Freedom when traveling is, for many, a key element today. During recent years, the use of motorhomes, camper vans and caravans has increased considerably due to the advantages they offer: visiting less touristy destinations, enjoying an idyllic environment or the flexible organization of a holiday. But which option best suits the user’s needs? Is it better to buy or rent? That will depend, precisely, on what the traveler wants for itinerant tourism.
These doubts can be resolved at the Caravaning Show, which will be held from this Saturday, October 7th to next October 15th at the Gran Via venue. Organized by Fira de Barcelona, ??with the collaboration of Aseicar (Spanish Association of Caravaning Industry and Commerce) and Gremcar (Grould of Caravaning Entrepreneurs of Catalonia), the show puts a thousand vehicles on sale in an edition that aims to objective to open to new users.
The latest data provided by Aseicar confirms that during this month of September, 310 new motorhomes and campers have been sold in Spain, 34.8% more than in the same month of 2022. The two vehicles already share 50% of sales. that, between January and September of this year, 2,042 motorhomes and 2,055 campers have been sold in the country.
In this way, the Caravaning Show faces its most complete edition in terms of number of exhibitors – 15% more than in the last edition – and sample vehicles, occupying 35,000 square meters in pavilions 3, 4 and 5 of the Gran Vía venue.
The president of the show and of Aseicar, José Manuel Jurado, assures that they have noticed “a lot of expectation from the public who comes to the Caravaning to discover a different form of outdoor tourism.” Jurado points out that the sector “has a future ahead” but regrets that the difficulties come from financing. “They are a little high and it not only affects us, we need it to stabilize and that would help us all,” adds the head of Aseicar.
Caravaning is a showcase where you can learn about the latest news, trends and even a way to get into this type of tourism. For this reason, the show also offers an advice area for new users, one of the new features this year that will allow visitors to attend presentations and have personalized attention to obtain all the information they need.
The largest space in the Caravaning Show will be dedicated to motorhomes and caravans. In pavilions 3 and 4 of the Gran Vía venue, the new season’s news will be announced thanks to the main brands in the sector. “We are going to break all attendance records,” says Ramon Tarradellas, manager of Erwin Hymer Group, with conviction, “we offer all types of motorhomes or caravans, travellers, more residential ones or small campers. There is space for those who want to buy or for those who are entering the sector and prefer to rent to try. “We offer all types of vehicles to all types of families,” says Tarradellas.
“People are eager to see new things and it is clear that there is interest in the sector, whether for cultural or more sporting tourism,” says Joan Mata, from M3 Caravaning. With brands such as Knaus, Weinsberg or Fendt, they offer different models that can be seen during Caravaning week.
The exhibition dedicated to itinerant travel dedicates special attention this year to the camper van sector. The growth it is experiencing has led several companies to invest in the conversion of these vehicles to adapt them to the needs of travelers. Drop Camper, FURGOK, and Tinkervan, among others, are on display at the show, and large car brands that are betting on camperization such as Ford, Mercedes Benz, Nissan, Skoda and Toyota join the proposal. Pavilion 5 will be dedicated to this sector, more extensive than in previous editions.
One of the exhibitors was born with an eye directly on the camper. “Versatility and freedom is what has made it boom now,” says Aitor Senosiain, manager of FURGOK, “we offer a different vehicle with innovation and quality.”
In this same space, you can also find the offer of different elements related to camping. Trailers, tents, trailers and the necessary accessories that will be displayed in the room.
In the field of itinerant tourism, those destined for adventure have more and more followers. For this reason, and after the good reception in recent editions, the show once again exhibits off-road vehicles through Overland. A dozen camperized 4x4s can be seen during these days in Barcelona, ??as well as a space intended to show all kinds of accessories for off-road tourism.
The new way of traveling is not just about being able to sleep during the road trip. On an area of ??800 square meters, the room incorporates, as a novelty, a sample of what are known as tiny houses. This is a booming sector that consists of prefabricated structures that are usually used as accommodation in campsites, independent houses or studios. There are various types and in Caravaning two examples that are now on the rise will be exhibited, such as the modular houses of Cubic House, which are made from freight containers, the geodesic domes of Domo Domo, or the homes built on trailers of Noma Tiny Home.
With the aim of attracting all types of audiences, the Caravaning Show has prepared several activities. One of them, Travelvaning, is a space where all those who want to share their experiences and learn from other travelers can do so. Through talks on all types of routes or round tables where the best destinations are presented, attendees have the opportunity to learn about camping, the vanlife movement or share the advantages and disadvantages of traveling alone, with family or with pet animals. The Travelvaning program also includes the presentation of the first report on the sector’s carbon footprint.
Just like the motorhome trip, visiting the show is an experience for the whole family. For this reason, Caravaning Kids will offer all kinds of entertainment for the little ones. A giant table football, inflatables or hurdle-jumping attractions will make it easy for families who attend the Gran Vía venue.
And so as not to go hungry, Gastrovaning will allow visitors to make a stop along the way through a gastronomic offer through 10 vintage food trucks that are installed on the premises.
