The camper car and leisure car sector of the motor vehicle industry is enjoying a boom, according to the president of the French Professional Camping Car Syndicate, Francois Feuillet, who is hosting the 38th annual conference at Seine St Denis this week.

Sales figures for camper vans in France have risen by over 10 per cent in the year ending 31 August 2003, compared to the previous year and totalled 17,267 vehicles.

“Camper vans and leisure vehicles are a niche market”, said Feuillet. “The clients, who are generally getting older, are spending more and more money”, he added.

According to M. Feuillet, there is a big difference between caravans and camping cars: “The versatile camping car can be used on average, 17 times a year, whereas the caravan will only be used in summer on camp sites.”