As the new year begins, PiNCAMP — the camping portal of ADAC, ANWB and TCS (the three leading national automobile associations of Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland) — announces the return of the most important event for the entire European open-air tourism sector: the PiNCAMP Gala, scheduled to take place in Stuttgart on 16 January 2026, featuring the award ceremony for the best hospitality projects.
For the fifth consecutive year, the event’s official partner is Crippaconcept, an innovative, certified Made in Italy company that designs, manufactures and markets mobile home and lodge tent solutions for nature-centered holidays.
PiNCAMP has announced the nominations for the PiNCAMP Awards 2026. The selected camping villages come from Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, the Netherlands, Denmark and Austria. An international jury of ten experts selected the nominees from hundreds of proposals across the industry.
The nominated campsites compete in the following categories:
- Sustainability & Environmental Awareness
- Innovation & Progress
- Rental Accommodation
Uwe Frers, CEO of PiNCAMP, explains the value of this recognition: “For the camping industry, the PiNCAMP Awards hold the same importance as the Oscars do for the film industry.”
Sergio Redaelli, CEO of Crippaconcept, comments: “Over the past five years, our products have helped redefine expectations of comfort and design in European open-air hospitality. The partnership with PiNCAMP has allowed us to strengthen our position in Northern European markets, exporting a recognizable Italian design model rich in content and know-how. Crippaconcept brings the Italian style of open-air vacationing to Europe. At the PiNCAMP Awards, we present each year an exclusive collection of Made in Italy mobile homes and lodge tents, created for the continent’s most iconic camping villages. We support the development of unique experiences capable of creating authentic connections between people, open-air hospitality venues and the territories that host them — experiences that make travelers feel at home wherever they are. A genuine opportunity made possible by the daily commitment of hospitality operators who, with vision and expertise, give concrete value to open-air hospitality: an art of welcome that listens, interprets and transforms every stay into a memorable experience.”
PiNCAMP Awards 2026 — All Nominations
Category: Sustainability & Environmental Awareness
De Lemeler Esch Natuurcamping, Netherlands
Located in the Overijssel region, De Lemeler Esch Natuurcamping is dedicated to balancing nature, recreation and agriculture. The campsite continuously invests in sustainable guest experiences and environmental conservation. Innovative energy solutions — such as compost heating powered by a biomeiler to warm the outdoor pool — and the conversion of parts of the site into biodiversity protection zones demonstrate this commitment. The results are tangible: in the “Boomgaard” and “Bloemenweide” meadows, guests camp among vibrant native wildflowers, while the renewed “Archemerheide” area now features native plant species providing shade and increased privacy.
Camping Bretagne Les Embruns, France
Located in South Finistère, near Brittany’s beautiful bays and sandy beaches, Camping Bretagne Les Embruns has planted over 8,000 trees, shrubs and plants, transforming the site into a green oasis. Sustainability is a priority: the restaurant serves only fresh local products with a carefully curated menu. On-site beehives promote pollination and produce honey for the campsite, while orchards provide apples for cider. Guests can also participate in gardening activities. Recycling measures — such as cleaning pathways using water from the previous season’s pool — further reduce the ecological footprint.
Camp Kovačine, Croatia
This modern five-star campsite on the island of Cres places strong emphasis on environmental protection and guest awareness. A solar power system covering 95% of energy needs, combined with low-consumption lighting and heat pumps, ensures efficient energy management. As part of its plastic-free initiative, plastic straws and bags have been replaced with paper alternatives. Since summer 2025, the “Take It or Leave It” Recycling House allows guests to exchange everyday items, extending their lifespan and reducing waste. Environmental workshops and olive oil production from on-site trees further strengthen its ecological commitment.
Category: Innovation & Progress
Feddet Strand Resort, Denmark
How large can — and should — a campsite pitch be? At Feddet Strand Resort on the island of Zealand, the answer is 600 m². Their new premium Leading Pitch features a private spa, kitchen, shower and toilet, with generous space for caravans, motorhomes or tents. A separate 400 m² screened lounge area with spa and seating ensures maximum comfort and privacy.
Union Lido Mare, Italy
For 70 years, Union Lido has been a center of innovation in outdoor tourism. Its latest creation is Speedy Island, a revolutionary water park designed exclusively for the resort. The highlight is the Body River, a canyoning-inspired body-rafting adventure with rapids, waterfalls and pools. Smart sensors, synchronized effects, non-slip materials, continuous water recycling and renewable-energy-powered pumps make the experience both thrilling and sustainable. Thanks to 650 solar panels, the park is energy self-sufficient and built with recycled, child-safe materials.
Camping Tamarit Beach Resort, Spain
Tamarit Beach Resort sets new standards in camping and sustainability through advanced technological and ecological projects: AI-based operational management, a VR room for destination exploration, and smart-building systems that optimize energy efficiency and sustainability across the entire resort.
Category: Rental Accommodation
Destinature Dorf Hitzacker, Germany
Can you sleep inside a wooden pencil holder? At Destinature Dorf Hitzacker, you can. Using the iconic Werkhaus modular system, the resort creates plug-and-live accommodations assembled from interlocking plywood panels. From compact “travel beds” to the family-size “Destinature Hut Plus,” these eco-friendly structures are designed for minimal environmental impact and easy assembly and disassembly.
Camping Resort Sangulí Salou, Spain
On Spain’s Costa Dorada, Sangulí Salou offers a truly unique experience with África Bay — a resort blending African-inspired architecture with innovative accommodation, from Sukuma Garden lodges to Grand Bay Tents reminiscent of safari adventures. Exclusive services like Beach Pool and Jambo Chill Bar complete a fully immersive hospitality ecosystem.
Ferienparadies Natterer See, Austria
Near Innsbruck, in the Tyrolean Alps, Ferienparadies Natterer See presents Secret Koi Garden, a luxury glamping concept built around a tranquil koi pond. Eight sustainable Lushna Petite cabins combine dark metal roofing with warm natural wood, blending seamlessly into the alpine landscape. Panoramic windows dissolve the boundary between indoors and outdoors, turning nature into a living stage.
