"Germany is Europe's largest camping market and around 50 percent larger than the entire Nordic region. We see significant potential to foster a more professional and consolidated structure in Germany – just as we have successfully done in Scandinavia in recent years," says Johan Söör, CEO of First Camp.

First Camp already has a solid relationship with the German market – German guests currently account for around 15% of all overnight stays at its destinations in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.

"With the acquisition of Via Claudia, we are gaining a strong foothold in southern Germany, close to the Alps and the popular hiking trails along the Lech River and the Via Claudia Augusta. We approach this opportunity with great humility – and our top priority is to maintain the high quality and guest experience," Söör continued.

The current owner and site manager, Felicitas Weber, will continue to manage the site during a lengthy transition period. No changes to the guest experience are planned.

"Via Claudia is a logical first step into Germany, but our ambitions don't end here. We are actively exploring further opportunities in the German market and are open to various ownership and partnership models – both in Germany and other European markets. We recently completed a successful bond financing, which opens up further opportunities for us," Johan Söör concluded.

Via Claudia generated revenue of approximately €3.6 million in 2024. The campsite will be owned by FC Husky HoldCo, a sister company of First Camp Group AB, and thus will not be part of First Camp Group AB's bond structure. The acquisition will be financed using FC Husky HoldCo's available cash and existing credit lines.

First Camp Group AB, operating under the main brand First Camp, is Northern Europe's leading camping and resort chain. The company manages over 70 destinations in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland, including four under independent brands. The chain offers more than 16,000 pitches for caravans and motorhomes and over 3,500 cabins. Since 2017, First Camp has acquired more than 60 destinations and is focused on growth through digitalization, guest satisfaction, and sustainability.

Source: First Camp
Picture: First Camp