Occupancy rate of camping sites in Japan 2014-2023

In 2023, the average occupancy rates of camping sites in Japan stood at 19.6 percent, declining compared to the previous year. Occupancy rates surpassed the 20 percent mark for the first time in 2021, despite the COVID-19 pandemic that, in other segments, was devastating to the tourism industry. One possible reason was that outdoor facilities, such as camping sites, could provide social distancing measures to travelers compared to other accommodation types.   

Recreational vehicles

While the vehicle of choice for many camping trips did not involve recreational vehicles (RV), RVs play a central role in the camping industry, as their market size is considerable. Reinforcing other KPIs that show the expansion of the camping industry, the sales value of camping vehicles was on the rise, reaching a decade-high in 2023. Most camping cars in Japan were self-propelling, while a minority were trailers.   

Glamping

Glamping is a new trend that has become popular in recent years. While the share of people who actually went on glamping trips was still relatively low, the share of people who were open to such an experience was remarkable. One possible reason for the large discrepancy between those who experienced glamping and those who merely desired to do so was the relatively high travel expenses associated with glamping. A survey showed a correlation between the share of people who went on glamping trips and their household income status, with higher income levels having a higher participation rate.