Not only campsites experienced a remarkable revival after 15 June, the sector association Camping & Caravan Industry also reports a sales record of caravans, campers and tents. In March, at the start of the camping season, small-scale campsites were particularly hard hit by the necessary corona measures. The sanitary buildings had to remain closed and the Netherlands had to stay at home as much as possible. It remained terrifyingly quiet at all campsites. The recreation world screamed murder and fire, nail-biting camping owners saw the 2020 camping season completely fail with huge sales declines and losses. The SVR insisted on letting go of the intelligent lockdown, after which - albeit a few weeks late for the small campsites - the redeeming word came: 'the toilets and showers were allowed to reopen on 15 June'.

Run on camping shops and grounds
Because travel abroad was often discouraged and fewer flights were forced to take place in European airspace, holidaymakers had to look for an alternative. The cabinet's appeal to remain mainly in their own country did not fail to have its effect. Many decided to book a camping holiday instead of a flying holiday. A tent, caravan or camper was purchased and they went on the farm. The camping industry noticed a catch-up with sales of more than 7000 caravans and about 2500 campers, while the Free Recreation Foundation had its hands full registering new donors and helping them in their search for a place on a farm campsite.

SVR also happy with campers in 2021
Despite the fact that the world is now again hit by the stubborn defense of corona, people continue to hope for corona-free times before 2021. SVR is already looking forward to this, albeit with cautious optimism. Many campers enjoyed a quiet and relaxing holiday at the farm this year and discovered the beauty of their own land; absolutely worth repeating, according to the SVR. 

Municipalities happy too?
In addition to the recreation sector, Dutch municipalities are already cautiously hoping for a massive influx of tourists in 2021. Some municipalities are already working on the budget for the new year, in which many gaps will have to be closed again. Experience shows that the holiday-maker is a welcome dairy cow for this, who, as a tourist tax payable, ensures a nice filling of those gaps every year. Also in 2021. It is worrying, however, that there are municipalities that are now considering a large increase of 100% for this tax, with the largest outlier being the municipality of Terneuzen with a proposed increase of up to 100%. The SVR finds this incomprehensible and reprehensible: after all, in every municipality, campsites and retailers benefit from a healthy flow of tourists; unbridled increases in the tourist tax will actually drive tourists away abroad. 

Call SVR
That is why the SVR urges the municipalities to leave the level of the tourist tax untouched in the coming year and, if possible, to abolish it gradually. 

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