EU Camping Trends Surge As Outdoor Accommodations Outpace Hotel Growth

Camping and caravan accommodation in the European Union recorded 413 million overnight stays in 2025, accounting for 13.4% of total tourist nights, according to Eurostat data released on April 6, 2026. The segment has grown by 28.5% since 2015, compared with a 23.4% increase in hotel stays.

Robust Growth In Outdoor Travel

Camping, recreational vehicle parks and trailer sites continue to gain share within the tourism sector. Growth in this segment reflects changing travel preferences toward outdoor and flexible accommodation. The increase outpaces traditional hotel growth, indicating a shift in demand patterns across the EU tourism market.

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Seasonal Dynamics And Geographic Highlights

Camping activity remains highly seasonal, with 67% of nights, or 277 million, recorded between June and August. August alone accounted for 118 million overnight stays. France led the EU market with 154 million nights, representing 37.2% of total camping activity, followed by Spain with 49.8 million, Italy with 49.1 million and Germany with 45 million. Other countries showed lower volumes, including Portugal with 7.1 million nights.

Environmental Regulations And The Cyprus Response

Cyprus authorities are increasing controls on illegal camping and environmental damage ahead of the Easter period. The Forestry Department said permits are required for any tree cutting and confirmed that no approvals will be issued for bonfire-related use. Officials also called on the public to report illegal logging to local authorities. The measures aim to limit environmental impact during peak outdoor activity periods.

Mitigation Strategies And The Push For Regulated Alternatives

Authorities have banned fires within state forests and within two kilometres of forest boundaries, with penalties including up to five years in prison and fines of €25,000. Enforcement is being strengthened ahead of the fire season. A new €1 million glamping project has been approved near Peristerona in Paphos, consisting of 20 dome-style units near the Natura 2000 Sarama Valley. The project is designed to provide controlled accommodation with reduced environmental impact.

Conclusion

Growth in camping across the EU reflects increased demand for outdoor travel. Expansion of the sector is occurring alongside stricter environmental controls in areas exposed to tourism pressure. Future development will depend on balancing demand with environmental protection measures.

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Cyprus Expects More French Visitors In 2027 As Air Capacity Expands

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 18, 2026

Cyprus expects more French visitors in 2027 as airlines increase capacity between the two countries, Tourism Deputy Minister Kostas Koumis said after meetings with tour operators in Paris.

France, one of Cyprus’ key tourism markets, has had a difficult 2026. French arrivals fell 46% year over year to 8,453 in August, from 15,663 a year earlier, according to the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat). August arrivals were also nearly 50% below the 16,798 recorded in the same month of 2024.

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Overall, Cyprus received 2.82 million tourist arrivals between January and August, down 7% from the same period in 2025.

Air Connectivity Supports 2027 Outlook

Koumis discussed the 2027 outlook with senior executives from tour operators offering Cyprus holidays during the IFTM Top Resa travel trade fair in Paris.

Higher air capacity between France and Cyprus was a key focus of the talks. Participants also discussed the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on the French market and Cyprus’ efforts to adapt its tourism offering to French travelers.

“The French market is undoubtedly an extremely important market for our country’s tourism,” Koumis said, adding that France had regained importance only a few years ago and still had room to grow.

Improved air connectivity will be an important factor in that expansion, according to Koumis. “It is now clear that air connectivity between France and Cyprus is improving significantly, which is a basic prerequisite for the further growth of the market,” he said.

Cyprus Promotes Tourism And Regional Cooperation

Koumis attended the opening of IFTM Top Resa at the invitation of French Tourism Minister Serge Papin, who later visited the Cyprus stand. Held from Sept. 15 to 17 at Paris Porte de Versailles, the event brought together more than 32,000 tourism professionals representing 177 destinations and 1,650 brands, according to organizers.

During his visit, Koumis also met Egyptian Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy. Cyprus and Egypt reaffirmed their tourism cooperation and discussed opportunities to strengthen ties further.

French media interviews covered Cyprus’ tourism offering, infrastructure and services, along with efforts to develop specialized tourism products. Regional instability weighed on arrivals in 2026, particularly during the spring, although the decline narrowed over the summer.

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