ORGANIZATION

Welcome to the World of Camping, Caravanning and Motor Caravanning

Dear Camping Friends,

The year 2009 is more than half way through and one can already take a glance at the end of the year. It is now time to think things over, namely about what we have been doing and about what is previously planned for the coming months. But more than just reviewing the activities, which are beeing developed and carried out, I sincerely advise everyone who crosses himself, directly or indirectly, in the ways of Camping, Caravanning and Motor Caravanning to truly reflect about the concept associated with this lifestyle and try to make an assessment of the evolution, which occured over the last years.

Start by searching and finding the memories of the past and feel how, even nowadays, one can experience and taste the strength of freedom, the pleasure of socializing with friends with the spirit of fellowship, the contact with Nature, the respect for the environment and the joy itself, that features camping and motor caravanning activities. In this regard, nothing really changed since the time of our ancestors. We continue all very much in love with the universe involving these two forms of tourism. And let us not forget that we are talking about two of the most ancient and traditional forms of tourism in the whole world.
In fact, Camping started more than three thousand years ago - and even Caravanning dates back to the 16th century. However, at that time, it meant a horse and a carriage or a boat and a sail, so to say.

The spirit of Camping and Motor Caravanning was never lost and is becoming stronger and stronger in present society, showing a high evolution profile, always accompanied and promoted by F.I.C.C.

The Fédération Internationale de Camping et de Caravanning (F.I.C.C.) is the only worldwide organisation solely devoted to Camping, Caravanning and Motor Caravanning and to defending the interests of campers wherever they are. F.I.C.C. was originally established in 1933, for the mutual benefit of a number of European camping clubs. Today, we represent 56 member Clubs and Federations in 32 different countries on four continents.

F.I.C.C. is, undoubtedly, an active part of Camping and Motor Caravanning evolution around the world. The infra-structures of camping parks, the advances on laws and regulations, the application of modern up-to-date technologies on these two forms of tourism, the fair attraction of youths to this kind of activities... are, among others, many of the items one could name, on which F.I.C.C. has always exerted, still exerts and will surely continue exerting its best effort towards continuous improvement and accomplishment. Staring at the future, and knowing by heart the real needs and longings of campers and motor caravanners, F.I.C.C. is presently working very hard in order to attract new members to the organisation, as well as establishing, internationally, closer relations with similar associations, be it in consumers area, camping parks or even the camping, caravanning and motor caravanning industry itself. Thereby, this is actually the strategic path we are following.

Although being aware of the international economic crisis, F.I.C.C. is not frightened or in turmoil, and firmly pursues on its way, aiming at the growing legitimacy of camping and motor caravanning activities. And that is so, because F.I.C.C. believes that knowing and understanding the values and achievements of the past, one can work better and harder in the present, as well as set the goals and objectives for a sustainable future of Camping, Caravanning and Motor Caravanning.

Give it a try - you will find it is definitely worth it!


Yours friendly,
João Alves Pereira
President F.I.C.C.