some long-term campers, according to site operators responding to a dpa inquiry. The hike in prices is due to increased operational costs experienced by the campsite operators. Primarily, higher personnel and electricity costs are cited as the culprits.
Nevertheless, Reinhard Schniz, chairman of the Thuringian Camping Association, asserts that camping vacations remain budget-friendly compared to other accommodations and foreign travel within Thuringia. Recently, the "camping.info" web portal reported an approximate 4.2% increase in costs for two people, including pitch, caravan, electricity, and local tax, compared to 2024. The average cost is 24.21 euros, making Thuringia one of the most affordable states for campers in Germany. For comparison, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania stands at 33.20 euros, and the national average is at 28.86 euros.
A spokesperson for a campsite near Oberhof attributes the increased personnel costs as the main reason for the price increase this year. Similarly, overnight stays on the campsite in Hohenfelden (Weimarer Land) have risen, with the main season pricing reflecting the higher personnel costs.
At the campsite Meyersgrund near Ilmenau, overnight costs have remained constant so far, but there are increases for long-term campers. The pricing varies from site to site; some include showering and electricity in a bundled package, while others charge extra for these services and waste disposal.
This season, the popular long weekends of Ascension and Pentecost are fully booked at many campsites, including Meyersgrund. The favorable calendar, with a late Easter and the 1st of May coupled with a bridge day in excellent spring weather, has brought good attendances to the sites. The holiday booking situation is also positive, according to the association chairman Schniz.
Over the past few years, the demand for camping in Thuringia has increased significantly. In 2024, the number of overnight stays increased by 6.1% compared to the previous year, reaching over 846,000, as reported by the Statistical Office of the State. Approximately 314,000 vacationers spent the night on the nearly 100 campsites and caravan sites, with an average stay of 2.7 days.
While the article does not provide specific reasons for the price increases in Ilmenau or Thuringia, various factors, such as increased demand, inflation, operational costs, seasonal adjustments, and investment in facilities, could contribute to the trend. For pinpointed reasons, local campsite operators or regional tourism organizations would be the best sources of information.
The community policy could consider addressing the rising costs of camper accommodations in Thuringia, potentially offering subsidies or incentives for cost-effective vocational training programs for campsite personnel to help reduce operational costs. Furthermore, home-and-garden lifestyle blogs might offer budget-friendly suggestions for users planning home-based vocational training sessions, such as carpentry or gardening, to save money while traveling less.
