20^th Croatian Camping Congress

Croatian camping has entered a new era. Campsites have invested heavily in facilities and quality, while camper expectations and travel behaviour continue to evolve.

By exploring changing camper needs, the evolution of campsite facilities, destination image, pricing trends and developments across the European camping market, this presentation assesses Croatia's position relative to competing destinations.

It identifies the key opportunities and challenges for future growth and offers inspiration through innovative ideas and emerging trends from the international camping industry.

Ramon van Reine has been CEO of ACSI for several decades, having taken over the family business from his father, Ed van Reine. Under Ramon’s leadership, ACSI has grown to become one of the European market leaders in the camping industry, with a strong focus on digitalisation, product innovation and expanding its business activities.

Throughout his career, he has developed several products and concepts that have had a lasting impact on the camping industry. He also regularly speaks at international conferences, where he shares his experience and insights with tourism professionals and inspires them to drive the camping sector forward.

Increasingly, guests are asking AI about your campsite before they ask you. A question about a baby cot in a mobile home, shade on a pitch or a late arrival gets an answer in seconds – the only problem is that the answer didn’t come from the campsite.

For this presentation, research was conducted in which four leading AI assistants were asked 100 questions about Croatian campsites across five key source markets. Nearly 2.000 responses were collected, with every statement about an individual campsite checked against actual data and all cited sources analysed.

The results show where Croatian campsites are visible, how often guests get their information from third parties, and what happens when information about a campsite simply doesn’t exist anywhere – yet the guest still receives a confident answer. The presentation offers concrete figures, real examples and simple steps campsites can take themselves – without investing in new technology.

Alen Salamun is co-founder and director of Gaveia, a Novigrad-based company founded in 2015 that brings together the brands AdriaCamps, Avtokampi.si, MeinMobilheim.de and VillasGuide.com. Gaveia develops its own technology systems for accommodation search, online bookings, guest support, payment processing and sales automation, with an increasing focus on the use of artificial intelligence.

With more than 20 years of experience in tourism and technology, Alen focuses on digital distribution, guest behaviour and data structuring in the camping sector. He is particularly interested in developing digital solutions and using technology to improve business processes.

Climate change is no longer a distant issue for the camping industry. Rising temperatures, extreme rainfall, wildfires and other weather events are already affecting destinations and campsite operations across Europe – although not everywhere in the same way.

This presentation will focus on practical examples of how campsite operators are adapting to these changes and developing solutions that can help their businesses become more resilient. Through real-life experiences from different parts of Europe, it will showcase how campsites are adapting their landscapes, infrastructure and everyday management practices to respond to the challenges of climate change.

From wildfire prevention to creating cooler and more comfortable outdoor environments, these examples demonstrate that climate adaptation can also generate environmental, operational and business benefits. The focus will be on practical experiences, lessons learned and solutions that campsite operators can apply and adapt to their own campsites and destinations.

Paolo Galvani is an Italian professional journalist with over 40 years of experience in technology and outdoor tourism. He is Editor-in-Chief of Camping Business and Mobile Home Business, and Managing Editor of Camper Professional Italia.

He also contributes to Aboutcamp BtoB. His work focuses on innovation, sustainability and business trends in the outdoor hospitality sector.

Seasonality, staff shortages, multigenerational teams and ever-increasing guest expectations are among the everyday challenges faced by campsite managers.

This session presents 10 practical and immediately applicable steps for more effective team management and organisation – from setting clear expectations and ensuring effective communication to motivating employees, developing managers and retaining top talent.

The focus is on practical tools and real-life situations from the tourism industry, with no unnecessary theory, aimed at building more efficient, accountable and motivated teams.

Branimir Blajić is a hotel manager, consultant and lecturer with more than 25 years of experience in tourism and hospitality. Throughout his career, he has held senior management positions and worked with leading hospitality companies, including Milenij Hotels, Sunčani Hvar and LifeClass Terme Sveti Martin.

Today, he focuses on the management and development of tourism projects, consulting, and education in the fields of management, leadership and human resources.

In a market research study conducted in collaboration with a German university, PiNCAMP surveyed several thousand campers in Germany and the Netherlands. At the conference at Terme Tuhelj, Uwe Frers will present the results to the public for the first time.

In addition to insights into travel and booking behavior, the presentation will also introduce a new model for clustering campers. The data includes both a general overview of the overall market and valuable insights specific to the Croatian market.

This is supplemented by data on demand trends from Germany and the Netherlands, as well as an outlook on expectations for the season 2027.

