Over the last few years, there has been a significant increase in the popularity of glamping.
As a result, many glamping operators around the world have experienced fully booked summers.
The point is the trend is still going up
For people who are looking to break into the hospitality industry, starting a glamping site is a lucrative business opportunity.
Not only does it offer quick ROI and considerable scaling potential, but it also allows you to tap into a growing market of traveling.
Thus, Have you thought about launching a glamping business?
This guide will identify your blind spots and walk you through all the steps of how to start a glamping business.
What Is Glamping?
Glamping is a luxurious camping experience. It offers comfortable beds, running water, and electricity, which make it more enjoyable than traditional camping.
Guest can involve sleeping on the ground and cooking over an open fire.
When you embark on a glamping adventure, you’ll have lots of choices for where to stay. You can pick a luxury tent, a yurt, a treehouse, or a stylish cabin. These places come with comfortable beds, lighting, and private bathrooms, so you’ll feel at home in nature.
Growing Popularity And Demand For Glamping
As you’re considering starting a glamping site, it’s essential to understand why this market is in high demand.
One reason for the growing popularity of glamping is the desire for experiential travel. Today’s travellers are seeking more immersive experiences. They want to connect with nature while still enjoying the comfort of modern amenities.
The glamping site offers comfortable accommodations that can attract many guests who want to escape their daily routines in beautiful outdoor settings.
Another key driver for the glamping trend is its appeal to younger guests, particularly those aged 18-32.
The aesthetic of glamping sites, with photogenic accommodations, makes them perfect for sharing on social media.
Furthermore, many music festivals have begun to include glamping as a stylish option for attendees, further expanding the market for this type of outdoor experience.
ROI Of Investing In A Glamping Business
Cost Of Starting A Glamping Business
Launching a glamping business requires initial capital investment, which includes the following key elements.
• Land acquisition: You’ll need to purchase or lease land suitable for glamping. The cost can vary depending on location, size, and accessibility.
• Infrastructure development: You may need to invest in creating or enhancing basic facilities like water, electricity, and sanitary systems.
• Glamping accommodations: The cost of acquiring tents, cabins, or other structures will depend on the quality, size, and type. Some popular options include bell tents, yurts, and safari tents.
• Amenities and services: Offering a unique and comfortable experience to your guests is crucial. You may need to invest in furnishing, bedding, and extra facilities like a fire pit, outdoor seating, and BBQ equipment.
• Marketing and advertising: Promoting your glamping site is essential to attract customers. Set aside a budget for website development, social media, and other advertising methods.
• Insurance and permits: Make sure to account for the costs of necessary permits, licenses, and insurance coverage.
Return On Investing
Starting a glamping business can be a rewarding venture. Based on industry averages, it’s possible to generate an annual revenue of $50,000 to $300,000 when you first go into the glamping industry. With a potential profit of $35,000 to $230,000 per year.
As you gain more experience and the service gets better, you’ll make more money every year. In the coming years, as more tourists try glamping, your revenue and profit will go up thanks to the growing number of customers and positive reviews.
Always Keep track of your costs and returns. It will help you evaluate the success of your glamping business.
With those, you could make informed decisions for growth and improvement.
How many different types of glamping are there?
There are various types of glamping available, each with its unique features and benefits.
In this section, we’ll explore some of the most popular types of glamping, including Yurts, Tipis, Caravans, Treehouses, Tiny Houses, and Bubble Domes.
Yurts
Yurts are circular, tent-like structures with sturdy frame, often made from wood or metal. They originated in Central Asia and have been used by nomadic cultures for centuries. Modern yurts come with various amenities, such as electricity, insulation, and heating, making them an excellent option for guests.
Tipis
Tipis, also known as teepees, are Native American-inspired conical tents. They are usually made from durable canvas or other materials. They are supported by wooden poles and often feature a central opening at the top for proper ventilation. Although traditionally used in plains regions, tipis have become a popular glamping option for guests.
Caravans
Caravans provide another versatile glamping option. They come in various sizes and styles but generally offer a compact, fully equipped living space. Caravans often feature a sleeping area, bathroom, kitchenette, and a small living area. They can be easily relocated, offering flexibility in site planning and layout. Caravans are an excellent choice for those looking to offer a retro or vintage-inspired glamping experience.
Treehouses
For a truly unique and magical glamping getaway, consider incorporating treehouses into your site. Treehouses are raised structures built around or among the branches of one or more trees. They often offer excellent views and a sense of privacy. Treehouses can come in various designs, from rustic cabins to modern, architecturally stunning creations.
