7 Benefits & 3 key factors of Glamping as a business…

The pandemic changed our life in many ways. Much has been said about how COVID-19 affected the travel industry and how we travel nowadays. That’s why some travel/hospitality business models arise, like “glamping.” Why not talk about this model’s business opportunities?

We’ve introduced you to this sensorial hospitality experience that allows people to live their trips differently. Glamping immerses travelers into nature with all the comfort they want. Some options can offer five-star service, like a dome or tent. Due to the pandemic, this travel trend is huge to enter.

Nature/adventure lovers have been the niche for Glamping, but the target is wide. From families or couples in the luxury or budget market, eco-friendly and pet-friendly too. However, according to the North American Glamping Report (2019), 50% of glampers are millennials with children that take around 10 trips per year looking for destinations that offer them a unique travel experience. Thus, South America is as convenient as exceptional for many international travelers with excellent Glamping options like the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador), Torres del Paine (Chile), or the Argentinian Patagonia. 

South America is in baby steps compared to other countries such as the US, Europe, and Australasia. Regardless of which continent or destination you choose, many business opportunities arise. The pandemic has awakened the interest of travelers in enjoying nature. Don’t miss this article to learn more about this travel trend. 

Hence, let’s begin with the benefits of the Glamping Business, according to inspiredcamping.com: 

1. It helps diversify your income from a piece of land that can be run alongside an existing business. 
2. Travelers are more likely to experience nature among excellent facilities.
3. It offers social distancing and privacy options for a pandemic traveler.
4. It can be adapted to your business needs and investment budget.
5. It is a business model that has proven to be successful. 
6. The return of investment is two years after launching, on average. 
7. It is ideal for entrepreneurs looking for a profitable business to start. 

Yet, for getting these benefits, it is essential to consider some key factors, like:  

1. Identify your target audience

As we mentioned previously, the target is wide and depends on the type of service you would like to offer. Some things you can consider are: 

• Families require larger accommodations and entertainment facilities safe for children. 
• Couples need more privacy and romantic perks, but not as large accommodation as families. 
• Luxury market expects the same service a five-star hotel offers them, so high-quality and gastronomic options are a must to them. 
• Budget market requires convenient accommodation facilities but with simple furnishing. What is a must for them is self-catering options. 
• Eco Friendly facilities and services are a must nowadays, mainly because travelers are more aware of sustainability and their footprint in nature.
• Pet-friendly is an excellent alternative for local travelers that want to disconnect from their routine, and is ideal for digital nomads or staycation. 

2. Identify an exclusive glamping site

In this case, the glamping location is one of the success factors of the business. Thus, some of the characteristics you should have in mind when choosing the site are: 

• Away from the crowds and silence.
• Easy to reach, and with parking facilities.
• Flat and well-drained terrain to set the camp.
• Accessible to electricity, sanitary, and waste disposal facilities. 

Download the infographics in PDFs here

3. Make it appealing to your audience through architecture

It would be best to choose the proper glamping infrastructure that guarantees nature immersion to guests by blowing their minds too. Hence, some of the most common glamping infrastructures are: 

• Bubble domes
• Bell tents
• Treehouses
• Shepherd huts
• Safari tents
• Glamping pods
• Tepees
• Yurts

Depending on the nature site limitations, the type of experience you would like to offer, and the level of nature immersion, some of them can be more or less convenient. 

Nonetheless, one of the significant advantages of this business is the cost and timing for building the glamping complex, on average, compared with regular construction. Yet, that will depend on the terrain, accessibility, and permissions you may need to start the glamping construction. Another advantage is that you can build the complex in different stages. So, you can begin to run the business with a limited number of tents to increase the awareness of your glamping experience among your target audience. 

What do you think about the Glamping business model? Do you have any natural sites in mind?

We have learned through this challenging period the importance of diversifying sources of income, and Glamping seems to be an appropriate way to do it. It may require a lower investment than a traditional hospitality construction, with the option of starting the operation in different stages, and that’s why we prepared this introductory information for you.