CAMPING-CAR PARK sets up in Belgium » PACA’s economic and political newsletter
To date, the network has more than 350 stopover and service areas across France.
The municipality of Herbeumont in the province of Luxembourg, the organization Wallonia Belgium Tourism, in charge of promoting Walloon tourism in Belgium and abroad, and CAMPING-CAR PARK, 1uh European network of stopover areas and services for motorhomes, announces the opening of a service area for motorhomes located a stone’s throw from the medieval Château of Herbeumont, a major heritage site in Wallonia. This is the first location of a Camping-Car Park in Belgium.
The opening of this area in Herbeumont aims to boost and structure motorhome tourism in the local area. Nestled in the forest of the Semois, the area is an ideal starting point for motorhomes looking for wide open spaces and keen on hiking, with nearly 100 km of trails along the river or in the heart of the Ardennes forest. Operational since the end of April 2022, the Herbeumont area has already welcomed more than 2,383 motorhomes and recorded 953 overnight stays.
A 100% automated area accessible all year round
Up to 33 motorhomes can be accommodated at the Herbeumont site, which is 100% automated and accessible 24/7 throughout the year. The area offers multiple services: video surveillance, electricity and emptying terminals as well as access to drinking water, toilets and free wifi. To access the area, you must first buy the PASS’ETAPES card from Camping-Car Park in the amount of €5, valid for life. Then simply scan it at the entrance to open the barrier. Payment for the stay (€12/night) is made in several ways: on the website www.campingcarpark.comon the Camping-Car Park application or directly on the site (automate).
An economic challenge for local communities
This new area in Herbeumont represents an economic challenge for the municipality and the province of Luxembourg. Indeed, a motorhome couple spends on average 56 euros per day: 44 euros from local economic actors and 12 euros for accommodation. On the part devoted to accommodation, CAMPING-CAR PARK donates approximately two-thirds to the municipality, which remains the owner of the parking area.
16,500 Belgian motorhome owners already use the CAMPING-CAR PARK network
The motorhome tourism market is booming in Europe, boosted by the health crisis and the sale of leisure vehicles (van, campervan and motorhome). In 2021, there were 2.5 million motorhomes in Europe, including 62,000 in Belgium, according to the European Caravan Federation. On Belgian territory, the number of new motorhomes registered increased by 43.9% between 2020 and 2021. Belgian motorhome owners are already followers of the CAMPING-CAR PARK network. In effect, 16,500 motorhomes of Belgian nationality carry the Pass’Étapes card.
” The CAMPING-CAR PARK network has proven its worth with our French neighbours. It is appreciated by motorhome owners thanks to the quality of the services offered and the development of an ecosystem through partnerships with local businesses. Its establishment in Wallonia is therefore good news and contributes to my desire to strengthen touring tourism. This new area, nestled in the forest of the Semois, near the Château d’Herbeumont, Major Heritage of Wallonia, but also near the shops and restaurants of the region, contributes to the achievement of these objectives. », said Valérie De Bue, Minister of Public Service and Tourism of the Walloon government.
“I am very proud that our municipality is hosting the first CAMPING-CAR PARK area in Belgium. The choice made by CAMPING-CAR PARK to settle in Herbeumont reflects the attractiveness and assets of our town, which benefits from a remarkable wooded setting and a world-famous heritage. This area will make it possible to further develop tourism in Herbeumont and to make the town known to new tourists. The partnership of CAMPING-CAR PARK with the community will benefit the local economic fabric »rejoiced Catherine Mathelin, mayor of Herbeumont.
“We are happy to form a partnership with the commune of Herbeumont, with whom we have been working hand in hand on this project for several months. This first area will allow the municipality and the province of Luxembourg to attract more motorhomes. For CAMPING-CAR PARK, this is an important step in the internationalization of its network and the continuation of its network in Europe. We would have motorhome owners the possibility of choosing between the sea, the countryside, the mountains or even the outskirts of large cities”, a underlined Laurent Morice, co-founder of CAMPING-CAR PARK.
About CAMPING-CAR PARK:
CAMPING-CAR PARK is the 1uh European network of stopover areas and service areas for motorhomes. Founded in 2011 by Laurent Morice and Corinne Bruel, two experts in regional tourism development, the network has more than 350 areas in Europe. It welcomes camper van owners as close as possible to points of interest (town centre, beaches, shops, etc.) offering access to all services in complete safety, 24/7 all year round. Cleverly established at the major centers of tourist attraction, the rest areas have already been visited by nearly half of the 500,000 leisure vehicles registered in France. On the strength of constant growth since its creation and a real vector of regional development, the company plans to open a hundred additional areas in 2022.