Outdoor tourism popularity climbs across Europe

Eurostat reported on April 6, 2026, that nights spent at camping grounds, recreational vehicle parks, and trailer parks across the European Union reached 413 million in 2025.

While camping and caravanning accounted for 13.4 per cent of all tourist accommodation nights, their popularity has climbed by 28.5 per cent since 2015, outperforming the 23.4 per cent growth seen in the hotel sector.

Data shows that 67.0 per cent of these stays, totalling 277 million nights, were concentrated in the summer months between June and August, with a peak of 118 million nights recorded in August alone.

The season typically begins increasing in March and tapers off toward the end of the year, finishing with approximately 5 million nights in December.

France remained the most popular destination for outdoor stays, accounting for 154 million nights or 37.2 per cent of the total EU market.

Other high-performing countries included Spain with 49.8 million nights, Italy with 49.1 million, and Germany with 45.0 million, while the top 10 EU countries saw volumes ranging down to 7.1 million in Portugal.

In Cyprus, the Forestry Department has responded to this growing outdoor trend by issuing a stern warning against illegal camping and environmental degradation ahead of the Easter period.

The department called for a responsible approach to protecting nature, noting that recent years have seen an increase in illegal tree cutting for traditional Easter bonfires.

“The felling of any forest or tree is only permitted with prior written approval from the department, regardless of location or ownership,” the forestry department stated in an official announcement.

Officials stressed that no permits are issued for cutting trees intended for bonfires and urged the public to report illegal logging incidents to the police or district offices.

With the fire season approaching, authorities also highlighted an elevated risk of wildfire outbreaks and reminded the public that lighting fires is banned except for food preparation in designated areas.

“Lighting a fire within state forests or within a two-kilometre radius of forest boundaries is a criminal offence, punishable upon conviction by up to five years in prison, a fine of €25,000, or both,” the department added.

During the summer months, Cyprus typically sees a spike in unauthorised camping in sensitive areas such as the Akamas forest, the baths of Aphrodite, and Fontana Amorosa.

“The fragile ecosystem is affected by illegal camping and waste left behind leads to pollution and the disruption of wildlife,” the forestry department has previously explained.

To provide regulated alternatives, the environmental department last summer approved a new glamping site in Peristerona, Paphos, situated 125 metres from the Natura 2000 protected Sarama Valley.

The €1 million project, which includes 20 dome-shaped cabins, received approval after experts concluded the construction would not cause irreversible damage to the local habitat.