Campsites, playgrounds and amusement parks will open again this Easter weekend. It is the start of a new tourist season. And how is that after two years of corona restrictions?
A packed car is parked next to a caravan on the De Berenkuil campsite in Grolloo. While father and son straighten the caravan, mother sits with her eyes closed in the sun. They have just completed a ride from Rotterdam.
“It is wonderful. It is the first weekend we are here and it really feels like coming home again.” The trio has been coming to the Berenkuil every weekend for 17 years during the season. They were also there during the corona period. “Seasonal campers were allowed to come. It was a bit less pleasant then.”
Owner Sanne Veenstra of de Berenkuil hopes to regain that cosiness soon. “We just scratched the 1.5 meter stickers off the ground. The fenders are gone and the disinfection pumps no longer need to be there. It’s back to normal.”
The Berenkuil has an occupancy of 70 percent this weekend. Many families with young children stay at the park. Children run to and fro to the playground. Easter crafts are made in the recreation room. And the sun makes for happy and cheerful faces. Yet Veenstra notices people’s reluctance to book a holiday. “The concerns are not really over yet. People remain cautious. Now also because of the war in Ukraine. They don’t just want to cut off a holiday.”
It is double, because the Berenkuil has performed well in the last two years. Last summer, the campsite was full for five weeks. Normally there are three. Veenstra: “We’ve never been so busy. Even though we weren’t allowed to have anything open, they came here anyway.”
For Rob Quint of the Empire of Kabouters in Eext, the corona period was a drama. “Last year we opened at the end of May, the previous year only in July. That was annoying. We survived and we’re going for it again.” To cover the costs, Quint worked in construction. “They need plenty of people there. But I prefer to sit among the gnomes. Nice weather, children playing and pleasant music in the background. What more could you want!”
The inhabitants of the Empire of the Gnomes have had a cleaning. With shiny red pointed hats they are in the forest waiting for a visit. According to Quint, the gnomes thought the corona period was fine. “Look at how they are shining, they had a great time. They thought it was a nice rest. Normally they have to be happy for seven months. In recent years that was only two months.”
At camping de Berenkuil they are confident that it will be a great season. Sanne Veenstra is fully engaged in the energy transition to ensure that everything runs smoothly with the rising energy prices. “Last year we purchased a heat pump to heat the swimming pool. We have solar collectors, we are completely energy neutral.”
The impending shortage of food supplies has also been considered. Veenstra has had a refrigerated container placed behind the store. “We now have a turnover of two days, and with this container we hope to be able to last a week in the high season. We will soon be buying croissants, pistoles and ice creams in bulk.”