Yes, another one fades, in the US at least. But the driving forces, as seems to be the trend, continue to be 1) Business/Economics -- the naturist model either isn’t profitable or isn’t AS profitable as alternatives, and 2) The naturist champions who built or have been sustaining the clubs/resorts, are moving on. This trend in club longevity, driven by whatever reason you share to cite, is certainly nothing new. The decline of the resort/club era has been an oft discussed topic for years. The social acceptance and popular demand simply aren’t there, as they are in parts of Europe.
The question is, what does this mean to US naturism in general? I believe that yes, naturist clubs and resort numbers will continue to dwindle. Those that remain are likely to be driven by naturist advocates, willing to take lower profits/financial success for the sake of the cause. I’m not sure that approach is sustainable however.
What I wonder is -- does it indicate a downturn in naturism as a lifestyle, philosophy, or hobby here in the US? I tend to think it does. The forces labeling nudity as immoral, a danger, purely sexual, have louder and angrier voices.
Personally, I have no interest in visiting a naturist resort or club. Nude beaches, nude tolerant policies on public lands, large private lands where nudity is accepted, tolerant public policies for nudity on your own land, are areas that pique my interest. I celebrate the advocates, the voices, the champions in these areas. But as to the demise of large US naturist resorts and landed clubs, what we are witnessing seems inevitable and more or less part of a predictable cycle.
I used to enjoy going to Berk Vista when I lived in New England, and I know this is leaving a huge void in that region. What I've wondered, and is not answered or addressed in this article, or anywhere else I've seen, is why Dan Bookstein didn't have a succession plan for Berkshire Vista to remain a clothing-optional place? Did he attempt anything of this sort, or did he just not think that was the way to go, and why not? It just is odd that the person who owned this property for nearly half of it's more than 60 year existence as a clothing-optional, or nudist, place, didn't have a plan to keep it going, as he was now into his 80's.
Oh no, the trend continues. There is still no news about Desert Sun Resort and the pending sale seems to have slowed...
RIP Berkshire Vista 😭
Yes, another one fades, in the US at least. But the driving forces, as seems to be the trend, continue to be 1) Business/Economics -- the naturist model either isn’t profitable or isn’t AS profitable as alternatives, and 2) The naturist champions who built or have been sustaining the clubs/resorts, are moving on. This trend in club longevity, driven by whatever reason you share to cite, is certainly nothing new. The decline of the resort/club era has been an oft discussed topic for years. The social acceptance and popular demand simply aren’t there, as they are in parts of Europe.
The question is, what does this mean to US naturism in general? I believe that yes, naturist clubs and resort numbers will continue to dwindle. Those that remain are likely to be driven by naturist advocates, willing to take lower profits/financial success for the sake of the cause. I’m not sure that approach is sustainable however.
What I wonder is -- does it indicate a downturn in naturism as a lifestyle, philosophy, or hobby here in the US? I tend to think it does. The forces labeling nudity as immoral, a danger, purely sexual, have louder and angrier voices.
Personally, I have no interest in visiting a naturist resort or club. Nude beaches, nude tolerant policies on public lands, large private lands where nudity is accepted, tolerant public policies for nudity on your own land, are areas that pique my interest. I celebrate the advocates, the voices, the champions in these areas. But as to the demise of large US naturist resorts and landed clubs, what we are witnessing seems inevitable and more or less part of a predictable cycle.
I used to enjoy going to Berk Vista when I lived in New England, and I know this is leaving a huge void in that region. What I've wondered, and is not answered or addressed in this article, or anywhere else I've seen, is why Dan Bookstein didn't have a succession plan for Berkshire Vista to remain a clothing-optional place? Did he attempt anything of this sort, or did he just not think that was the way to go, and why not? It just is odd that the person who owned this property for nearly half of it's more than 60 year existence as a clothing-optional, or nudist, place, didn't have a plan to keep it going, as he was now into his 80's.