From 1 January to 31 August 2026, the IAT office in Santarcangelo di Romagna handled 18,611 contacts, up 2,731 from the same period in 2025. During the summer months (June–August), contacts reached 8,021, compared with 6,760 a year earlier. Guided tours from January to August totalled 13,695, an increase of 3,024 over 2025; in summer alone, 5,397 tours were conducted, averaging 59 per day. The motorhome area on via Della Resistenza recorded over 4,000 campers in eight months (about 500 per month), split almost evenly between Italian and foreign visitors, mainly from Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
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Antilope Van has presented the Flex 2 2026 camper based on the Renault Trafic L1H1. The camper without a pop-up roof is priced from 46,900 euros, with the Confort version at 49,900 euros. It offers a 1.95 m by 1.30 m bed, a kitchen with a 30-litre compressor fridge, an outdoor shower and a portable toilet. A 60 Ah lithium battery, 1,200 W inverter, 200 W solar panels and 40/20-litre water tanks provide up to three days of off-grid autonomy. The Flex 3 with a pop-up roof starts at 54,900 euros, and the Confort at 57,900 euros. Since 2021, over 1,500 camper vans have been produced, with a new factory near Caen planned for early 2027.
A study by the German research institute Ifeu found that a hotel night generates 22.1 kg of CO₂ equivalent per person, compared to 1.8 kg for a night in a camper van at a parking area. According to Ergo, the camper format produces 70% of the CO₂ emissions of a traditional car trip with a hotel stay. A survey of 52 affiliated dealers by Assocamp showed that for 63.5% of operators, the integration of solar panels, inverters and lithium batteries is the determining factor in purchasing a vehicle. The data and the guide 'Con il camper puoi' will be presented at the Salone del Camper 2026 in Parma starting 12 September.
In 2025, open-air tourism in Italy surpassed 74 million overnight stays, generating an estimated 8.5 billion euros in direct and indirect revenue. The 17th edition of the Salone del Camper will take place from September 12 to 20 at Fiere di Parma, featuring vehicles, accessories, and travel routes. Organizers highlight increasing demand for nature-based and wellness travel.
In Caprarica di Lecce, €33 million from the national fund for motorhome tourism remain unused after the first tender for managing a new motorhome area attracted no bids. Mayor Paolo Greco will meet with representatives of the VIC Salento association to discuss how to make the next tender more attractive to operators. The main issue is the requirement for prior experience in managing similar facilities, which limits the number of participants.
Open-air tourism in Italy reached a record 74 million overnight stays in 2025 across 2,600 campsites and holiday villages, generating €8.5 billion in revenue. Germany remains the main source market with 45% of stays, while Veneto, as the leading region, contributes €1.7 billion, about 27% of the region's tourism business. Demand for bungalows and glamping is rising, and the season is extending into autumn.
From September 12 to 20, Parma and Emilia-Romagna will host two complementary events: BikeUP Travel Days within the Salone del Camper and BikeUP Festival at Parco della Cittadella. Visitors can test Urban, Gravel, and eBike Inclusive bicycles for free, as well as participate in Tesla Model 3 and Model Y test drives. The program includes bike mechanics and biomechanics courses, BMX workshops for children, e-bike and cargo bike tours. A highlight will be BikeUP Cargo Days, Italy's only event dedicated to cargo bikes and inclusive mobility.
On September 8, the new camper area 'Venere Verde' opened in Parrano with institutional funding. Officials highlighted tourism's role in municipal development and combating isolation.
In the September 9 episode, the couple announced their wedding at Marina di Venezia campsite. Setty's mother sewed the dress, her father will sing. Other campers build a mini-campsite with a Carrera track.
Italian manufacturer Laika has presented the Kreos Integrale H 5109 MB at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf 2026, the first model in its Kreos range to be built exclusively on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 417 chassis. The motorhome features a 170 hp engine, 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission, and AL-KO chassis. Interior trim includes walnut wood and eco-leather, with three exterior design options developed by GFG Style. The vehicle offers a kitchen with three burners and a 153-liter refrigerator, a separate bathroom with shower, two sleeping areas, and a 25 cm double floor.
In the Manghen Pass area, on the border between Val di Fiemme and Valsugana, in Val Cadino, about 2-3 km from Molina di Fiemme, illegal camping took place: tents were set up, motorhomes and minivans were parked, and a fire was lit. Mayor Marco Larger of Castello Molina di Fiemme said this is extremely dangerous as the fire is near the forest and could cause a wildfire. Overnight stays are prohibited in this zone, and the sites are not equipped for camping.
A caravan was destroyed by fire in Coriano on Via Ca' Turchi. Preliminary reports suggest arson involving old furniture. No injuries.
In Rimini, a man lit a fire to burn furniture, and the flames spread to a parked caravan, completely destroying it. The incident occurred in the area where the owner lived, who tried to extinguish the fire himself before firefighters arrived. The cause of the fire and the damage are being clarified.
A large fire broke out yesterday afternoon on Via Zaffo in Brazzolo di Copparo, destroying about six caravans parked near a farm. Firefighters from Ferrara and provincial detachments took nearly three hours to extinguish the blaze and prevent it from spreading to adjacent fields. No one was inside the caravans, but they may have been used by farm laborers. The cause is under investigation, and local police closed the road as a precaution.
Italian company Cubivan presented its CCS modular system at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, which slides out of the rear of a van and unfolds into a full living space with kitchen, toilet and shower. The sleeping area is located in a hard rooftop pod. The system will be available for Ford Tourneo Custom, Volkswagen Caravelle and Mercedes Vito. Sales are planned for 2027, with the complete kit priced between €22,000 and €25,000.
The Ispro Toscana camper, parked since July outside the sports hall in Calenzano, was vandalized overnight. An operator found the door lock forced open, overturned furniture, damaged work materials, and a computer with broken keys. As a result, women scheduled for mammograms at the mobile unit could not undergo the exam. Ispro director Simona Dei said services would resume the next day, while regional councilor Monia Monni condemned the act, stressing the importance of early breast cancer prevention.
From Sept 12 to 20, Parma hosts the 17th Salone del Camper: over 110,000 sqm of exhibits, new RVs and caravans, plus events with Tony Cairoli and a project by Hervé Barmasse.
Italian manufacturer Mobilvetta presented the new K-Yacht 79 Tekno Design 2027 motorhome on a 4.5-ton Fiat Ducato chassis at the Dusseldorf Caravan Salon 2026. The model is 7.56 m long and 2.35 m wide, powered by a 180 hp engine with automatic transmission. Prices start at €144,900.
Roller Team has introduced a special Black Edition of its popular Kronos line. Seven floorplans feature a black Citroën Jumper base vehicle with a silver motorhome body, black accents and alloy wheels. The base 288 TL version is powered by a 140 hp engine with manual transmission; a 180 hp version with automatic gearbox is available at extra cost. Inside, there is an L-shaped seating area for six, an electrically adjustable drop-down bed, a full bathroom and a 152-liter compressor fridge. The base price is 71,490 euros, but standard equipment is rather basic, with many options offered in packages.
Since this summer, the municipality of Castelrotto has enforced new regulations for motorhome parking in the Alpe di Siusi area, aiming to penalize those who stop where prohibited or harm the environment. The mayor expressed satisfaction. A proposal to increase fines and create equipped camper areas was not taken up by the municipality.
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