Tiny Houses
Tiny Houses are small, self-contained buildings that prioritize efficient use of space and minimal design. They can be stationary or mounted on trailers for easy movement. With sleeping areas, a kitchen, and bathroom, and sometimes a small living space, tiny houses are a special way to experience glamping. If you want to offer sustainable and environmentally friendly glamping accommodation, tiny houses are a great choice.
Bubble Domes
Bubble Domes are transparent, inflatable structures that offer a remarkable 360-degree view of the surrounding landscape. They are usually made from heavy-duty PVC materials and come in various sizes. They are perfect for those looking to offer their guests an immersive and memorable stay close to nature.
Now that you have a better understanding of what glamping is.
It’s time to explore the steps for setting up your own glamping site. From market research to selecting the perfect location, and creating a business plan that caters to your target market.
The world of glamping is diverse and expansive, offering endless possibilities for creative entrepreneurs like you.
The Guide to Start a Successful Glamping Business Step by Step
1. Preparing Your Glamping Business To Launch
Analyze Trends And Challenges
Before launching your glamping business, you need to analyze current trends and consider the challenges you may face.
Find out which glamping types are popular and which glamping structure is suitable in your area.
Also, be ready for any challenges that may come up, such as rules and restrictions in your area, space limits, and factors that change depending on the time of year.
Potential Competitors
To do well, you need to know your competition. Look at other glamping sites where you want to be and see what they do well and what they don’t. Then, use this to make your site unique and better than the others.
Target Audience
To attract customers to your glamping site, you need to know who your target audience is. This will help you make smart choices about the design, amenities, and marketing of your site. Think about what kind of glamping your guests like, how much they can pay, and how they like to travel.
Basically, people attracted by glamping are mainly families, couples, luxury tourists, pet owners, and eco-friendly campers.
Identify Locations
To get visitors to your glamping site, you should identify your target audience. This will help you make good decisions about the design, features, and promotion of your site. Consider what type of glamping your guests enjoy, how much they can spend, and how they prefer to travel.
Choose Glamping Structures
Choose the kinds of fancy camping buildings you want to have. For instance, you could have yurts, treehouses, or geodesic domes. Each type of building has its own good things and bad things, so do some research to find the best fit for your customers and business goals.
Brainstorm Business Name
Choose a name for your business that is easy to remember and relevant to your glamping site. Spend some time thinking of possible names, and if you can, ask your friends, family, or target audience for their opinions.
Apply For Licenses And Permits
To start a glamping business, first, choose a location. Then, find out what licenses and permits you need to follow the rules. Different places may have different rules, so check with your local government to make sure you do everything right.
Register For Taxes
To start your business, you need to register for taxes. You should also incorporate your business and get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Remember to register for state taxes too, because they may be different depending on where you are.
Get Business Insurance
Having insurance is important to protect your investment. Look at different insurance options, such as general liability, property, and workers’ compensation, and select the best policy to keep your glamping business safe from accidents, natural disasters, and legal issues.
2. Building A Glamping Site
Prepare Glamping Tent Site
Before setting up your glamping site, scout for the ideal location surrounded by nature with easy transportation access. Inspect terrain, and assess the area’s overall attractiveness. Then clear the ground and make a flat surface for your tent. To accommodate guests, you need to ensure that your site is in close proximity to parking and activities of interest.
Set Up Glamping Tent
Choose a good quality tent that can withstand weather and fits all your guests and amenities. Look for a tent that suits the needs of your desired audience and complements the surroundings. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to set up the tent and make sure to secure it well for safety and stability.
Furnish And Decorate Inside
To make a glamping tent cozy and comfortable, you’ll need a comfortable bed, seating, and storage. Add rugs, pillows, and decorations to make it feel welcoming. Good lighting is important; you could use fairy lights, lanterns, or solar-powered lights for a nice atmosphere.
Prepare Tent For Weather Changes
To keep your glamping site comfortable for guests, get ready for all kinds of weather. Waterproof your tent, add ventilation, and get heating and cooling systems. And make sure your guests have what they need, like blankets, fans, and stuff for the weather.
Bathroom Facilities
Make sure your guests have access to clean and comfortable bathrooms. You can use portable toilets, outdoor showers, or let them use a nearby restroom. To enhance their experience, provide toiletries, towels, and eco-friendly ways to dispose of waste.
Toilets
Select an appropriate toilet solution based on your site’s infrastructure and guests’ needs. The most popular options are composting, chemical, or portable toilets. Keep the toilets clean and hygienic to ensure guest happiness.
