Car camping is denting China's hotels · VanLife Weekly #32
In China, car camping cut hotel revenue by 8.2%. Also: the Nissan Interstar-e Relax electric camper at €89,900 and an overnight ban in Llandudno.
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Last week in the motorhome world had plenty going on: in Britain, a £2 nightly tourist levy could raise the price of budget caravan holidays by 66–100%, Croatia became Europe's most expensive camping country at an average of €73–78 per night, Italy restricted motorhome access to Castelluccio during the flowering season, and in Brazil a convoy of 20 motorhomes and caravans set off on the Circuito Caminhos do Paraná route.
Britain is again debating a tourist levy: Labour mayors in up to 10 of England's 14 regions are considering a £2-per-person nightly charge, and that could become a real extra cost for low-cost caravan trips. According to industry estimates, the levy could increase the cost of budget holidays by 66–100%, especially for families choosing a caravan precisely because it is cheaper than a hotel.
The issue is not just the £2 figure itself, but how it adds up for a family and a longer trip. For two adults and two children, a week becomes dozens of pounds on top of the pitch, fuel, food, and the road. At an expensive hotel, that may barely register; in the budget caravan segment, it changes the whole trip calculation.
If the levy spreads widely, some travellers will shorten trips, choose less popular regions, or book pitches outside areas with the extra charge. For campsite owners, that is a risk: they may end up with fewer short family trips in season rather than more income.
If you are planning a trip through England with a caravan or motorhome, calculate the price not only per pitch but per person in your crew. On a short weekend, a £2 levy may look manageable, but on a week with children it quickly becomes its own budget line. Before booking, check whether the local levy is included in the final price or appears later. If your route is flexible, keep a backup region nearby without that charge: it can save more than a pitch discount. And if you travel in high season, book earlier and ask the site directly about any extra nightly fees.
Galicia, Spain, July. On 1 July, the anniversary Yakart Camino de Santiago route starts from A Coruña: 53 motorhomes and 120 participants will cross Galicia over 12 days and finish at Plaza del Obradoiro in Santiago de Compostela. It is a good reason to see the region not only as a walking pilgrimage route, but as a motorhome itinerary with the ocean, towns, and short driving days. Early July works well because the season is open, but August-level crowds have not arrived everywhere yet. If you have long wanted northern Spain but were not sure where to start, this is your prompt.
Two stories worth forwarding.
A camper that helps a sanctuary. In Somerset, Ferne Animal Sanctuary put a 2004 Citroen Berlingo camper up for a charity auction: the opening price is £10,000, and bidding ends on 30 June. It is a rare case where buying a small camper is also a donation.
Coffee from a 60-year-old caravan. In North Yorkshire, Rounton Coffee spent five months turning an old Viking Fibreline into a mobile coffee bar and is preparing to serve coffee all summer. A useful reminder that an old caravan can get a second life as well as any new build.
Because it is charged per person per night. For a family and a week-long trip, it is no longer symbolic; it becomes a clear addition to the pitch, fuel, and food budget.
Do not argue on site or assume "just one night" will be fine. Choose an official campsite or stopover in advance, and when unsure, call the site before arriving.
In early July, an organized 12-day route runs from A Coruña to Santiago, so the region fits naturally into a trip with short driving days and clear stops.
It suits people who want occasional nights in the vehicle without a full camper conversion. For long self-sufficient trips, a mattress and blinds alone will not be enough.
Yes. The Viking Fibreline that became a mobile coffee bar shows how old caravans can work as small businesses, display pieces, or charity projects.
This article was prepared by the OpenVan.camp editorial team. All rights reserved. Copyright information
Following the opening of the Sindopyeongdae Bridge connecting Sindo and Yeongjongdo islands, ferry operations ceased, and the Sindo terminal in Ongjin County, Incheon, has turned into a leisure area. At night, campers and other vehicles park there, while anglers fish against the backdrop of Incheon International Airport and Yeongjongdo's lights. Authorities are considering formalizing the site for camping and fishing, addressing safety and waste management.
Farmers Laëtitia and Pascal Dehosse from Grigneuseville, Seine-Maritime, have started renting out camper vans. They acquired two vehicles equipped with a kitchen, hot water shower, solar panels, and options such as a toilet and bike rack. According to the owners, the vans are no larger than a big car, making parking easy and avoiding extra toll costs. Rentals are available for couples, friends, and families.
Instagram user @douminfufu, who documents camper van travels, shared a meal inside the vehicle featuring local Fukui delicacies. The post has received over 758 likes. The article also includes data on average pension amounts by age.
On Saturday, the 15th, at 1 p.m., TV Aparecida's Retratos Femininos will host Juliani Felício, who travels by motorhome with her husband, Paulo. After Paulo's leukemia diagnosis in 2018, the couple reassessed their priorities and chose a life on the road. Juliani, a 48-year-old former financial market worker, now works as a travel creator and has visited 17 Brazilian states and 20 countries.
A British couple with eight-year-old twins spent a year traveling through Europe and Africa in a camper van. They shifted from homeschooling to 'world schooling,' focusing on experiences and discoveries during their travels, which significantly boosted the children's curiosity and confidence. Despite challenges with remote work and connectivity, the family grew closer and called the year the best of their lives.
According to calculations, owning a motorhome costs an average of 9,000 euros per year, excluding depreciation. This includes vehicle tax, insurance, maintenance, storage, and fuel. For example, for a 2019 diesel motorhome weighing 2,780 kg and valued at 50,000 euros, used 7 months a year, the annual tax amounts to 1,262 euros. The average price of a new motorhome exceeds 70,000 euros, while a used one ranges from 15,000 to 30,000 euros.
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