NACE 55.3 – Camping Grounds, Recreational Vehicle Parks and Trailer Parks | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 55.3 covers the economic activity of operating camping grounds, motorhome pitches and caravan parks with associated sanitary facilities and infrastructure. In public procurement, these services are mainly relevant for awarding operating concessions for municipal camping grounds and procuring infrastructure services for public leisure facilities.

Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: January 2026

What does NACE 55.3 cover?

NACE 55.3 (Camping grounds, recreational vehicle parks and trailer parks) classifies the operation of pitches for tents, motorhomes and caravans together with the associated infrastructure — a segment which becomes relevant in public procurement primarily through concession awards and infrastructure tenders.

Group 55.3 within Section I (Accommodation and food service activities) and Division 55 (Accommodation) covers the following types of operation:

Public contracting authorities under NACE 55.3 are primarily municipalities, communes and districts that manage or concession the operation of municipal camping grounds, as well as national park administrations, public-sector forestry enterprises and tourism associations with public participation.

Public Tenders: Activities under NACE 55.3

Camping grounds in public ownership are frequently awarded to private operators via concession procedures — a procurement-law instrument with specific requirements for contracting authorities and bidders.

Typical types of contract

• Concession awards for municipal camping grounds: Public bodies transfer the operation and operating risk of a municipal camping ground to private operators for a defined term
• Infrastructure works on public camping grounds: Modernisation of sanitary facilities, renewal of electricity supply, construction of service stations for motorhomes
• Motorhome pitches in city centres: Municipal tenders for the construction and operation of public motorhome pitches as part of tourism promotion
• IT and booking systems: Procurement of booking and cashier systems for publicly operated camping grounds
• Cleaning and maintenance of communal facilities: Maintenance and cleaning of public sanitary facilities at camping and leisure sites
• Security and order services: Operational support at seasonal camping grounds in spa and recreation areas

Thresholds and procedure types

Concession awards under the EU Concessions Directive (2014/23/EU) are subject to an EU-wide publication obligation above a threshold of EUR 5,538,000. Services concessions are awarded under special procedural rules (concession notice). Classical works and service contracts for camping ground infrastructure are subject to the general thresholds.

Relevant CPV codes for NACE 55.3

The following CPV codes are decisive for targeted searches for tenders in the camping ground segment.

Current tenders with these CPV codes can be found on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) as well as on national procurement platforms.

For whom is NACE 55.3 relevant in public procurement?

Public contracting authorities

Municipalities and communes are the dominant contracting authorities in the area of municipal camping grounds. Many German municipalities operate camping grounds as part of their public services in the leisure and tourism sector. In Austria, local camping grounds are often managed by tourism associations with municipal participation or directly by municipalities. National park administrations and forestry authorities (e.g. Bundesforste in Austria, state forestry administrations in Germany) operate nature-oriented camping grounds and award their operation through concessions.

Companies and bidders

Camping ground operators and concession applicants should consider the following points:

• Economic viability: Evidence of a robust business plan with turnover and profitability planning
• Experience: References as camping ground operator or in comparable leisure operations
• Environmental and nature conservation requirements: Requirements for the protection of sensitive ecosystems, wastewater disposal, noise protection
• Tourism certifications: ADAC classifications, DCC standards or national quality marks may be evaluated as quality features
• Accessibility: Requirements for wheelchair-accessible sanitary facilities and pitches

Frequently asked questions about NACE 55.3 and public tenders

Which operations fall under NACE 55.3?
All undertakings and facilities that provide pitches for tents, motorhomes and caravans, including the associated sanitary and supply infrastructure. Operations that additionally offer permanent accommodation (holiday houses, cabins) may, depending on their focus, also fall under NACE 55.2.

What is a concession award and how does it differ from a normal contract?
With a concession, the operator bears the economic operating risk and is funded through user fees (e.g. camping fees). With a classical service contract, the public contracting authority bears the remuneration risk. The EU Concessions Directive applies to concessions from EUR 5.538 million.

How do I find concession tenders for camping grounds?
Concession notices are published on TED and national notice portals. Search for CPV 55220000 or for the "concession notice" form on TED.

NACE 55.3 in context: Section I and Division 55

• NACE I – Accommodation and food service activities: Parent section covering all accommodation and food service activities
• NACE 55 – Accommodation: Division covering all forms of accommodation
• NACE 55.1 – Hotels and similar accommodation: Classical hotel operations
• NACE 55.2 – Holiday and other short-stay accommodation: Holiday flats, recreation homes, group accommodation
• NACE 55.9 – Other accommodation: Youth hostels, asylum accommodation

Last updated: January 2026
All information is provided without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.