Austria’s Camping Star 2026 awards recognized campsites across six categories, highlighting businesses for their facilities, service quality, sustainability, wellness offerings, and innovations. Presented by the Austrian Camping Club (ÖCC) and Messe Wels during Caravan Salon Austria 2026 in Wels, the awards included selections by an expert jury and public voting by campers and ÖCC members.
The awards were presented for the second time, with the program designed to recognize different approaches to camping and help travelers identify destinations that match their interests, from sports and wellness to glamping and environmentally conscious operations.
Four campsites received awards from an expert jury chaired by Georg Giner, according to Vienna.AT. The panel assessed participating businesses based on criteria that included service quality, facilities, sustainability, atmosphere, and specialized offerings for different target groups.
Sportcamp Woferlgut won in the Sport and Active Camping category, while Camping Sölden received the award for Spa and Relax Camping. Ferienparadies Natterer See was recognized in the Glamping and Lodges category, and Natürlich HELL, Camping & Aparthotel received the award for Sustainable Camping.
The categories reflect the range of products available in Austria’s camping sector, where operators serve both traditional campers and guests seeking higher-comfort accommodations or specialized recreational experiences. For campground owners and operators, the awards also highlight how distinct positioning, investment in amenities, and attention to environmental practices can help differentiate a property in a competitive tourism market.
Campers and ÖCC members selected three winners in the My Favorite Campsite category through a public vote. Aufenfeld Holiday Resort Zillertal received gold, Camp MondSeeLand took silver, and Camping Resort Riegersburg placed third.
A separate public vote recognized innovative camping concepts. Secret Koi Garden at Ferienparadies Natterer See received gold, giving the property two awards at the 2026 event. In addition to the innovation recognition, Ferienparadies Natterer See won the expert jury award for Glamping and Lodges.
Alpencamping Nenzing received silver for its sustainable sanitary and service building, designed as a place of well-being. Falkensteiner Camping Grubhof took bronze for its New Sanitary World & Wellness Alm.
The innovation category highlighted investments in facilities and guest experiences, including improvements to shared amenities. Such projects can offer operators opportunities to strengthen their property’s appeal, although their business value depends on factors such as construction and operating costs, guest demand, and the ability to maintain service quality over time.
The ÖCC said camping tourism in Austria has maintained a high level of overnight stays for several years, crediting campsite operators for their contribution to the sector.
“Camping overnight stays in Austria have been at a very high level for years. This is mainly thanks to the many dedicated campsite operators,” explained ÖCC President Tomas Mehlmauer.
Mehlmauer said the Camping Star awards aim to recognize the commitment and passion behind the businesses. He also pointed to the variety of offerings represented among the winners, including wellness stays, sports activities, alternative accommodations, and sustainable tourism.
Petra Leingartner, exhibition director of Messe Wels, described the Camping Star as an important sign of quality and authenticity in Austrian camping tourism.
The awards were presented during Caravan Salon Austria 2026, which runs through October 18 in Wels. The Austrian Camping Club is participating in the event, offering visitors personal advice for both first-time and experienced campers interested in traveling with tents, caravans, and motorhomes.
The ÖCC also provides members with individualized travel advice, its Camping Revue magazine, and discounts at more than 3,800 campsites and on motorhome rentals. More information is available at campingclub.at.
For outdoor hospitality businesses, the awards provide examples of how operators can build a recognizable market position through specialized accommodations, wellness facilities, recreational amenities, and sustainability initiatives. The recognition of both established guest favorites and new concepts also illustrates the different ways campsites can compete for attention, from delivering consistent guest experiences to introducing distinctive facilities that appeal to specific customer segments.
