Mark de Vos, CEO of Goboony, Europe's largest RV travel sharing platform, advocates a rethink of the current ban on wild camping in the Netherlands. He suggests allowing this in a small-scale and controlled way. De Vos sees a permit system for itself, for a select number of campers who have provenhas to be able to behave in the wild. "In the Netherlands we are facing enormous pressure on popular vacation destinations, because everyone goes on vacation at the same time. Would it not be possible to give people who are looking for peace, nature and freedom, under clear conditions, the chance to stay in nature in a number of carefully selected places?" states De Vos.
The ban on wild camping, in effect since June 1, 2020, was introduced to protect fragile nature and prevent abuse of natural areas. De Vos acknowledges that nature is scarce in the Netherlands and that unregulated wild camping can upset the ecological balance. He compares this to countries like Scotland and Norway, where there is much more room for wild camping.
Yet he believes that such a ban need not be strictly necessary in the Netherlands: "It's about balance. With a permit system that takes into account numbers, locations, length of stay and seasonal restrictions, we should be able to find a way."
Online nature exams
Not just anyone should be able to get a permit. De Vos suggests that potential campers take an online exam, similar to exams in other disciplines, to test their knowledge of conservation and responsible camping. For example, as is now done in Occupational Safety and Health courses. First, participants immerse themselves in the subject matter through an online module. Then they take online exams. "At Goboony, we have a rule that you always leave a camping spot cleaner than how you found it.
We see that people like to roll up their sleeves, provided they can count on others to do the same. And therefore this responsibility should apply to everyone who wants to spend time in nature. Such an exam can contribute to awareness and care for nature. The current ban on wild camping goes too far and deprives Dutch people of a unique way to experience their own country. We all know an example of children who have been to Asia, Africa or America, but have never done anything adventurous in their own country.
It is time to revise these strict rules and make the Netherlands free again for adventurous campers who really want it," De Vos said. He acknowledges that there will still be obstacles to implementing such a system, but is optimistic: "Where there is a will, there is a way."
