Lockdown in Germany has been extended until March 28^th. Regions in France are classified as risk areas and travelling between Italian regions is restricted. Unfortunately vacation in springtime is not developing as we hoped at Christmas. The Federal Association of the Camping Industry in Germany BVCD criticises the results of the conference of the Chancellor with the heads of government of the states on March 3^rd and demands urgently an opening strategy. BVCD president and Leading member Dr. Gunter Riechey comments: ‘The fact, that the camping and campervan pitches have not been considered within the five opening steps, is incomprehensible for our industry and brings the fifth month of standstill for one of the safest forms of vacation. We demand an equal treatment and professional discourse with our industry from politics’. How much we all long for safe camping trips, shows a survey amongst almost 25,000 European campers, including over 6,000 Germans, according to the survey, the latter are more positive about a vacation than they were in the spring of 2020. After all, 96% of German campers, who were surveyed by the Dutch camping specialist ACSI, have travel plans. The German camper has big plans and wants to spend an average of about 49 nights at a campsite, which corresponds to about seven weeks. For campers with children, the average is 33 days. The most popular months for campers without children are May, June, and September. Those with children prefer June, July, and August. Although camping in the home country remains popular, people are already dreaming of holidays in Italy. Compared to a similar survey in spring 2020 at the beginning of the Covid-19, now 28% (compared to 11% in 2020) of respondents say they want to go to Italy. Plus 7% each for France (24% in 2021 vs. 17% in 2020) and Croatia (22% in 2021 vs. 15% in 2020). The top 3 camping destinations from the ACSI study are Germany, Italy and France. We can help your wanderlust: At 36 locations in 11 countries across Europe, we wish to finally welcome and pamper you again.

LeadingsClub

Welcome in the LeadingClub! Each month there is a lucky winner of a "feel good camping week" at a different campsite amongst the club members. The winner of the LeadingCamping week of March 2021 is Karin K. from Micheldorf in Austria. She may look forward to having a treat at the Zugspitz-Resort in Ehrwald in Tyrol. Have a look what this campsite has to offer at www.zugspitz-camping.at . The LeadingCard is the entrée into the LeadingsClub. The most popular benefits at a glance:

1. Every month a raffle of a full week's stay at one of the LeadingCampings, restaurant meals, wellness, sports and fun included.
2. Late check-out and pitch upgrade*
3. Preferential reception and/or reserved counter for LeadingsClub.*
4. Benefits and privileges on every LeadingCamping for club members, including overnight stays for bonus points (not on all LeadingCampings).*
5. Reserved space in leadingcampings.com website where you can control your point account, find current offers and much more interesting information.
   

* Examples of the various LeadingsClub. Offers can vary from campsite to campsite and are not available at every LeadingCamping.

Rent and enjoy

Rent and Travel, the brand of Knaus Tabbert, helps newcomers to plan their vacation. They learn, which vehicle category is suitable for which type of camping. A step-by-step guide advises, how to rent a vehicle and provides also tips for routes and vacation. Additionally, the rental experts of Rent and Travel can advise in written or by phone. Comprehensive information on vehicles and rental offers is also available at the approximately 380 partner travel agencies in Germany. There are more than 2,000 Knaus, Tabbert, T@B and Weinsberg rental vehicles as good as new are to choose from, which can be taken over at approximately 180 renting stations in Germany. All functions are explained and demonstrated in detail directly at the vehicle. Short-term decision-makers can benefit from last-minute offers - both online and at travel agencies: Vehicles, that are still available for a few days between two booked periods, are offered at particularly attractive prices during these "in-between" periods. As soon as the Covid-19 situation allows it again, road teams of Rent and Travel will be on the way. They will give information on Sunday shopping, city celebrations etc. in all German Federal States. More information: www.rentandtravel.de

TV casting

The Cologne-based TV production company Good Times is looking for campers, who want to camp accompanied by TV. Kabel 1 will broadcast the format "Yes we camp". Different types of campers are required: families, who love to travel, as well as new campers, who are planning their first camping trip, couples, who swear by camping, or friends, who are setting off for a camping holiday. Of course, camping singles are also very welcome. The period is from the end of April to the end of May. Interested parties of any gender, please call or text/text 0151 505 599 62 or send an e-mail to ywcamp@good-times.de

Reborn as Country Resort

In September 2020, Camping De Papillon in the Netherlands changed ownership and thus also its name. Since then, the traditional site directly at the German-Dutch border has been called Papillon Country Resort. The change of ownership also brought several renovation and reconstruction measures, which unfortunately dragged on a bit due to the ongoing pandemic. Now it looks like, that most of the place will open on April 23^rd, the rest will follow at Whitsun. Until then, there is a new central building with restaurant, bar, small supermarket, reception, and conference room. New children's playgrounds are being built both outdoors and indoors, and the kids will get an off-road track with Mini Land Rovers. An outdoor fitness park is being created at the lakeside area, and in future there will also be a 9.5-meter-high slide into the lake. The rental accommodation area will be extensively upgraded with safari tents, luxury mobile homes and specially designed glamping accommodation. In our news we have already reported on the new pitches with private sanitary facilities. The innovations also include free Wi-Fi for all guests. More information: www.papilloncountryresort.com

News from Čikat

Despite of the challenging Covid-19 year 2020, Camp Čikat is investing heavily. In 2021, it includes 70 new pitches (31 in the comfort and 39 in the superior category), an outdoor sports facility with fitness and training equipment, a new playground and seven new employee accommodations. The new investments in Camp Čikat on the island of Lošinj confirm the status, recognized by prizes and awards, that the campsite has received in recent years. Further on, it proves the commitment to bring quality to an even higher level. In addition to the membership at the LeadingCampings of Europe and the award as ADAC ‘Superplatz’, the camping resort has also received the recognition of the magazine ‘Caravaning’ this year. It has ranked the site among the 10 best campsites in Croatia. With electricity, water and sewage connections, the new superior pitches offer absolute comfort to all guests travelling with a camper or caravan. They are large and spacious, located in the shade of pine trees providing a view over the sea. The new comfort pitches offer electricity and water connections. For those, who decide at short notice, Camp Cikat offers an attractive special Easter offer at https://www.camp-cikat.com/easter-at-the-cikat-campsite.aspx . At the time this newsletter went to press, entry into Croatia (including transit through Austria and Slovenia) was possible with a negative PCR test. However, please be sure to check the daily updated travel regulations.