It has almost never happened in the Netherlands: the sudden closure of a large holiday park, with guests having to leave within a few days. The world of tourism is watching with interest. Tourism expert Goof Lukken: “Entrepreneurs see that the government can certainly close you down in such a way if you do not have your affairs in order.”
Lukken has been involved in the tourist industry for years. He is a tourism lecturer at the Breda University of Applied Sciences. Lukken thinks that Gillis’ colleagues have an opinion about his way of working.
“It is not the image that the industry would like to project. As if every campsite owner only drives around the site in a golf cart, while it is a tough business. Gillis is a big player. But is he an entrepreneur like all the others? Most colleagues are in it with passion and drive. For example, they do nature management. They don’t see that happening with Peter Gillis’s Massa is Kassa formula.”
According to Lukken, Gillis has so far mainly been affected by the withdrawal of catering permits at its parks. “But now he is no longer allowed to run the park at all. This is really a climax. It’s looking worse and worse. When you have less income, it becomes a very high cost item to take measures to better manage matters in the park.”
“This has been a very difficult decision for the municipality. You are in a split”
It is not high season now. Perhaps Gillis is less bothered by it now. “But everything will start again at Easter,” says Lukken. “It seems far away, but people are now thinking about whether they will book there. Or choose a different place.”
Why do people keep booking a holiday with the controversial entrepreneur? “I think he has many loyal guests. People feel a bond with him. They think he is a good entrepreneur. They get fun for a reasonably low price. Beer together on the terrace with Dutch music.”
The question is whether Gillis can restart his park on time. Goof Lukken is also in the dark about this. “It depends what the flaws are. And what is the hint of the Bibob hanging over it?” The closure of the park follows a Bibob investigation which showed that Gillis may be using his permits for criminal purposes.
“It could be possible that he will return, although that will not happen overnight. The economic value of the park is enormous for Asten.” The holiday park generates a lot of tourist tax and real estate tax for the municipality. “This has been a very difficult decision for the municipality. You are in a conflict.”
According to Lukken, there are candidates if Gillis wants to sell the park. “You should think of large investors, such as Landal/Roompot or an international party such as Capfun. The park is worth millions and requires a lot of investment. But so far Gillis has bought more than he sold.”
“Developments in the market could also doom Gillis”
According to Lukken, Gillis’ formula is not only threatened by Bibob investigations and a government that is bothering him. The developments in the camping market could also doom the entrepreneur if he does not change anything.
“Camping no longer has the image of walking to the toilet with a toilet roll under your arm. Glamping, for example, is on the rise. Gillis has simple mobile homes, but there are new, more luxurious variants on the market. The wishes for a holiday accommodation are increasing. International chains are entering this market and are increasingly taking over. If he doesn’t do anything, that could also break him.”
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