The sense of freedom, independence, contact with nature and the possibility sometimes for some more economical options, make the choice of camping very popular. It is the type of tourism that those who choose it, love it and in a sense it is also a type of lifestyle. In Greece there are approximately 300 campsites and this translates into almost 22,000 pitches in total. Despite the fact that May, mainly due to the weather conditions, was not a profitable month, the traffic gradually started to recover and now in the middle of the tourist season things seem to be going well.

As he mentions speaking to the Athenian – Macedonian News Agency o president of the Panhellenic Association of Camping Business Owners Antonis Deledimitriou, “it is estimated that we have around 22,000 places available in all the country’s campsites. Each of them corresponds to about three people, which roughly means 70,000 people per day in total. At this stage we are at a good level, we are talking about occupancies that exceed 50% in total for the country, while there are campsites that are at 70% and others at 90%. Usually in April and May people prefer to camp in areas of archaeological and cultural interest, while from June until mid-September they choose the sea. I believe that we will do well in September as well, because we lost it in May, mainly due to bad weather conditions but also due to elections. However, I believe that in terms of overnight stays we will manage to reach the numbers of 2019, but I don’t think financially we will be at the same levels”.

According to Mr. Delidimitriou, after the pandemic the number of people increased but the consumption in restaurants and beach bars decreased as the purchasing power of the people, mainly the Balkans but also the Greeks who choose destinations in northern Greece in their majority, was limited. On the other hand, in the Peloponnese, 90% of the campers are foreigners and mainly Swiss, French, Belgians and Austrians who come by motorhome via Italy, either from the port of Igoumenitsa or from Patras.

The prices at the campsites are free as explained by Mr. Delidimitriou, but indicatively he mentions that the cost for a family of four, with their own camping equipment can start from 30 to 45 euros, with which they pay for the place, the place for the car and the electricity. If you do not have a camping vehicle, the prices start from 60 euros.

However, there is also luxury camping which has proven to be gaining ground in recent years as a new trend. The “spirit” is the same: nature, freedom, living in your own space and feeling different than when you are in a building. “And glamping is included in camping and gets the special badge. It’s luxury living in the countryside. It’s a fashion, a trend”, explains Mr. Delidimitriou. “It’s a different experience, where the camper will find accommodation ready, where he won’t carry towels or anything else. He will have everything. This is luxury camping and of course it is a product that the market wants. The issue, however, is that businesses are sustainable and I wouldn’t say that Greece as a whole is a luxury destination, as there is an infrastructure issue in many areas,” he adds.

“Illegal camping holds up well”

A parameter that has been a perennial “headache” is illegal camping, as pointed out by the president of the Panhellenic Association of Camping Business Owners, Antonis Delidimitriou. “It’s an environmental issue, they disturb nature, they don’t respect it. But it is also economical as there are losses of revenue. It is for those who come only for a day at the campsite to empty the chemicals, load the washing machines and leave. Motorhomes are considered accommodation, they can stop to rest but must go to organized campsites for the night. That’s why the legislation exists, that’s why colleagues are also taxed, but some throw their garbage and chemicals wherever they find them, they burden the municipalities, they only do harm”, notes Mr. Deledimitriou and adds: “Anyone can go to a beach and sit all day, but staying overnight creates other issues, such as delinquency, fires, pollution, etc. The issue is these people who wash themselves? Where do they leave their dirt? If you go to the Crab Holes right now it smells bad. Without rules there are problems.”