It has now been more than three months since holidaymakers at camping Meerzicht bought their place back from EuroParcs. Since then, the new owners have not been idle. A lot needs to be done in Matsloot.
Overdue maintenance must be addressed and new residents must be allocated a place. But that is not easy. “We are even stricter than the government,” laughs Daniella van Gennep, referring to the image quality plan and the plan for nature on and around the campsite. “Not only the new residents, but also the plants and animals around the campsite must be able to continue to live here.”
To preserve this natural environment, holidaymakers have planted another hundred trees and shrubs. They receive this from the Nature and Environment Federation (NMF) in the context of ‘Plan Boom’. “Together with Landscape Management Drenthe, we have the ambition to plant 1 to 2 trees per resident of Drenthe,” says Judith van den Berg of NMF.
Van den Berg is familiar with the special route of the campsite. “I think it’s great that the holidaymakers have bought back the campsite from EuroParcs and that they are now working on making the site more beautiful and greener. New trees naturally fit in perfectly with that.”
The ‘greening’ and embellishment of the campsite are things that make holidaymakers happy. But as new entrepreneurs, they also have to deal with the abundance of laws and regulations that come with entrepreneurship. “Just the insurance we have to take out for all sorts of things,” laughs Van Gennep. “We are taking it step by step. Last year it was a sprint to manage the campsite. Now it will be a marathon to keep the campsite running smoothly.”
Money is also needed for this. “It is now important that we have our financial house in order and do not go bankrupt in the first year,” says Van Gennep. “In the meantime, you want to tackle the campsite. We are an association (Vereniging Parkbelangen Leekstermeer, ed.) And so we do it like this low budget possible.”
This means that the holidaymakers try to get money in a creative way. “We are applying for funds and hope to receive a contribution from the Vital Holiday Parks programme. That is also necessary if you look at what needs to be done.”
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