Uwe Frers (58) has 28 years of management experience in the online industry, 21 of which are in tourism. During his entrepreneurial career, he founded and sold three startups. Since October 2017, he has been the CEO of ADAC Camping GmbH, responsible for camping activities at ADAC SE, as well as for the development of the PiNCAMP online booking portal.

In January 2024, the Dutch ANWB and the Swiss TCS became additional shareholders in the company, with Uwe Frers continuing to lead the international joint venture as the CEO. Since May 2024 PiNCAMP has also been operating the Dutch portal anwbcamping.nl.

How have the booking habits of guests staying at Croatian campsites changed over the past ten years? When do they book, how far in advance, how do they respond to pricing, and what changes can be identified in the data?

This session provides an overview of the evolution of online bookings in Croatian camping over the past decade, based on data collected through the PHOBS system.

The focus is on key changes in guest behaviour, demand trends and pricing strategies, supported by concrete data and comparisons that can help camps make informed business decisions for the future.

Vlaho Mihač is Head of Customer Success at PHOBS, where he focuses on client relationships, business growth and enhancing the customer experience.

He has been with PHOBS for more than ten years, with experience spanning strategic account management, product presentations, training and on-site support. He is also a regular speaker at industry and academic events.

Cybersecurity threats are becoming an increasingly common part of everyday business, particularly for tourism providers who regularly use email, online booking platforms and digital tools, while also handling guests’ personal data.

In this presentation, the National CERT will present the most common cybersecurity threats that tourism providers may encounter, including phishing messages, fake booking requests and attempts to steal user credentials and data. Through practical examples, participants will learn how to identify potential scams, use booking platforms and email securely, and protect user accounts, devices and guest data.

Particular attention will be given to simple and practical measures that can significantly reduce the risk of cyberattacks, as well as to the appropriate steps to take in case of a suspected cybersecurity incident. The presentation will provide practical advice for safer digital business practices and better protection of personal and financial data in everyday operations.

Jakov Kiš is Head of the User Awareness and Education Department within the National CERT Sector. He holds a degree in National Security from the Faculty of Political Science at the University of Zagreb.

He has been working at CARNET since 2019 and joined the National CERT Sector in 2021, where he focuses on cybersecurity at the national level. His work focuses on raising awareness and knowledge of cybersecurity, developing educational content and delivering training, as well as participating in numerous national and international projects and collaborations.

How can campsites successfully navigate the green transition while remaining competitive and resilient? This presentation will showcase practical measures from the guide Green Transition in Camping and provide an update on the ongoing revision of the EU Ecolabel criteria for tourist accommodation services.

Participants will gain insights into future sustainability requirements, developments in certification schemes, and examples of good practice in environmentally responsible campsite management. Particular attention will be given to energy efficiency, resource conservation and practical opportunities for further developing sustainable campsite operations.

Martin Rolletschek is a qualified environmental engineer (Dipl.-Ing. FH), specializing in environmental technology and renewable energy. He works as an auditor and environmental and energy consultant at ECOCAMPING Service GmbH in Germany.

In his professional practice, he supports campsites and tourism businesses in implementing and improving environmental and sustainability management systems, including certification processes such as the EU Ecolabel. His work focuses on energy efficiency, resource conservation and sustainable business development. Through consultancy, training and auditing, he contributes to raising environmental standards and promoting sustainable practices across the camping industry.

The choice of a campsite increasingly begins long before a guest visits your website. Search engines, booking platforms, reviews and recommendations determine which campsites even make it onto their radar.

But how much influence do you still have over that decision-making process – and where are you missing opportunities?

This presentation explores how you can actively shape your visibility, positioning and the digital guest journey. Because while the algorithm may influence the choice, ultimately you want to determine why guests choose your campsite.

Peter Doornekamp is General Manager and owner of Campingnavigator and has been active in the European camping industry for nearly two decades. With a strong background in online marketing and digital publishing, Peter has developed an in-depth understanding of how campers search, compare and choose their holiday destinations.

Under his leadership, Campingnavigator has expanded beyond its core camping platform into a broader network of specialised websites, including Glamping.nl, Kids-campings.com and several destination-focused travel portals.

Working closely with campsites, industry partners and tourism organisations across Europe, Peter is particularly interested in changing consumer behaviour, digitalisation and the challenges and opportunities facing campsite operators.

Doc. Dr. Josipa Cvelić Bonifačić is an expert in tourism management and the camping industry. With extensive experience in market trend research and the development of sustainable tourism concepts, she is particularly distinguished for her work on service quality optimization and guest needs analysis.

Her lectures provide valuable insights into adapting the camping sector to new challenges, aligning with global standards, and transitioning toward more innovative and sustainable forms of camping.