Since launching in 2021, Ronald and Floor Loot have been operating “Welcome to the Farm,” a mini campsite located in Nagele, a village in the Noordoostpolder region of the Netherlands.
Originally, the couple had no intention of opening a campsite on their property, but the idea took root during the COVID-19 pandemic when a colleague suggested the concept.
After assessing regional tourism gaps and demand, they decided to create a small-scale camping experience with a local, personal feel.
“Then we went to see what was possible during the corona period. We looked at what did not yet exist here in the region, and that’s how the mini campsite was born,” said Ronald.
The site features both camping pitches and furnished bell tents. It attracts mostly Dutch and German visitors, but travelers from as far as South Africa and Australia have also stayed there.
According to a report by De Noordostpolder, the campsite offers guests an immersive experience. Chickens roam freely on the grounds, and a flower garden maintained by Floor is available for guests to enjoy.
“We try to distinguish ourselves through personal contact and by being a neat, small-scale campsite,” said Ronald, who now runs the business full-time after leaving his previous job earlier this year. Floor continues to work in education, and the family is raising two young sons.
Ronald noted that the summer months are their busiest, especially July and August, when demand peaks, adding that managing the site during this time requires long working days.
For outdoor hospitality professionals, the Looots’ approach reflects several trends: diversifying income through rural tourism, responding to local market gaps, and prioritizing guest connection and atmosphere over high-capacity development.
Their transition from an unrelated career path to full-time campsite management also highlights the growing appeal and viability of agritourism-style models for landowners seeking new revenue streams.
Featured image by Welcome to the Farm via minicampingwelkomopdeboerderij.nl