Traditional campsites under pressure; how is that possible?
Last week I was allowed to shed my light on the questions why traditional campsites are increasingly under pressure and have to make way for luxury holiday homes. This interview was for the KRO-NCRV program 'Pointer'. It is a rather complex story where quite a lot of emotion is involved. However, this is not an entirely new trend, but something that has been going on for years. The article lists the following explanatory factors as to why this happens:
1. Consumer wants more luxury
It is a phenomenon that has been occurring for years, so-called petrification, whereby the traditional campsites make way for holiday parks or cottage sites. It partly has to do with the consumer (great urge for luxury, space and comfort).
2. The Corona effect accelerates and makes visible
Corona may have accelerated this trend and especially made it extra visible. In Corona time, the importance of recreation / leisure in our own country was emphasized. Many people have spent their holidays in their own country and rediscovered the Netherlands. These people now more often want to rent or buy a second house in a park, as a result of which the demand for more luxurious holiday homes has increased considerably.
3. A profitable investment
In addition, it is also important that investments play an important role. Holiday parks appear to be a profitable investment opportunity for private individuals with equity capital. It seems as if the madness at the housing market is spreading to the recreation market. The craziness you see on the housing market, you see a bit of spillover on the recreation market. At the moment you barely get any interest on your savings and people who are well off in the Netherlands are looking for a smart investment.