Armed conflicts, hantavirus, inflation: summer attendance in outdoor hotels is on the rise in Est-Var

As the summer season approaches, everything is ready in the campsites of Est-Var to welcome holidaymakers. And the coming summer looks good: “We are seeing a general increase in attendance. Customers also come to us because it is cheaper. At the moment, there are very good prices compared to hotels or apartment rentals. People are looking for more freedom, especially for children.” underlines Michel Nore, president of the Var open-air hotel union.

The nerve of war, the cost of vacations also weighs in the balance, “In particular the price of food. Shops like supermarkets, a lot of people tell me that it’s very expensive, that’s really the blocking part!” report Michel Nore. Même au restaurant du camping, “People often only go to a restaurant once, either at the very beginning or at the very end of their stay. They had been there at least twice before.” he adds.

So obviously external activities are also being scaled back. “We see that people tend to move much less. Outings to visit the Verdon gorges are in sharp decline, for example. People tend to stay inside the campsite, they go to the swimming pools, they go to shows, they go to activities, they go to the kids’ club. But they are not going to go on various and multiple outings as they usually do. We see it in the number of cars leaving and returning every day, which has decreased by at least 30%!” explains the president of the Var open-air hotel union.

European attendance on short stays

In the campsites of Est-Var, the large bridges in May set a trend for short stays “Three or four days. There are few stays of one week to ten days, this was more the case in April with foreigners who were in greater numbers than usual. We saw Germans, Belgians, Dutch people who came down to spend their holidays in the sun after all the bad weather they had during the winter. And it’s not the price of fuel that slowed them down! » details Michel Nore.

For the months of July and August, reservations are a little ahead of schedule. And the president of the Var open-air hotel union clarified: “This is explained by two phenomena. The demand for linear rental by tour operators has resulted in a stronger demand for mobile homes and accommodation than in other years. This puts us quite significantly ahead in terms of turnover. But we are also ahead in direct rentals.”

So the establishments are stocking up. “In August, many campsites are practically fullrejoices Michel Nore, There is still space left for the month of July but it fills up especially with last minute customers who book based on the forecast weather. Many stays of a week or even fifteen days. Sometimes three weeks but that’s becoming rare.”

Difficult economic situation

With inflation at 3.4% in 2026 nationally, “Rentals of small boats, kayaks, pedal boats or windsurfing boards are being reduced for customers. So I understand that there are taxes that fall on us, additional costs, salaries that we are obliged to increase a little, that cuts into the margin a little but if we increase the prices too much today, the turnover will be affected and the margin is at the end of the season! On average, the increase in rates in campsites does not exceed 3%, and is generally between 2 and 2.5%.” slips the president of the Var open-air hotel union.

Between the hantavirus which has invaded certain cruise ships and the geopolitical climate, campsites are doing well. “This encourages us not to take the boat. We had people who gave up on a trip to tour the Mediterranean, that’s repatriated people to us to spend the holidays. The war in Ukraine and the Gulf does not encourage people to take the plane to go far! » reports Michel Nore. This year, a wealthy clientele has set its sights on outdoor accommodation. Assets to achieve an interesting season.

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Agay Soleil late ready for the season

At the bend of the avenues lined with majestic pines, the Agay Soleil campsite is revealed. Breathtaking sea view, beachside site, the family establishment has no shortage of assets. After a successful month of April, the customers became a little more discreet. “Compared to last year’s schedule there are holes. We also have many more requests for short stays. We have a lot of Germans, and a few more French people than usual. With inflation, not leaving the country may have been favored by some customers. We also have Dutch people at the moment. The English and Italians come more in July and August » explains Adrien Maurisse, director of the establishment.

After this hollow, “In June, we feel that there are more people and that the customers have arrived. July to September are always good months! Despite inflation, we have contained the increase by going from 24 to 25 euros per night. You shouldn’t raise the prices too much, we’re in a campsite and some people have a limited budget.” underlines Adrien Meurisse. In a tent, camper van, mobile home or chalet, the outdoor accommodation season is ready to take off.