Abstract:

Caravanning is perceived as a form of car tourism, travelling by recreational vehicles for sightseeing and leisure (Cudny, 2018). A recreational vehicle refers both to caravans (camper trailers) and campervans or motorhomes. They may be used to travel, i.e. go caravanning, or to go camping, i.e. use them as a form of stationary tourism and camping (www.encyclopedia.com). This kind of leisure is suitable for people who appreciate independence and high mobility, at the same time accepting conditions which are far from luxury. The world’s first leisure trailer was built by the Bristol Wagon & Carriage Works in Great Britain. In the 1890s, the first trailer appeared in the US. In 1912, Bill Riley’s team of the UK developed the first professional camper trailer. In the 1950s and 1960s, the first campervans were built (Hogue, 2011; Fenton, 2013; Østby, 2013; Prideaux, 2018). There are approximately 140 manufacturers of recreational vehicles (cars and trailers) in Europe. The four largest producers, whose share accounts for 75% of the European market are (Motorhome Market Outlook, 2020): Erwin Hymer Group, Trigano VDL, Knaus Tabbert and Hobby.