The end of last month marked a historic moment for global camping, caravanning, and motorcaravanning. During the General Assembly of the F.I.C.C. (Fédération Internationale de Camping, Caravanning et Autocaravaning), held in Germany, João Alves Pereira was re-elected for another term as President of the organisation.

This electoral victory comes as the Portuguese leader celebrates twenty-one years of continuous tenure, consolidating a widely recognised leadership path and reaffirming the confidence of member federations and clubs in his strategic capability. In 2005, João Alves Pereira had already become the youngest president in the history of the F.I.C.C. Today, with a mature trajectory, he continues to play a decisive role in the evolution of outdoor tourism on an international scale.

More than a re-election, the result of the General Assembly represents the renewal of the member federations and clubs’ trust in a leadership that builds upon three decades of personal commitment to the evolution of outdoor tourism, keeping the F.I.C.C. united, financially sound, and internationally respected.

The Global Impact of World Camping Day and the Digital Transition

This re-election followed another major milestone in the recent history of the organisation: the global celebrations of World Camping Day on 29 June 2026. This year’s edition saw unprecedented participation, uniting thousands of enthusiasts, clubs, and federations under the shared purpose of celebrating nature and cooperation between peoples.

The main highlight was the launch of the new official World Camping Day website. This digital platform, developed under the banner of the federation’s modernisation, served as the global convergence point for sharing dedicated information and distributing institutional materials. The impact of this tool and the strong international mobilisation demonstrated the vitality of the movement and the strength of João Alves Pereira’s vision, who conceived this day – officially recognised by UN Tourism (formerly the World Tourism Organization) in 2022 – as the great showcase for sustainable tourism. The resounding success of the initiative served as the perfect prelude to the General Assembly, where member federations and clubs cast their votes to renew their confidence in the Portuguese leader.

A Path of Innovation at the Service of Outdoor Tourism

Born in Lisbon in 1969, with a degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences and specialisations in Management, Finance, and Marketing, João began camping in 1987 at the F.I.C.C. International Youth Rallies in the Netherlands. His voluntary associative path began at the Portuguese Camping and Caravanning Federation (Federação Portuguesa de Campismo e Caravanismo), first in the Youth Section (1988 to 1992), then as Vice-President for the Cultural and Recreational Area (1993 to 1997) and, later on, as Vice-President (1998 to 2002). He also chaired the technical committee for quality certification in camping at SGS, maintains a strong connection to national associations by currently serving as President of the Board of the General Assembly of the Lisbon Camping Club (Clube de Campismo de Lisboa), and chaired the F.I.C.C. Youth Commission (1991 to 1997) and the F.I.C.C. Board of Directors (1996 to 2025) before assuming the global presidency.

Over these two decades, he has driven a profound modernisation of the F.I.C.C., introducing new approaches in strategic marketing, financial management, digital transformation, and institutional organisation. Although introducing these innovative dynamics required an extra educational effort when facing more traditional approaches in the sector, the consistency of the results achieved by João Alves Pereira demonstrated that modernisation was the only viable path to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of the activity.

The international merit of his work has resulted in prestigious distinctions, such as “Personality of the Year 2008”, awarded by the Sports Confederation of Portugal, and tributes paid by various international organisations and entities in Poland, Italy, Finland, and Germany. Notable among these distinctions is the Influencer of the Year award, presented by SF Caravan of Finland in 2019, in recognition of the influence and impact of his work on the development of camping in the Nordic countries and the strengthening of the international camping movement. More recently, he was also honoured by the Deutscher Camping Club of Germany for his path of leadership, resilience, and dedication to international camping. He is an honorary member of several organisations.

Alongside his activity at the F.I.C.C., João Alves Pereira is a member of the UN Tourism Barometer Panel of Experts, an international panel of specialists from UN Tourism, and is regularly invited to share his experience and contribute with technical analyses and opinions on the evolution and main strategic challenges of international tourism.

The Role of the F.I.C.C. in the International Context

The F.I.C.C. is the international federation that promotes and protects the interests of outdoor tourism enthusiasts. Founded in 1933 with 16 clubs from 7 countries, it currently brings together 71 federations and clubs from 37 countries, representing a unique force in the promotion of camping and outdoor leisure. Its actions focus on organising international rallies and facilitating platforms for strategic dialogue, ensuring that camping remains synonymous with hospitality, sustainability, and cultural exchange, in close cooperation with partners such as UN Tourism and the International Social Tourism Organisation (ISTO/OITS).

