“The Future is Built through Unity, Sustainability and International Cooperation”
Editorial Note: An initiative of the Press and Communications Office of the Presidency, we share this exclusive interview conducted for the official F.I.C.C. portal, in which João Alves Pereira reflects on the challenges of international leadership, the key achievements of his twenty-one-year presidency, and the strategic vision for his new term.
F.I.C.C.: We are here with the President of the F.I.C.C., who has just renewed his mandate. First of all, congratulations on your re-election. While many people around the world know you, who is the man standing before us today? Who is João, the man behind the office?
João Alves Pereira: Thank you very much for your congratulations. Behind the role of President, the meetings in Brussels, or the international stages, there is simply someone who is deeply passionate about outdoor life.
I was born and raised in Lisbon, where I discovered the freedom of camping at a young age through the Portuguese Camping and Caravanning Federation. I have always found nature to be a place of freedom and balance. I believe profoundly in friendship between people and in unity among nations and cultures. I believe that, regardless of where we are born or the culture in which we are raised, we are all more alike than we might imagine. Despite our differences, we share the same fundamental human values.
I am someone who treasures simplicity, who enjoys hearing the sound of the wind through the trees, sharing a genuine conversation around a table, and seeing a world without barriers. The office of President is temporary, but the spirit of a camper, the curiosity to discover new cultures, and respect for others are the values that define me as a man, and those I will carry with me forever.
F.I.C.C.: When you first assumed the presidency in 2005, what were your immediate priorities?
João Alves Pereira: It was absolutely essential to stabilise the organisation financially and to rebuild trust with our members and partners. We established a solid institutional framework and actively strengthened our international presence.
F.I.C.C.: What do you consider to be the greatest achievements of these past 21 years?
João Alves Pereira: Institutional strengthening, the expansion of international events, our outreach into new regions, the repositioning of the F.I.C.C. as the global benchmark for outdoor tourism, and the consolidation of key initiatives such as the Camping Card International and World Camping Day.
My recent re-election in Germany and the historic success of World Camping Day on June 29, 2026, demonstrate that our members endorse this path and wish to continue building on a solid foundation.
F.I.C.C.: Your academic background combines Pharmaceutical Sciences with specialisations in Management, Finance, and Marketing. How did this corporate and strategic marketing vision influence the direction of the F.I.C.C., and how did you handle the initial scepticism of those who did not understand or resisted this paradigm shift?
João Alves Pereira: Traditional voluntary associations sometimes find it difficult to absorb modern management concepts, initially viewing them with a degree of reservation. However, when I assumed the presidency, the F.I.C.C. urgently needed professionalisation, financial sustainability, and a global communication strategy. Applying marketing methodologies, resource optimisation, and corporate rigour was not merely a choice; it was the key to our survival.
The best response to initial doubts or resistance is the solidity of facts: we restored the federation’s finances, acquired our own headquarters in Brussels, tripled the value of our digital assets, and established the F.I.C.C. as a direct partner to some of the world’s most prominent international tourism organisations. In the end, results always speak louder than any initial resistance.
F.I.C.C.: Many people assume that the F.I.C.C. organises campsites directly. Could you clarify the federation’s true role?
João Alves Pereira: The F.I.C.C. is an umbrella organisation that brings together national and international clubs, associations, and federations. We do not operate campsites for the general public. Instead, we coordinate global events in partnership with our members and represent the sector internationally before leading global bodies, such as UN Tourism and the International Social Tourism Organisation (ISTO).
F.I.C.C.: Camping has evolved tremendously over the last two decades. How do you view this transformation?
João Alves Pereira: Today, we see a spectrum ranging from traditional tents to luxury glamping, alongside caravans, motorhomes, and mobile homes. The core spirit of connecting with nature remains entirely unchanged, but the offering has diversified to welcome a much wider range of profiles and preferences.
F.I.C.C.: In the past, camping was often labelled as a “budget” or “low-resource” holiday option. Today, with the rise of high-end motorhomes and glamping, some argue it is becoming a form of “luxury” tourism. How do you analyse this prejudice and shift in perception?
João Alves Pereira: This is an excellent question because it goes to the very heart of camping as a social phenomenon. Camping as a leisure activity was indeed born from the democratisation of the right to holidays, but its true value has never been about a low price tag; it has always been about the immense freedom of waking up with the sea at your doorstep or falling asleep under a canopy of stars with the breeze on your face.
What has changed is not the spirit, but the level of comfort demanded by new generations and the technological innovation now available. A camper who invests in a sophisticated motorhome or prefers glamping today is not looking for ostentation; they are seeking comfort in their communion with nature.
Camping has not become elitist, nor has it lost its popular roots. It has simply become more inclusive, bringing together people from every social background. Indeed, it remains the only form of tourism in the world capable of welcoming, in the exact same space and in absolute equality, those travelling with a simple backpack and those with a highly sophisticated vehicle. This democratic coexistence is our greatest wealth.
