Farm camping is often without a farm – Nieuwe Oogst

More and more camps and rural accommodations operate with or without a hobby farm. This is expected to increase now that farmers are starting to change course due to stop-and-go plans.

“The trend has been going on for years,” says Arjan Monteny, LTO Head of Multifunctional Agriculture. There are no confirmed figures on the number of farms that do not have an agricultural branch. Montaigne suspected half of the total.

Trade association president Ellen Cook Hendricks-Fikabo keeps the rate at 35 per cent. “Sometimes it’s hard to say exactly when you’re talking about an agricultural business or hobby farmer,” she says.

Value Added

Montaigne considers the combination of residence and agricultural management to be important for character. According to him, it must be emphasized that the farm offers added value.

You have beautiful camps all around. But with agricultural production you add something to the visitor experience. For example, you can eat cherries from the orchard in the camp. The ability to tell the story of the farm added value. That’s what makes it special, Montaigne says. “If you don’t have your own business, see if you can do something with your neighbor.”

Kok-Hendriks takes a more nuanced view of this: ‘Agricultural environment is important. Our guests want to book a nice place in the countryside. How many cows or sheep are there and who they belong to doesn’t really matter to most guests. What matters to them is the countryside experience and the space.’

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Montaigne expects more farmers to convert entirely to a farm camping site, bed and breakfast, group accommodation or vacation homes now that stopover schemes are in place. We’ve also seen this in previous waves of therapy. It is of course a choice that everyone has to make for themselves.

Montini says multifunctional agriculture is one of the transformation paths the government is considering. But if you use a downtime system, you don’t have to reduce your company to zero. Agroforestry or some beef cattle may be combined. Entrepreneurs who want to transform are advised to orient themselves well.

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According to Kok-Hendriks, occupancy of campsites and other accommodations changes this season. Some tourists book early and come anyway. Places near the sea are fully booked for almost the entire season. The accommodation inside still has space. Chief Vakebo believes that late decision makers have moved to certain sun destinations due to the changeable summer weather.

Marry Reinders from the Den Hoek farm camp site in Wilp-Achterhoek in Gelderland also experiences: ‘I think people will take the opportunity to go abroad again after the Corona period, because it has been packed here for the past two years. Then we even had to say no. Now you can choose a location.

Wilfried ten Brinke from De Kuupershoek farm camp in Den Ham in Overijssel agrees: “Everything was full during corona. But it’s different now and with this weather it’s less attractive to be here in the camp. Occupation is a bit disappointing these weeks.