PiNCAMP Awards 2027

Time to submit an application

Deadline: Submissions on nominations close 04/09/2026

• Innovation & Progress (Campsite Award)

  • Focus: Honors campsites that set new standards with innovative concepts, digital solutions, automation, or visionary offerings.

    • Digital Infrastructure & Services: Implementation of a seamless digital guest journey, such as automated app check-in, digital concierge services, or smart metering for real-time resource tracking at the pitch.

    • Architecture & Pitch Concepts: Creative choices in architectural design, flexible layout structures, or experiential architecture that diverges from traditional standards.

    • Pioneering Guest Experiences: Creation of unique, alternative leisure, dining, or service offerings on-site.

    • Research & Networking: Active, verifiable collaborations with start-ups, universities, or research institutions.

    • Future Mobility: Provision of future-proof mobility solutions, including EV charging infrastructure for car-caravan setups, on-site e-sharing fleets, or innovative micro-mobility options.

    • Demographic Change & Inclusivity: Exceptional measures for accessibility and demographic adaptation that go beyond basic legal standards.

    • AI & Process Automation: Strategic integration of Artificial Intelligence (e.g., predictive occupancy planning, AI chatbots) or robot-assisted automation in daily operations to improve service quality and reduce staff workload.

• Sustainability & Environmental Awareness (Campsite Award)

  • Focus: Celebrates campsites with a holistic environmental awareness, measurable resource management, and active ecological responsibility.

    • Energy Management: High degree of self-sufficiency through renewable energy (photovoltaics, wind, geothermal, co-generation) and smart energy grid control.

    • Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency: Consistent use of eco-friendly, certified building materials, strict zero-plastic initiatives, and comprehensive recycling concepts.

    • Biodiversity & Nature Conservation: Active, scientifically backed promotion of local flora and fauna, such as large-scale permaculture, wildflower strips, insect habitats, and avoiding chemical pesticides.

    • Environmental Education & Edutainment: Structured, engaging educational programs for guests (both children and adults) to raise ecological awareness.

    • Certification Status: Valid, high-ranking environmental certificates, such as ECOCAMPING, EU Ecolabel, or Green Key.

    • Regional Supply Chains & Zero-Waste Gastronomy: Verifiable sourcing of food and goods from a tight local radius (< 50 km) alongside standardized processes to minimize food waste in on-site restaurants.

    • Smart Water Management: Installation of closed-loop water systems, greywater treatment plants for pitch irrigation, or advanced rainwater harvesting techniques to mitigate drought impacts.

• Rental Accommodation (Campsite Award)

  • Admission Requirements (K.O. Criteria):

    1. The rental accommodations must be physically located within the official campsite grounds.

    2. The campsite must actively operate at least 5 classic tourist pitches for individual campers parallel to the rentals.

  • Focus: Celebrates campsites that elevate the rental accommodation segment to a notable level of quality, creativity, and natural integration.

  • • Architecture & Interior Design: Aesthetic standards, uniqueness, and craftsmanship of the interior design; presence of a strong design identity.

    • Innovation of Lodging Format: Creativity in the choice of accommodation types, including high-quality layouts in tiny houses, treehouses, floating homes, or geodetic domes.

    • Material Ecology & Technology: Use of sustainable, long-lasting materials paired with smart-home technology for climate and lighting control.

    • Scenic Symbiosis: Seamless integration into the natural topography and vegetation to minimize the visual impact on nature.

    • Four-Season Resilience: Structural and thermal suitability for high-end utilization during all four seasons, expanding seasonality via independent heating and insulation systems.

• Small Campsite (Campsite Award)

  • Admission Requirements (K.O. Criteria):

    1. A maximum capacity of 60 tourist pitches in total.

    2. Zero organized animation or loud entertainment programs.

    3. No nudist or naturist operations.

    4. The absolute majority (> 50%) of the pitches must have a size of over 100 m².

  • Focus: Honors owner-managed, character-rich gems that offer their guests a high-quality, authentic, and slow-paced camping experience.
    • Atmosphere, Hospitality & Individuality: Authenticity of the site, personal care by the owners, and a distinct, individual profile.

    • Infrastructural Excellence: High-quality, pristine sanitary facilities and well-maintained, harmonious grounds despite consciously omitting large-scale resort features.

    • Regional Integration & Slow Tourism: Active role as an ambassador for the region, including partnerships with local guides, farm shops, and providing hand-picked artisan products.

• Young Talent (Personality Award)

  • Admission Requirement (K.O. Criterion):
    The nominated person must be under 35 years of age during the award year (2027).

  • Focus: Honors a young professional or founder under 35 in the sector who stands out with fresh ideas, leadership skills, social competence, or entrepreneurial courage.

    • Entrepreneurial Courage: Boldness in taking over, restructuring, or founding a business, especially when transforming traditional family operations.

    • Innovation Drive: Verifiable success in implementing modern practices in marketing, sales, HR, or digital operational management.

    • Modern Leadership & Culture: Application of contemporary leadership styles, promoting flat hierarchies, transparent communication, and diversity within the team.

    • Industry Commitment: Engagement in overarching topics like sustainability, tourism training, accessibility, or industry association work.

    • New Work & Employer Branding: Developing pioneering concepts for employee recruitment and retention, such as flexible shift models, modern staff accommodations, and mental health initiatives to actively combat labor shortages.

• Hall of Fame (Personality Award)

  • Focus: A distinguished lifetime achievement award celebrating an individual who has significantly shaped, formed, and advanced the European camping industry over many years.

    • Lifetime Achievement & Milestones: Longstanding, successful career as a campsite operator, association official, or industry pioneer with the realization of landmark achievements.

    • Macro-Impact on the Industry: Sustained influence on quality standards, tourism policy, association structures, or legal frameworks on a national or international level.

    • Trendsetting & Best Practice: Establishment of operational concepts or quality standards that are now considered state-of-the-art across the industry.

    • Reputation & Role Model Function: Recognition as a moral authority, mentor for younger generations, and highly respected representative of the camping community.

    • Transformational Resilience: Proven capability to successfully guide companies or associations through fundamental market shifts, including economic crises, rapid digitalization, or ecological transitions.