F.I.C.C.: On June 29, 2026, we witnessed historic success in the celebrations of World Camping Day. How do you assess the global impact of this day?
João Alves Pereira: It was a truly memorable and unprecedented milestone, greatly enhanced by the launch of our new official website. Seeing thousands of campers, clubs, and federations from every continent united in celebrating our shared passion was living proof that camping is stronger and more dynamic than ever.
World Camping Day has transcended being just a date on the calendar; it is now a global movement that champions sustainability, friendship among nations, and environmental respect. This success demonstrated the immense vitality of our community.
F.I.C.C.: After twenty-one years as President of the F.I.C.C., what significance do you attribute to the fact that Portugal continues to be represented at the helm of the Federation?
João Alves Pereira: It is a source of immense pride, not only personally, but above all for the prestige it brings to Portugal. Leading an international organisation with a history of over 90 years, headquartered in Brussels, and maintaining the unanimous trust of 71 federations across 37 countries on all continents – while navigating highly complex international realities – proves that Portuguese leaders possess world-class diplomacy, leadership, and strategic vision.
Often, true recognition and due appreciation for our work arrive first from abroad, through the most representative federations of the international camping movement, which recognise and respect this administration. Knowing that the flag of Portugal remains at the pinnacle of global camping, backed by the express support of our member federations and clubs during the General Assembly in Germany, is the finest response and the greatest motivation to continue projecting our country on the world stage.
F.I.C.C.: Despite this intense activity on the international stage, you maintain a close connection to the Portuguese reality, currently serving as President of the Board of the General Assembly of the Lisbon Camping Club (Clube de Campismo de Lisboa). How important is it to remain involved at the local level?
João Alves Pereira: It is fundamental to keeping one’s feet on the ground. Anyone holding high-ranking international offices runs the risk of becoming detached from the daily reality of the practitioners.
The Lisbon Camping Club is a historic institution in Portugal. Serving its members allows me to maintain direct contact with the grassroots of the association movement, hear their aspirations, and understand the real challenges facing the sector on the ground. This local experience greatly enriches my global perspective.
F.I.C.C.: Given the experience you have accumulated over more than two decades of international leadership and your standing with global bodies, is the possibility of leading or structuring a development project for the sector in Portugal on your horizon?
João Alves Pereira: It is a possibility that I view very naturally and with great openness. The knowledge, network of contacts, and strategic vision I have gathered during my presidency of the F.I.C.C. represent a highly valuable asset that I would gladly place directly at the service of Portugal.
Our country has extraordinary potential for outdoor tourism, but it still requires structural reforms and fresh strategic approaches that marry economic growth with real ecological sustainability. If the right opportunity and project arise to lead or advise on this transformation within Portugal, I am entirely available to make that contribution.
F.I.C.C.: Managing a global federation requires dealing with highly complex political, religious, and geopolitical sensitivities. What is the secret to keeping the grassroots united and the F.I.C.C. immune to internal divisions for over two decades?
João Alves Pereira: The secret lies in strict institutional neutrality and an absolute focus on what truly matters: the development of camping and the unity of its practitioners. On the international stage, we constantly deal with crises, conflicts, government changes, and tensions between nations. If we allowed ourselves to be swayed by philosophical debates, political agendas, or particular interests, the organisation would have fractured long ago.
While some lose themselves in minor disputes or local distractions, our leadership remains focused on high diplomacy, common sense, and building bridges. The F.I.C.C. is a house of mutual respect. Keeping a steady course with stability, without yielding to external pressures or noise, is what ensures that the major international powers of the sector continue to view our presidency as a safe harbour and a model of good governance.
F.I.C.C.: You were recently re-elected at the General Assembly in Germany to continue this 21-year journey. What does this new election represent, and what are the major challenges for the mandate you are now beginning?
João Alves Pereira: This re-election in Germany represents, above all, a vote of confidence and an increased responsibility. In a sector operating in an increasingly competitive international environment, where different visions and priorities often coexist, the outcome of the vote confirmed that our members endorse the path of stability, unity, and institutional neutrality we have pursued.
For this new term, the key challenges are centred on ecological sustainability, environmental preservation, and technological innovation. We must engage the younger generations, accelerate the digital transition with projects like the eCCI (the electronic version of our card), and ensure that this form of tourism remains inclusive and accessible to everyone.
F.I.C.C.: You mentioned that this new mandate projects the federation toward 2027, the year officially proclaimed by UN Tourism as the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism. How will the F.I.C.C. position itself regarding this global milestone?