Historical Milestones of Two Decades of Leadership

When he took over the presidency, the F.I.C.C. faced severe financial challenges and the threat of stagnation. Over the last two decades, the organisation has consolidated itself, strengthening its reputation among consumers, industry, and campsites. Expanding activities to new regions in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America has made the experience more challenging and rewarding.

Under the presidency of João Alves Pereira, the key milestones of this journey include:

• 2005: A renewed focus on motorcaravanning, complementing traditional activities, with highly successful symposia in Barcelona and Italy.
• 2014: Purchase of the F.I.C.C.’s own headquarters in the prestigious European Quarter of Brussels, close to the European Parliament. This strategic investment saved the full value of rental costs in just five years, securing the financial stability of the organisation.
• 2014: End of the FIA partnership of over 65 years, with the F.I.C.C. assuming full rights over the Camping Card International (CCI), created in 1934. Currently, the federation is heavily invested in the eCCI, the electronic version of the card.
• 2014 to 2015 and 2019 to 2023: A thorough update of the statutes and internal regulations in accordance with international best practices in corporate governance for associations.
• 2018: Launch of the World Congress for the first time in history, held in Lisbon, and subsequently in Paris in 2022.
• 2019: Distinguished in Finland with the Influencer of the Year award, presented by SF Caravan.
• 2022: Creation of World Camping Day. Established on 29 June, it achieved official recognition from UN Tourism in 2022, placing global camping on the sustainable tourism agenda.
• 2026: The high level of engagement in the celebration of World Camping Day, driven by the new website, and the consecration in Germany, where the General Assembly ratified, through the ballot box, the re-election of João Alves Pereira for another presidential term, marking his 21 years of leadership and institutional stability at the helm of world camping.

Even in the face of severe crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which demanded diplomacy and rigorous contingency management, João Alves Pereira’s leadership has been characterised by strict institutional neutrality. By keeping the federation immune to geopolitical, ideological, or local disputes, the leader ensured that the sector’s major powers continued to recognise the F.I.C.C. presidency as a benchmark of stability, credibility, and balance. Managing an international community means working daily with people from very different cultures, visions, and political, religious, and social realities. The secret to this longevity lies in the ability to promote dialogue, prioritise common sense, and build consensus, keeping the F.I.C.C. as a truly neutral organisation, open to all and focused exclusively on the development of outdoor tourism.

The recent re-election represents more than the continuity of a presidency. It constitutes the renewed trust of the member federations and clubs in a vision that, over 21 years, has sought to reinforce the role of the F.I.C.C. as a global reference for outdoor tourism, promoting international cooperation, sustainability, and friendship between peoples through camping, caravanning, and motorcaravanning.

President’s Message for the New Term: Towards 2027

João Alves Pereira shares a message of commitment and hope, projecting the sector towards the challenges of ecological sustainability and innovation:

“The vote of confidence expressed in Germany renews our commitment to a global agenda of progress. I begin this term with my eyes set on 2027, the year that the United Nations has officially proclaimed as the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism (a major milestone that further reinforces the relevance of outdoor tourism and the contribution of the camping community to a more sustainable future). This observance will represent the greatest platform for asserting our activities as pillars of balanced and environmentally friendly tourism development.

The future of camping, caravanning, and motorcaravanning is built with audacity, sustainability, and innovation, bringing new generations closer to nature and consolidating our activity as an instrument of peace and unity among peoples. It is with this sense of mission that we will continue to build bridges, proving that true merit is demonstrated through work, unity, and tangible results on a global scale.

The renewed confidence of the member federations and clubs represents a responsibility that I accept with humility and determination. We will continue to work to strengthen the F.I.C.C., promote outdoor tourism, and bring people, cultures, and generations closer together through the values that have always distinguished our movement. The future is built together, and it is in this spirit of unity, respect, and international cooperation that we begin this new term.”

João Alves Pereira
President of the F.I.C.C.,
Fédération Internationale de Camping, Caravanning et Autocaravaning
Lisbon, 17 July 2026