Luxembourg Campsites Had ‘Successful’ Season Despite Weather Challenges

Camprilux Asbl, Luxembourg’s association of camp site owners have reported a largely successful season, despite some weather-related challenges.

The early season and spring holidays saw an influx of visitors, and the main season went "well", according to Camprilux. While August brought less-than-ideal weather conditions, this had varied effects on campsite operators.

The pre-season kicked off on a high note, with beautiful weather playing a significant role in attracting guests, Camprilux noted. May, with its numerous public holidays, provided ample long weekends, drawing many visitors for short stays. Some campsites saw increased Dutch tourism due to the Netherlands' May holidays, further boosting their occupancy. June continued the trend with sunny weather, delighting campsite operators with additional guests.

According to Camprilux, the high season, spanning from mid-July to mid-August, was fully booked at most campsites, mirroring the previous year's performance. While many were satisfied with the summer season, visitor numbers did not always align with bookings. Some guests departed early due to rainy weather without informing the campsite operators, temporarily leaving empty spaces. Nevertheless, these vacant spots were quickly filled, indicating that weather is no longer the sole determinant for bookings.

However, reviewing the previous season, where good weather prevailed, it was clear that it played a significant role in occupancy rates and guest satisfaction. Families, especially those with children, tend to plan holidays during the summer months and seek indoor activities when the weather is less favourable.

Luxembourg's extensive network of hiking trails attracted backpackers and hikers, some of whom did not stay long at a single campsite due to their daily travel stages. Campsite operators had to be resourceful, offering overnight accommodations despite being fully booked to accommodate tired hikers. Hiking and cycling are increasingly popular leisure activities, with investments in new tourist offerings and accommodation quality assurance yielding results, the association noted. Trail offerings like the Müllerthal Trail, Lee Trail and Escapardenne were significant attractions.

Compared to the northern parts of France, Luxembourg continued to perform well in terms of occupancy rates. Proximity to guests' countries of origin, such as Belgium and the Netherlands, shorter travel distances and higher fuel prices in neighbouring countries might be contributing factors, according to the association. Additionally, according to Camprilux, growing environmental awareness and a desire to reduce carbon footprints played a significant role in campsite choices.

Climate is emerging as an important factor in vacation planning. Extreme heat and natural disasters in southern destinations prompted travellers to opt for destinations like Luxembourg with milder summer temperatures. Climate experts predicted further heatwaves and droughts in the south, which may drive tourists toward northern destinations in the future.

According to Camprilux, concerns such as traffic congestion and overcrowded beaches made travellers rethink their vacation choices, opting for closer destinations. The favourable weather from September to October extended the camping season for many sites. The first bookings for the next season are already underway and local campsite operators expressed optimism concerning the future.