If you want to take a holiday at one of the campsites in Saxony-Anhalt this year, you should secure a parking space early. "Usually we only have 100 percent occupancy at Pentecost, but this will often be the case with one or two of our colleagues this year," said the President of the Association of the Camping and Leisure Industry, Peter Ahrens.
If you want to stay, you should inquire and book quickly. The background to the increased demand is the corona pandemic.
Given that it is unclear whether international vacations can really take place in view of the global infection rate, the camping industry in the country is expecting significantly more German holidaymakers. The campsites, like holiday apartments, can again accommodate tourists from Friday. The two-week Pentecost holidays start on Monday.
Tourist overnight stays were previously prohibited for weeks. Saxony-Anhalt's black-red-green state government had shut down social life from mid-March and ordered the closure of most shops, service providers, cultural and leisure facilities, as well as schools and day-care centers. This was intended to slow down the spread of the novel corona virus. Because the number of infections in the country is very low after weeks of restrictions, the rules are gradually being relaxed.
"The phones glow" – uncertainty among campers
The demand for parking spaces on the camping facilities is great, said association leader Ahrens. "The phones are glowing." However, there is also great uncertainty among those wishing to book what is allowed and who is allowed to arrive.
Saxony-Anhalt initially only allows local vacationers. In addition, they must be able to supply themselves independently. For campsites this means: The caravans and campers must have their own kitchen and toilet and washing facilities. Classic camping is initially not possible.
Tourists from other federal states and abroad are prohibited from entering the country. Hotels and pensions should be allowed to open from May 22nd – only for Saxony-Anhalter. The cabinet wants to advise next week about opening up for guests from other federal states.
Rental of camping pitches important for business
The current opening permit for campsites helps despite the requirements, said Ahrens. "It helps everything that helps make sales and make money." The rental of parking spaces for caravans and mobile homes is the most important business for most providers than spaces for tents. In addition, there are now caravans and holiday bungalows for rent on many facilities. Although the industry is expecting more demand, the association believes that the lost business of the Corona closing time cannot be brought in.
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"We make a large part of our income at Easter, Pentecost and during the summer holidays," said Ahrens. "Easter is gone, but it would have really buzzed the cash register because of the nice weather." In addition, it is far from certain whether Saxon-Anhalt guests at Pentecost compensated tourists from outside. "But the year will not be as bad for us as we thought two weeks ago," said Ahrens.
Camping season has also started in Brandenburg
The camping season has also started in Brandenburg. Since Friday, campers have been allowed back on the pitch with their own mobile homes – around six weeks later than in other years. "We are extremely happy and extremely happy that a way has been opened for us to slowly start our vacation form again," said Jörg Klofski, Vice President of the Association of the Camping Industry in Brandenburg.
According to the requirements of the country, all holidaymakers must have their own sanitary facilities – communal toilets and shower rooms will remain closed until May 25th. And the country's corona regulation also applies when camping: guests must observe the general hygiene and clearance rules and, above all, stay in their pitches.
Many campers await Ascension
After many weeks of corona crisis and strict contact restrictions, many people use the good weather on Ascension to camp. According to managing director Mario Schwerke, the campsite on the Great Mochowsee in the Spreewald awaits many guests in the coming days. According to operator Kai Köllner, many campers should also come with their own caravans at Camping Wusterhausen. However, the usual tent groups of young people will be missing – because communal toilets and shower rooms must remain closed on May 25th due to the current Corona regulations. At Pentecost, however, his seat was "almost fully booked," said Köllner.
In many places, holidaymakers have to sign that they have no corona symptoms and that they know the applicable distance and hygiene rules. "Those who don't stick to it will be sent off the pitch," said Köllner. He sees the campsites as having a great responsibility for the entire tourism industry: "It would be a super meltdown if Corona breaks out on a square." That's why he also trained his employees. They should serve as role models for the guests.
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According to the operator, the campsite at Deulowitzer See in Lausitz was initially fully booked for Ascension. Many people with caravans and motorhomes would have suddenly canceled. Operator Steffen Krautz has an explanation for this. "Camping is a hype right now because everyone wants to get out," he said. Unfortunately, the campers would often book several places to have a choice.
Rush on campingplaces in NRW: "This is amazing"
The campsite operators in North Rhine-Westphalia are also experiencing an unusual rush for the upcoming long Ascension Weekend. Nationwide, the places are almost fully booked, said association chairman Leo Ingenlath. There are also an unusually large number of bookings for the summer holidays, for example for two-week stays.
The Ascension weekend has always been at its peak, said the chairman of the association with 130 member companies. "But what's going on this year is insane." At his campsite on the Lower Rhine alone, booking inquiries such as on the assembly line would come in, which he had to cancel.
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"People don't want to drive far away anymore"
"People don't want to drive far away anymore, they want to stay in their own state," Ingenlath concluded from many discussions. In the Corona crisis, they wanted more security. This included campers who normally drive to the Netherlands or Belgium, but are now switching to NRW.
Bookings for the summer vacation have already been received, the head of the association said. Including an unusually large number for several weeks. This applies not only to the parking spaces for mobile homes or caravans, but also to the accommodation in the often small houses that are on the spaces.
Rhineland-Palatinate: campingseats welcome the first guests again
After a two-month mandatory break due to the corona pandemic, many campsites in Rhineland-Palatinate have reopened since Monday. "Starting today," said the manager of the Knaus Campingpark Koblenz / Rhein-Mosel, Sven Holzmann. "The run is here, the pre-announcements are there." Already in the first morning hours, the place had 30 vehicles.
There is also brisk demand in the Palatinate – for the Ascension and Whitsun weekends, for example, the Wappenschmiede campsite in St. Martin (Southern Wine Road) reported: "We are fully booked." A campsite operator criticized the fact that there is uncertainty under the current state ordinance as to whether sanitary facilities for the pitches could now be opened or not. The campsite in the Klingenbach Valley in the Vorderpfalz stated on its website that initially only "self-sufficient vehicles" could be accommodated.
Read more about traveling and camping in the times of Corona:
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With the first easing of the Corona measures, camping in Germany is possible again. However, certain rules apply in the various federal states, which operators and campers must adhere to. We show what you have to consider in which region.