Since January 2026, Richard Otten has been at the helm of the Pleisureworld platform. After more than fifteen years of experience in hospitality, leisure, and recreation, he takes over from Hans van Leeuwen, who will remain involved in the background as an advisor. Otten aims to build upon Pleisureworld's strong foundation while simultaneously placing new emphasis on knowledge sharing, digitalization, and collaboration within the industry.
The move to Pleisureworld did not come entirely out of the blue for Otten. He has already been hosting the successful podcast LeisureTalk for six years, in which he speaks weekly with entrepreneurs, pioneers, trendsetters, and other inspiring people from the leisure industry. Moreover, behind the scenes, a business plan was already in place to further expand LeisureTalk with physical events, inspirational tours, and industry networking.
You have been at the helm of Pleisureworld since January 2026. What appealed to you about the organization, and what was the main reason for taking over the baton from Hans van Leeuwen?
I actually had a plan ready for a number of years to further expand LeisureTalk. The podcast has been around for six years now and has generated a great network. In the long term, I wanted to link physical events, inspiration tours, knowledge sessions, and other forms of knowledge sharing to that.
Of course, I could have built that up myself from within LeisureTalk. However, that would take much more time. You would then not only have to develop a content platform, but also build a network, a reputation, and a name in the market.
Pleisureworld already has all of that. It is a well-known name in the sector, and Hans van Leeuwen is, of course, an icon within it. When the opportunity arose to take over the reins, I started thinking about it seriously.
I certainly had my doubts. Hans is someone who speaks his mind emphatically. He sometimes says things people would rather not hear, and naturally, that is discussed. That is part of Hans. But when I weigh everything up, I actually think that his expertise, his network, and his coaching role are enormously valuable to me.
Pleisureworld actually gives me a flying start because of that. And I'm already noticing that, after the first six months. You don't start from scratch. You have a name, a network, relationships, and a history. As a result, you can make progress much faster.
And yes, Hans is Hans. Sometimes you have to take what he says with a grain of salt. But what also strikes me is how sharp he still is. Even though he has now reached retirement age, there is still an incredible amount of knowledge and energy left in him. He can often articulate matters very well and asks questions that you might not immediately ask yourself.
In short: I can still learn a lot from him as well. And I think that precisely that combination of his experience and my own vision is interesting for the next phase of Pleisureworld.”
Richard Otten
Hans van Leeuwen will remain involved with Pleisureworld as an advisor. What does this collaboration look like, and how do you maintain the balance between continuing a strong tradition and adding your own vision and direction?
Hans has made Pleisureworld what it is today. His experience, network, and vision are of great value, and I am pleased that he remains involved as an advisor.
At the same time, I believe that every new phase also calls for its own course. I see it as my responsibility to build upon a strong foundation, while simultaneously setting new priorities.
Hans doesn't have to become Pleisureworld again, and I don't have to become a new Hans van Leeuwen either. In my opinion, that is precisely the strength. We have different backgrounds and look at the sector in a different way.
I can draw on his experience and network, while simultaneously adding my own vision. Think of further digitalization, new knowledge concepts, more international inspiration, and strengthening the connection between different parts of the leisure industry.
This is how we combine continuity with innovation.
Richard Otten
You have been the host of LeisureTalk for six years now. What is going to happen to the podcast now that LeisureTalk and Pleisureworld are under one owner? Will LeisureTalk be integrated into Pleisureworld?
No, LeisureTalk deliberately remains an independent channel. I find that important, because the podcast has built up its own identity and position.
LeisureTalk revolves around the conversations I have with captains of industry, pioneers, trendsetters, and people with a remarkable story. It is truly a place for in-depth interviews. That is exactly what I want to continue doing.
At the same time, Pleisureworld now consists of multiple platforms, each with its own target audience and function.
The main site Pleisureworld.nl is the central platform. This is where the broad knowledge of leisure, recreation, and hospitality comes together, and from there I also conduct my consultancy work. In addition, we work with TOP Partners: companies that are closely involved with Pleisureworld and support the platform.
FamilyEntertainmentCenters.nl has been added to this . It focuses specifically on the FEC segment of our market, with its own calendar of events and trips and a board of experienced professionals involved. Both leisure venues and suppliers can join.
In addition, we have Vakantiehuisvandetoekomst.nl . That platform was set up around the question of what the holiday home and holiday park of the future look like. From there, we organize Knowledge Tables, among other things, and share knowledge about development, innovation, sustainability, design, and operation.
And so that leaves LeisureTalk.nl , as an independent channel for the interviews.
On the front end, they remain different brands with their own identities. On the back end, however, we are connecting them increasingly intelligently. Knowledge gained from a podcast, for example, can serve as the basis for a Knowledge Table. A topic from a Knowledge Table can, in turn, lead to a podcast or an article. And new contacts and stories can emerge from an event.
That is precisely what I find interesting: we are building different channels, but ultimately they reinforce each other.
Richard Otten
You have over fifteen years of experience in hospitality, leisure, and recreation. Which trends and developments do you currently see as most decisive for the future of the recreation sector, and how will Pleisureworld respond to them?
The leisure sector is changing rapidly. Guests expect increasingly personalized experiences, digitalization plays a greater role, and themes such as sustainability, health, nature, and experience are becoming increasingly important. At the same time, we see that entrepreneurs increasingly need data, knowledge sharing, and collaboration to make future-proof choices.
