Wānaka residents upset by freedom campers

In 1926, New Zealand saw its first caravan with a bathtub but no toilet. A century later, in Wanaka, a lack of facilities in campsites led to hundreds of complaints and a search for legislative solutions.

Almería is putting up physical barriers to keep motorhomers off its former fairground — while Turkey simply evicts them from the beach. Lightship is quadrupling its electric-caravan factory in Colorado, even as 50% of Italian motorhome renters turn out to be under 35. Plus 800 kg of hashish in a motorhome at the Spanish border, Anker's 800 W charger running off the alternator, and Carstay as the mobile HQ of a Tokyo festival — all in this issue.

New Zealand-based Tourism Holdings Ltd (THL) operates one of the world's largest RV and campervan rental fleets, dominating Oceania and North America. Rental income accounts for over 80% of its revenue.

Spain introduced new road sign S-128 and banned camper vans from parking near beaches. Germany responded with a 3.82-metre electric camper van — fits anywhere, furniture not included. JAL now rents out motorhomes from Narita with miles earned per rental. Storm Ali blowing a traveller's caravan off an Irish cliff, and the Outbound demo for PS5 — all in this issue.

ARI Motors released a camper van the size of a regular van — and it's now Germany's smallest production electric camper at €30,000. JAL decided its passengers hadn't traveled enough and offered a sequel: a motorhome pickup straight from Narita. The lawsuit against Stellantis over "cheat" diesel software, a yellow DHL van in the hands of a retiree, and 413 million campsite overnight stays across Europe — all in this issue.

Tourism Holdings Ltd, a New Zealand-based company, dominates the motorhome and RV rental market in Oceania and North America. Its business model combines seasonal rentals with the sale of used vehicles.