Business · Companies · 11 hrs ago
Gillis holiday parks face closures and financial uncertainty
Peter Gillis’s holiday park business is under pressure in the Netherlands and Belgium.
In Limburg, the only Gillis park still allowed to host guests is Boschbeek in Herkenbosch, which appears neglected and has few visitors.
De Berckt in Baarlo closed in 2024 after concerns about its permits, and Gillis’s part of Heelderpeel in Heel has had no operating permit since August 2024.
His Belgian parks also face financial strain: their accounts describe a difficult situation and say the group is working on a major restructuring.
Parelstrand had €12 million in debt and €29 million in outstanding receivables at the end of 2025, while Blauwe Meer had more than €7.4 million in debt.
The forced sale of three Dutch parks adds to the uncertainty; Prinsenmeer, described as the group’s only consistently profitable park, sold for €20.6 million.
The future of the Belgian parks remains unclear, and the sources do not say what will happen to Gillis’s part of Heelderpeel.
Three of Peter Gillis’s Dutch holiday parks were sold at a forced auction, while the future of his Belgian parks remains uncertain.
Financial statements described the Belgian parks as facing a very difficult financial situation and needing major restructuring.
Parelstrand and Blauwe Meer reported profits, but both also had substantial debts.
In Limburg, Boschbeek is the only Gillis park still allowed to receive guests, while De Berckt and part of Heelderpeel are closed.
L1 reported that Boschbeek appeared run-down and had very few guests.
- Who
- Peter Gillis and his Oostappen Group, which owns or manages holiday parks in the Netherlands and Belgium.
- What
- Several parks face closures, forced sales or financial uncertainty.
- When
- Reports were published on 12, 13 and 21 October 2026; some park closures began in 2024.
- Where
- The Netherlands and Belgium, including parks in Limburg and the Belgian parks Parelstrand and Blauwe Meer.
- Why
- Dutch parks faced licensing and regulatory issues, while the Belgian parks’ accounts showed substantial debts and a difficult financial position.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
De Berckt in Baarlo had to close after a Bibob assessment raised concerns about its operating permit.
Gillis’s part of Heelderpeel lost its operating permit.
The Belgian parks filed their documents with the Belgian Chamber of Commerce.
Three of Gillis’s Dutch parks were sold at a forced auction, including Prinsenmeer for €20.6 million.
L1 reported that Boschbeek was the only Gillis park in Limburg still allowed to receive guests.
- Belgian parks
- Parelstrand and Blauwe Meer
- Parelstrand debt
- €12 million at the end of 2025
- Parelstrand receivables
- €29 million, against total assets of €31 million, at the end of 2025
- Blauwe Meer debt
- More than €7.4 million, against equity of €5.4 million
- Prinsenmeer sale price
- €20.6 million
- Boschbeek
- The only Gillis park in Limburg still allowed to receive guests
3 sources
What people are saying
That is a mistake, but we are simply open during the autumn holidays
We are aware of the very difficult financial situation and are currently making every possible effort to achieve a thorough restructuring of the group
As a municipality, we have always indicated that, in the interests of our local businesses and hospitality sector, we would like to see a thriving recreational business return that can meet all permit requirements, including the operating permit