Municipalities Should Not Compete with Camping Companies

Swedish manufacturer Polar has unveiled the new luxury travel trailer Chimera 650 BQDA, which will join the Chimera lineup for the 2027 model year. The 8.55-meter tandem-axle trailer offers sleeping space for 2–5 people, a full premium equipment package, and is designed for year-round use. Base price is €93,390.

Mercedes will showcase a new, more luxurious version of its Marco Polo camper at the Elmia Husvagn Husbil fair in Jönköping next weekend. The vehicle is described by Mercedes as a "glamping car," focusing on luxury and comfort rather than price. The four-seat Marco Polo, based on the V-Class, features swiveling seats, a pop-up aluminum roof with improved insulation, an awning, a kitchen, a convertible sofa for two, and LED lighting. All functions, including heating and the roof, are controlled via a control panel. Air suspension can level the vehicle on uneven ground. A more affordable entry-level model, the Marco Polo Horizon, seats seven and lacks a kitchen, costing nearly 200,000 SEK less. The price of the new model exceeds one million SEK.

On September 10, Elmia in Jönköping will host a seminar titled 'Mobile Living as Destination Development', organized by the Swedish Caravan and Motorhome Industry Association (HRF). The event will discuss how campsites and motorhome parking areas can evolve from mere parking spots into strategic parts of destination infrastructure. HRF surveys show that 59% of Swedes have vacationed with a caravan or motorhome, with average family spending estimated at 1,087 Swedish kronor per overnight stay. The seminar is free, and journalists are invited to attend and request interviews.

The new version of the Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo will have its Swedish premiere at the Elmia Husvagn Husbil show from September 9-13. The model features a new pop-up roof made of lightweight aluminum with improved insulation and an extra 10 cm of headroom, adjustable LED lighting, and a skylight. A new sound system with eight speakers and a subwoofer is also included, controlled via Mercedes-Benz Advanced Control. The new Marco Polo starts at SEK 1,014,500, while the entry-level Marco Polo Horizon starts at SEK 817,375.

Emma Nissen, a resident of Norrtälje, has written to the local newspaper highlighting the lack of designated motorhome parking in the town center. She notes that other coastal towns have such facilities, but Norrtälje does not. Nissen suggests creating parking at Kärleksudden, near the new guest harbor, and by the music school, pointing out that motorhome owners are willing to pay 250–500 SEK per night and benefit local businesses.

According to the Swedish Caravan and Motorhome Industry Association, new motorhome registrations in Sweden rose by more than 50% in the first eight months of 2026 compared with the same period last year. The leading brands are Adria, Pilote and Bürstner, with a combined market share of 25%. Bürstner nearly tripled its registrations in a year, while Knaus saw a 10% decline. Caravan registrations also increased, but by only 5%.