João Alves Pereira: This United Nations declaration is a milestone of historic importance and an extraordinary opportunity for our federation. Outdoor tourism is, by definition, one of the most resilient forms of tourism, and one of the forms most directly linked to ecological sustainability. In 2027, we want the F.I.C.C. to be one of the leading international voices of this movement.
We will not limit ourselves to merely celebrating the date; we will use it as an institutional platform to demonstrate to international bodies that camping, caravanning, and motorhoming are not just leisure activities, but essential pillars of local economic development and environmental preservation. It will be the year to consolidate our strategic partnerships with UN Tourism and to prove that the future of global tourism must pass through the respect for nature that we have championed for nearly a century.
F.I.C.C.: This re-election in Germany was widely applauded and recognised by the main international camping federations. Throughout these 21 years, you have received several international distinctions, and you have just been re-elected once again by the members of the F.I.C.C. How do you view this recognition?
João Alves Pereira: I receive such recognition with great humility and, above all, with the deep sense of responsibility that high diplomacy demands. In international association life, the recognition of the sector’s main international federations should not be seen as a personal trophy, but rather as the validation of a collective direction. Seeing some of the most important European and international federations celebrate this outcome in Germany as a guarantee of stability and competence for our sector is the strongest indicator that our strategy is correct.
The truth is, I am no better than anyone else, nor do I feel that way; what I feel daily is the weight and the honour of leading a historic federation like the F.I.C.C. I do not work in search of praise or congratulations, as my focus is exclusively on serving the F.I.C.C. and the millions of enthusiasts we represent worldwide. The true power and legitimacy of our leadership stem from the vote of confidence of the member federations and clubs that make up the F.I.C.C., and this international recognition is the perfect fuel to keep projecting camping into the future.
F.I.C.C.: And what is your dream for the future of the F.I.C.C.?
João Alves Pereira: That the F.I.C.C. remains an open home for all campers, promoting peace, friendship, international cooperation, and respect for nature. I would like future generations to find a Federation that is even stronger, more modern, and prepared to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world, without ever losing the values that gave it birth.
F.I.C.C.: After so many years of service to the F.I.C.C., what legacy would you like to leave when your journey eventually comes to an end?
João Alves Pereira: I would like it to be said one day simply that I found a strong Federation and left an even stronger one. That I served the institution with loyalty, respect, and a true sense of mission. Leaders pass and people change, but institutions endure. If I can leave behind an organisation that is more prepared for the future, more united, and more respected internationally, I will feel that I have fulfilled my mission.
F.I.C.C.: Over these past 30-plus years, you have had the opportunity to visit dozens of countries and experience different cultures. Was there any moment that left a special mark on you, one you will never forget?
João Alves Pereira: Every country I have had the privilege to visit has been special in its own way. Each culture, nation, and tradition has its own identity, and that is precisely what makes the world so fascinating. I have always been deeply interested in history, civilisations, and different ways of life, so every journey has been an opportunity to learn, grow, and broaden my perspective.
Through the F.I.C.C., I have visited dozens of countries, built friendships that transcend borders, and gained a deeper understanding of people and cultures. Those experiences have reinforced my conviction that, despite our differences, we all share the same fundamental aspirations: peace, friendship, respect, and the desire for a better future.
If you asked me to choose a single defining moment, I simply could not. More than three decades of international experiences have shaped both the person I am and the way I lead. They have strengthened my belief that dialogue and mutual understanding are the strongest bridges between nations.
Ultimately, I believe the mission of the F.I.C.C. goes far beyond promoting camping, caravanning, and motorhoming. It is about bringing people and cultures closer together and demonstrating that respect, friendship, and cooperation are universal values. I remain convinced that it is through dialogue and cooperation among nations that we can build a better world.
F.I.C.C.: Do you have a final message to leave with our readers?
João Alves Pereira: I want to express my deepest gratitude for the renewed trust of the F.I.C.C. member federations and clubs, as well as for the hard work of everyone who contributes daily to the growth of our movement. The presidency of an international federation is never the result of a single person’s effort. It is a responsibility shared by directors, volunteers, clubs, federations, and millions of campers worldwide.
We will continue to work with humility, a sense of responsibility, and a spirit of cooperation so that outdoor tourism continues to be a benchmark for sustainability, friendship, and peace among peoples. The future is built together, and it is in this spirit that I begin this new mandate.
As long as I have the honour of holding this office, I will continue to work with the same dedication, independence, and spirit of service that have guided me since day one. The future of the F.I.C.C. will continue to be built alongside all those who believe that camping is much more than a way to travel: it is a way of life, of respecting nature, and of bringing people of all cultures together.
Thank you very much for your trust. Let us continue, together, to build a future where camping continues to unite people, cultures, and generations across all continents.
João Alves Pereira
President of the F.I.C.C.,
Fédération Internationale de Camping, Caravanning et Autocaravaning
Lisbon, 17 July 2026
