site.btaCamping & Caravaning Expo 2026 Opens with Nearly 100 Exhibitors

The Camping & Caravaning Expo 2026 opened Friday and will run through Sunday in the park area of the former Sofia Land. The event is organized by Camping.BG.

The forum is being held for the 12th consecutive year, with its first edition taking place in 2018. This year 99 exhibitors from Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, and Germany participate. The event is expected to attract over 12,000 visitors.

The exhibition features the latest trends in the world of campers, caravans, and recreational vehicles, a variety of camping, water sports, cycling products, and outdoor activities.

According to Camping.BG founder Veselin Valev, interest in camping tourism in Bulgaria is growing, despite the lack of statistics. "We track the trend through traffic to our website, event attendance, and registration data for campers and caravans, which have been increasing in recent years," he said.

Valev added that prices in the sector vary widely. "Equipment can cost anywhere from about EUR 100 to EUR 100,000, depending on the level. Campers start at around EUR 50,000 and can reach millions, I’ve personally seen a model worth EUR 3 million, and here there are some worth around EUR 200,000," he said.

Valev added that there is an alternative option for people on a tighter budget. "A trailer offers almost the same amenities as a camper but has to be towed by a car. It all depends on what kind of vacation people prefer," he added.

According to him, the choice between a camper and a caravan depends on the type of vacation. "A camper is like a house on wheels and is suitable for travelling and short stops along the route. A caravan is more suitable for settling in one place for a longer vacation," Valev said.

The event organizers recommended that beginners start by camping at regulated campgrounds. "When you have no experience, wild camping can lead to an uncomfortable vacation. Campgrounds have showers, toilets, hot water, and amenities that make the experience much more pleasant," he said.

There are currently over 200 campsites in Bulgaria, with about 35% of them located along the Black Sea coast and the rest in the interior of the country. "In general, the level of service in the inland campsites is higher. There is a new type of modern thermal campgrounds with mineral pools, seven of which are represented with booths at the exhibition," he added.

According to his data, 90% of campers are people with middle-to-high incomes, 75% of whom have a university degree, and the vast majority are people between the ages of 35 and 60, primarily families with children.

The organizers noted that when travelling, people must be mindful of the luggage they carry, as the vehicle has a weight limit. When setting out on a trip, it is important that the total weight does not exceed 3.5 tonnes.

Infrastructure remains one of the main challenges facing the sector. "For camping tourism to develop and to attract more foreign tourists, we need not only good campsites but also quality roads leading to them and to tourist attractions. Currently, there are places that are difficult to access by camper," Valev said.

He noted that Bulgarians are increasingly visiting campsites abroad, especially in Greece, where there has also been a rise in the number of tourists from Bulgaria.

Emil Bonev from the Vakon publishing house, a participant in the exhibition, told BTA that over the years it has grown significantly and attracts visitors from all over Bulgaria. According to him, there were about 20 exhibitors at the start.

The event runs through April 26. This year's edition offers a rich programme with children's animation, a sports area and a stage with presentations by travellers and caravanning experts. Visitors will be able to get practical advice and meet people who have turned travel into a way of life.

On Saturday, visitors will be able to learn more about transforming a van into a campervan, solar systems and batteries, travelling with a baby and choosing between renting or buying a camper. In parallel, the children's corner will offer art workshops and entertainment, and there will be theatre performances.

Sunday will be dedicated to travel and responsible camping - the cause behind this year's edition of the event - is being implemented in partnership with the For the Earth environmental association. The programme includes presentations, from South America by bicycle, through camping in Greece, a tour of Iceland, to adventures in the Middle East and Mozambique. Visitors will be able to join in ecological activities and educational games aimed at sustainable travel and nature conservation.

Throughout all days, the sports area will offer demonstrations and the opportunity to surfskate.