The campsite in Boden is a central part of the summer tourism industry. Both Swedish and international guests come here to experience the nature, the community and the proximity to Boden city center. We have met Leif Larsson, destination manager and Jennie Svensson, reception manager at First Camp Boden, to hear how the summer of 2025 has been.
A season with more satisfied guests
The summer started a little nervously with fewer pre-bookings than usual, but the result was still successful.
"We were a little worried at the beginning, but it was a really good summer with more satisfied guests than in previous years," says Jennie Svensson, reception manager at First Camp in Boden.
The fact that guests leave the campsite with positive experiences is something the team is particularly proud of. Satisfied visitors not only mean returning guests, but also strengthen Boden as a destination. The stable occupancy and the nice weather also meant that the other offers, such as the outdoor pool, were very popular.
Norwegian guests - an important market
Norwegian guests remain one of the campsite's most important target groups. In January-June 2025 alone, 37,067 Norwegian guest nights were registered at the campsite.
"We definitely believe that the efforts towards the Norwegian market are making a difference. We will continue to be visible in Northern Norway - it's our biggest market and we want to be the obvious choice. We were together with Visit Boden at the Lions Motorhome and Caravan Fair in Northern Norway and wemet some of the people we met during the summer " - says Leif Larsson.
Visit Boden has also invested in advertising in both northern Norway and northern Finland.
"This is the second year in a row that we are doing targeted marketing there. Norwegian guests are an incredibly important market for our restaurants and shops in the city center. A big advantage of camping in Boden is precisely the proximity to the center. As Leif mentioned, we participated together with First Camp at the fair in Northern Norway and experienced a great interest. It is important that we continue to nurture the relationship with the Norwegian market, so that Boden remains an obvious choice for their trips." - says Alvina Pettersson, Business Developer at Visit Boden.
Families, retirees and international guests
Families and retirees are still the main target groups, but more and more international guests are finding their way here.
"We have had more Germans and French this summer " - says Jennie Svensson, Reception Manager
At the same time, new trends in guest travel are emerging. Shorter stays and more people traveling by motorhome and van are becoming more common.
New concepts and pride in staff
One of the summer's innovations was the bistro's buffet evenings and a new show concept with entertainment, which has been appreciated not least by Norwegian families with children.
"What I am most proud of are my colleagues. Jenny and Jocke have taken great responsibility this summer and that means a lot " - says Leif Larsson.
The campsite has also invested in a new outdoor gym that combines exercise with a playground environment for both young and old.
Challenges and lessons learned
The biggest challenge has been late bookings.
"Many people now wait until the last minute before booking, which can create challenges in planning. At the same time, guests have learned that it is possible to arrive spontaneously and book on the spot " - explains Jennie.
Text: Alvina Pettersson, Boden Turism / Visit Boden
