CARAVAN SALON Düsseldorf 2025 closed with 269,000 visitors from 80 countries, confirming its role as the global trade fair for mobile travel.
The event, which ran in Düsseldorf, drew strong international interest and underscored the resilience of the caravanning industry despite challenging economic conditions.
Marius Berlemann, chief operating officer of Messe Düsseldorf, said the fair provided momentum for the season ahead.
“We are very satisfied – 269,000 caravanning and camping enthusiasts from 80 countries in Düsseldorf is an outstanding result and represents the second-best result in the 64-year history of this trade fair,” he said in a press release.
Berlemann also noted that exhibitors reported strong sales and promising contacts, calling the event “a powerful show of support for the entire caravanning industry.”
The fair highlighted innovations across leisure vehicles, equipment, and technology, reinforcing its reputation as a central meeting point for both consumers and industry professionals.
“CARAVAN SALON is constantly evolving and impressively demonstrating its central importance – both as a high-caliber business platform and as an experience for the whole family,” Berlemann added.
Nearly 40% of visitors indicated an intent to purchase a recreational vehicle, according to a survey.
Industry leaders echoed the positive assessment. Bernd Löher, president of the Caravanning Industry Association (CIVD), said: “With its impressive visitor numbers, CARAVAN SALON has once again confirmed its exceptional position as the most important and largest trade fair in our industry. The enormous response shows that caravanning has lost none of its appeal.”
He emphasized the role of exhibitors in setting new standards through product innovation.
CIVD Managing Director Daniel Onggowinarso stressed the fair’s role beyond product showcases. “Caravanning is a significant growth engine for the economy and tourism and offers enormous potential, especially for many regions in Germany,” he said.
Onggowinarso noted the presence of North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister-President Hendrik Wüst as recognition of the sector’s economic and strategic importance.
The show recorded strong attendance from first-time visitors, with more than a third of attendees new to the event. Many explored the “StarterWelt” exhibit to learn about mobile travel, while others arrived with specific purchase intentions.
Stefan Koschke, director of CARAVAN SALON, highlighted its B2B function through the “Destination Future” conference series, which provided a platform for networking and knowledge exchange.
This year’s edition featured 810 exhibitors from 41 countries across 15 halls and outdoor spaces. Exhibitors reported strong interest and market validation for new models and designs.
Manufacturers expressed optimism following the fair. Wim de Pundert, CEO of Knaus Tabbert AG, said: “CARAVAN SALON is an important indicator for us for the coming season and offers the best conditions for presenting our broad portfolio and inspiring more people to take up this form of holiday.”
Hymer GmbH & Co. KG reported similar results. Christian Bauer, chairman of the management board, said: “The visitor numbers and the good atmosphere confirmed the continuing fascination with camping as a form of holiday. The interest in our brands’ motorhomes, camper vans and caravans makes us confident about the new season.”
Other major exhibitors, including Hobby, Eura Mobil, Carthago Group, and Westfalia, highlighted successful product launches and robust visitor engagement. Frank Maukel of Hobby said its redesigned stand helped showcase new models, while Carthago Group’s Bernd Wuschack credited the debut of new motorhome generations for exceeding expectations.
Suppliers also reported strong outcomes. Marie Boulanger, Managing Director Europe & APAC of Thetford, noted: “The impressive number of visitors to CARAVAN SALON confirms how much Europeans love the freedom of traveling with a caravan or a motorhome.” Dirk Valder, Head of Product Management, said the fair enabled productive discussions with both consumers and partners.
Featured image by Messe Düsseldorf /ctillmann