But I think we also need to look at a broader development. The guest no longer focuses as strongly on sectors as we do ourselves. For a consumer, it is simply an experience. A stay, a day out, a restaurant, an activity, or an attraction must be right as a total experience.
This requires entrepreneurs to look beyond their own company. What is happening around you? What concepts are emerging in other countries? What can we learn from hotels, amusement parks, or campsites? And how do you translate that to your own business?
Pleisureworld aims to be a guide in this regard. By gathering up-to-date knowledge, sharing practical examples, and connecting professionals, we help entrepreneurs be better prepared for the developments of tomorrow.
Richard Otten
Pleisureworld is known as a knowledge platform and network organization for the leisure industry. What ambitions do you have to further expand this position, and what new initiatives can entrepreneurs expect in the coming years?
My ambition is to further develop Pleisureworld into the platform where entrepreneurs can go for inspiration, knowledge, and connection.
In addition, we want to focus even more on current content, in-depth research, podcasts, events, training courses, inspiration tours, and small-scale knowledge gatherings. But also on new forms of knowledge sharing. Not just broadcasting, but above all developing knowledge together.
The various platforms also give us the opportunity to do so. We can work much more specifically for different parts of the market, without losing the connection between those parts.
I strongly believe in that form of knowledge sharing. The best knowledge is often already within the sector itself. Our role is to make that knowledge visible, connect people, and ensure that good ideas move forward.
Richard Otten
As an advisor, entrepreneur, and host of LeisureTalk, you speak weekly with professionals from the sector. In your opinion, what is currently the biggest challenge for recreation entrepreneurs, and which opportunities are, in your view, still not being sufficiently utilized?
Many entrepreneurs are dealing with staff shortages, rising costs, changing regulations, and a rapidly changing market. At the same time, I see tremendous innovative power within the sector.
An opportunity that can be utilized even better is collaboration. Entrepreneurs can learn a great deal from each other and develop new concepts together more quickly. During my visits to companies in the Netherlands and abroad, I notice time and again how many entrepreneurs are actually dealing with the same issues.
In addition, there are significant opportunities in the areas of digitalization, guest data, and creating distinctive total experiences. Technology can make many processes smarter, but ultimately, the guest experience remains the starting point.
Therefore, we must prevent digitalization from becoming an end in itself. It must contribute to a better experience for the guest and to more efficient business operations for the entrepreneur.
That is precisely where Pleisureworld wants to play a connecting role: identifying trends, making knowledge accessible, and then looking together at how you can apply that knowledge.
Richard Otten
Where do you hope Pleisureworld will be in five years, and when will you be personally satisfied with this new step as owner?
In five years, I hope that Pleisureworld will be seen even more emphatically as the independent knowledge center for the leisure, recreation, and hospitality sector. A platform where professionals meet, share knowledge, and build the future of the industry together.
However, I consider independence to be very important in this regard. Pleisureworld must be a place where different perspectives can coexist. Where entrepreneurs share their experiences, but where there is also room for new ideas and critical questions.
Personally, I am satisfied when we demonstrably add value for entrepreneurs. When someone goes home after a meeting with an idea they will actually implement. When an entrepreneur gains a new perspective on their own business through a visit to another company. Or when two parties find each other through Pleisureworld and subsequently develop something new together.
Then we have fulfilled our role well.”
Richard Otten
The program for the coming months
Pleisureworld has put together an ambitious program for the coming months in which various forms of knowledge, inspiration, and networking come together.
- From October 6 to 10: an international inspiration tour to France, centered around Salon Atlantica and Puy du Fou. Various leading companies and locations will be visited, including a visit to Salon Atlantica and a VIP program at Puy du Fou. The focus is explicitly not just on looking, but on understanding: why does a concept work, how is it structured, and what can Dutch entrepreneurs learn from it? More information: October 6 to 10, 2026 Inspiration Tour Salon Atlantica & VIP Tour Theme Park Puy du Fou – Pleisureworld
- November 17 The Knowledge Table at the Hardenberg Recreation Trade Fair zooms in on the rise of mini-resorts as a successful form of redevelopment. This aligns well with the developments Pleisureworld observes in the market. Existing recreation businesses need to think about their future, and it is therefore interesting to look at new forms of overnight recreation, spatial development, operations, and guest experience. More information: November 17: Knowledge Table #7 Edition XL: Rise of Mini-resorts as successful (re)development | Vacation Home of the Future
- Op December 8 The year concludes with the National Networking Lunch. Richard: “For me, that is perhaps the most symbolic event, because everything comes together there: entrepreneurs, suppliers, experts, and other professionals from the sector. It is a moment to meet each other, look back on what has happened, and, above all, look forward to what is to come.” More information: 8 December 2026: The National Networking Lunch 2026 – Pleisureworld
These three events clearly demonstrate what Pleisureworld stands for: looking outwards, deepening knowledge, and connecting people. The Inspiration Tour brings international examples and new ideas to Dutch entrepreneurs. The Knowledge Table subsequently delves into concrete developments and issues. And during the National Networking Lunch, people from the industry are brought together.
Otten is clear about further development: “These are the activities I want to expand in the coming years. Not just a platform where you come to get information, but a community you want to be part of. A place where you get inspired, meet new people, and work together with others on the future of leisure.”
Because ultimately, I believe that we cannot predict that future alone.
We have to build it together.”
Source and more information: www.pleisureworld.nl