Camping enjoys youth renaissance

CAMPSITES in France are enjoying a renaissance in the economic crisis, with growing visitors and a new, younger clientele.

The number of people going camping grew by 7% last year and is forecast to increase by another 5% in 2010, according to new research from industry body the Fédération Nationale de l'Hôtellerie de Plein Air (FHNPA).

The study found half of the new converts who went camping for the first time in 2009 were aged under 35. In total, six out of ten campers are under 50.

A third of campers come from well-off socio-professional backgrounds. Half of them had at least two years of post-baccalauréat education and a monthly income exceeding €2,500, the report found.

FNHPA president Guylhem Féraud told TF1: "We have kept our old customers and gained new ones. Campsites now have a bigger mix of people from different social backgrounds than in the past."

A new classification system for campsites around France comes into force on July 1, which will see the first five-star certificates being awarded to the best-equipped sites.

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