The range of camper vans and caravans available has never been so wide and diverse as in 2003. At C-B-R 2003, the…
The range of camper vans and caravans available has never been so wide and diverse as in 2003. At C-B-R 2003, the 34th Caravan-Boat-Travel Market Exhibition, which takes place from Saturday 15 to Sunday 23 February 2003 at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre, visitors will be able to not only see all the latest trends and developments in mobile homes, but also enjoy lots of entertainment and displays.
Many holidaymakers are questioning whether it is really necessary to travel far afield, especially when there are lots of opportunities for caravanning holidays nearer home. And indeed this type of holiday is becoming more and more popular – according to statistics from the German Tourism Office, one in five overnight stays in the most popular German holiday region of Bavaria is on one of the camping sites. Moreover the trend is upwards. Holidays in the countryside have long been a top favourite among holidaymakers, because of the tremendous advantages these holidays offer in terms of nature, comfort and lack of any stress. Visitors to C-B-R 2003 can take a look at this field for themselves in Halls A3, A4 and B4.
Camping in the 21st century is a very pleasant way of spending one`s holidays or leisure time, and just one glance at the camper vans and caravans on display at the fair will bear this out straight away. These latest leisure vehicles offer the kind of comforts that you even a hotel room would be proud to boast: separate showers, automatic heating controls, comfortable beds, TV reception by satellite and a fridge that can equal any minibar. All of this is no exception in many camper vans, but part of the standard equipment. The best aspect, of course, is the fact that you can take this comfortable room with you on your travels, with no need for all that tiresome packing and unpacking of luggage, however many times you change location. A caravan is always like a piece of your own home, but on four wheels. Travellers can immediately feel at home in them, whether they are at the North Cape, in Brittany or in Greece.
The days when caravanning was only a poor person`s option are long gone. Nowadays, the purchaser of a new caravan, according to data from the Caravanning Industry Association of Germany (Caravaning Industrie Verband – CIVD), invests an average of 50,000 euros. When on the road, too, caravanners spend more than the average holidaymaker, and they spend more time away and go on holiday more often. This has led to more and more cities and local communities taking a favourable view of holidaymakers in caravans and camper vans, and making special camping and parking areas available for them.
The facilities at campsites, of which in Bavaria alone there are 368, offering space for around 33,000 caravans and camper vans, have also improved considerably in recent years. Now, in many places, electricity and water connections are standard, and on some sites, guests even have connections to cable TV, telephone and even to a waste water system. On many sites, guests can also hire their own bath – which is nothing short of five-star comfort right in the middle of the countryside. Exhibitors in the caravanning halls – A3, A4 and B4 – at C-B-R will be telling visitors about how and where they can take advantage of these offers. In Hall A3, a 1,000 square-metre mock-up of a camp site will be set up, where present and would-be caravanners can get a taste of the atmosphere. Special displays are also being organised to appeal to visitors, such as a `Camping Oldies Club` a Legoland children`s play corner, and a beer garden.
One other major attraction of campsites is of course their appeal to families, an aspect that is as true today as it ever was. Here children can run around and play to their hearts content, and easily make contact with other children. In peak holiday periods, there are even programmes of events organised especially for the kids.
Families in particular will find a very attractive range of tents and caravans at C-B-R 2003: children always enjoy the excitement of sleeping in bunk beds. The price of one of these caravans starts at around 8,000 euros. But those with a taste for a bit more luxury can spend as much as 25,000 euros. In camper vans, too, prices have remained relatively stable over the year: easy-to-handle, but well equipped vehicles for two people start at around 25,000 euros. When it comes to more expensive camper vans, the sky`s the limit really. The most expensive series models on show at C-B-R 2003 cost around 300,000 euros. And if you want it really exclusive, then you can even have one custom-built for around one million euros. In Germany purchasers of mobile homes can choose from around 1,000 different models. All the key suppliers on the market will be at C-B-R 2003 at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre.
Some manufacturers will again be making use of this important leisure exhibition in Bavaria to present their latest models. One company – Knaus from Jandelsbrunn in Bavaria – will be bringing along its latest top model to C-B-R 2003. Their `Sunliner` model is what`s known as an integrated mobile home, with a custom-made body moulded in one; from 15 and 23 February 2003 in Munich the company will be showing several differently fitted vehicles. Another premiere is taking place at the stand of camper van manufacturers Hehn, in Hall A4. They will be launching their partly-integrated model, `Top Star`.
One other feature that will become evident at C-B-R is that the range of camper vans and caravans is not only more varied, but more colourful. More and more of these leisure vehicles are now available from the factory in a range of different colours. Colourful caravans and mobile homes are a welcome change from the standard white versions seen on many campsites. According to the Caravan Industry Association, the most popular colours this year are blue, silver and champagne.
As for what to do when you`ve got your caravan or camper van, there will of course be lots of ideas at the information stands of campsite operators from Germany and abroad, and also at the stands of the German motorists association, the ADAC, and the German Camping Club, who will be publishing their new campsite guides in time for the fair. These thick tomes contain lots of campsite addresses and details from all over Europe. One country that is enjoying increasing popularity with caravanners, despite being a long way off, is Turkey, the partner country of C-B-R this year. More and more campsites are being set up there.
In 2001, around 3.5 million overnight stays were registered at campsites in Bavaria. This figure does not include the long-term campers who keep their caravans on the site all year round. This level of popularity puts Bavaria at the top of the table of favourite camping destinations in Germany, ahead of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Lower Saxony.
Just how popular caravan holidays have become, was investigated in a study commissioned by the Caravanning Industry Association of Germany from a research company specialising in holidays and travel: the results showed that 13 million German citizens would consider spending a holiday on a campsite. Around six million liked the idea of travelling with a camper van or caravan. At C-B-R visitors will find lots of offers to cater for these wishes: many caravan-hire companies will be there, promoting their attractive offers. But with luck, some visitors will be able to get free hire of a mobile home, or a free stay on a campsite – if they are fortunate enough to win one of the attractive prizes of holidays or camping equipment on offer each day of the fair on the Caravanning Stage in Hall A3.
Caravan manufacturers are looking forward with great optimism to the 2003 holiday season. Following 2002, when the general economic downturn led to a six percent decline in new registrations of camper vans, the manufacturers and the retail trade are now hoping to repeat the success of 2001. And the signs look good so far, for throughout Europe in 2002, more high-quality camper vans were registered than ever before.
Messe Munchen will be smiling in particular on those who travel to C-B-R 2003 in their own camper vans.
C-B-R 2003 takes place from Saturday, 15 to Sunday, 23 February 2003 at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre. It is open each day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