Kitchen
Provide a kitchen or cooking area for your guests. This can be as simple as a camping stove or as complete as an outdoor kitchen. Give your guests the necessary cookware, utensils, and cleaning supplies to make cooking easy.
Extra Amenities
To make your glamping site more attractive, you can offer things like Wi-Fi, places to charge devices, board games, or tours. These extras can make your guests happy and more likely to give you good reviews.
Offer Entertainment Options
Include fun activities that fit your area, like bikes, paddleboards, or tours. Advertise nearby sights, paths, and outdoor things to do that visitors can enjoy while they’re here.
Create Guest Oasis
Create a nice outdoor area for your guests to relax. Make sure there is room for chairs, a fire pit, or even a hot tub to help them unwind. Add plants and art to make it a special and peaceful experience at your glamping spot.
3. Marketing And Maintaining Your Glamping Business
Create Glamping Site Website
Create a website that’s easy for people to use for your glamping business. Make sure it has really good pictures and videos that show your site and places to stay. Explain everything people need to know about prices, things they get to use, and how to book. Make sure the website works well on phones and is easy to move around.
Utilize Social Media And Online Marketing
Use social media to reach more people. Share interesting content on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Spend money on online ads that target people who like unique travel experiences to promote your glamping site.
List On Airbnb
Maximize your online visibility by listing your glamping site on Airbnb. Create an enticing listing with captivating images, engaging descriptions, and competitive pricing. Make sure to regularly update availability, respond to inquiries promptly, and provide seamless booking experiences.
Establish Cooperation With Travel Agencies And Platforms
Partner with travel agencies and online platforms to get more bookings and customers. Give special deals to attract people from different places. Keep good relationships with partners so you can work together for a long time.
Welcome Guests Warmly
When guests arrive at your glamping site, make them feel welcome and comfortable. Show them around the facilities, give them information about the area, and answer any questions they have. Make sure they feel at home right away.
Communicate With Guests
During your guests’ stay, be sure to keep communication open, offer support, and promptly address any concerns. Make yourself available to ensure guests feel comfortable and well taken care of.
Encourage Positive Reviews
Happy customers can be your best advertisers. Ask them to leave good reviews on your website, social media, and travel sites such as Airbnb or TripAdvisor. These reviews will help bring in new customers and improve your online reputation.
Improve Guest Experience
To make your guests happy and keep them coming back, ask them for feedback on how you can improve. Then, use their suggestions to make changes and make their experience even better. Always focus on making your guests happy and they’ll tell their friends about you!
Offer Unique Activities In The Area
Work with nearby businesses and attractions to provide special activities that make your glamping site stand out from others. You can provide guided hikes, wine tastings, or outdoor yoga classes to make your visitors’ stay more enjoyable and memorable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will affect the ROI of investing start a glamping business?
Several factors can affect the ROI of your glamping business. Below are some important aspects that contribute to your return on investment:
- Occupancy rate: Your revenue relies on how many guests you can accommodate and how frequently your accommodations are booked. To increase occupancy, offer a unique experience, high-quality services, and competitive pricing.
- Seasonality: Glamping businesses are usually seasonal, with greater demand during warmer months. To extend your season, consider offering amenities such as heating or covered outdoor spaces, depending on your location.
- Additional revenue streams: You can increase your ROI by diversifying your income streams. Consider offering add-ons like event hosting, adventure activities, spa and wellness packages, or retail sales of local artisanal products.
- Customer retention and word of mouth: Building loyal customers and receiving positive reviews can help you attract more guests and maintain a steady income stream.
How to judge Your Location Desirable for a Glamp Site?
The land needed for a glamping site should be accessible yet secluded, offering a natural setting that appeals to guests. It could be highlands, coastal areas, dense forests, or flat grasslands. Ensure the land has the appropriate zoning and permits for your planned activities. You may need to invest in infrastructure and utilities such as water, electricity, and sewage disposal systems depending on your location and chosen accommodations.
What are some unique glamping business ideas?
Some unique glamping business ideas include treehouse accommodations, luxury yurts with spa amenities, eco-friendly campsites with organic gardens, or themed glamping experiences tailored to specific customer interests (e.g., wildlife encounters, fishing retreats, or cultural immersions). Stay creative and in tune with market trends to capture customer interest.
What should be included in a glamping business plan?
To create a successful glamping business, you need a plan that explains your goals, target market, and prices. Research the demand for your business, local competition, and tourism in the area. Think about how you’ll advertise, how much it will cost to run your business, and how many employees you’ll need. A good financial plan is important to get funding and make sure your business succeeds in the long run. This should include estimates of how much money you’ll make, how much you’ll spend, and how profitable your business will be.
