How to Start a Glamping Business

A glamping business is a luxurious form of camping that offers amenities and accommodations that are more glamorous than traditional camping. This allows travelers to enjoy the best of both worlds: the luxury of home combined with the outdoors.

Previously, glamping was considered to be a subcategory of outdoor camping. However, nowadays, it is recognized as a distinct kind of vacation getaway within the tourism industry.

The Different Types of Glamping

Glamping is far more than oversized tents and caravans. Below are some of the most common options:

Caravans

A caravan is essentially a glorified mobile home. With the essentials for living and additional space and protection when compared to tents, it's no wonder caravans have become popular. Their versatility makes them ideal for customizing with amenities to appeal to everyone.

Train Carriages

An old train carriage can turn into the glamping getaway of your dreams with a little bit of elbow grease. Keep in mind that you will need to put in some work to make it habitable, but the finished product will be worth it.

Yurts

A yurt, in a nutshell, is a circular glamping tent constructed of fabric/animal skin and wooden timbers.

Tipis

A tipi is a classic, three-sided Native American tent widely seen at camping spots today. Unlike yurts, which can be more spacious and offer more amenities, the wooden beams and cotton fabric of a tipi are kept together with rope and take up less space.

Treehouses

These days, treehouses are also popular among glampers. Nature enthusiasts especially appreciate their sustainable architecture and the opportunity to explore nature more intimately from up high. Treehouses offer hosts a long list of options and are quite versatile, making them an attractive option overall.

Tiny Houses

Tiny homes are now quite fashionable. In a nutshell, they make the best use of little space and resources, making them extremely environmentally friendly.

Bubble Domes

Bubbles are transparent pods that resemble bubbles. It's a fantastic choice if your location is known for its breathtaking sunrise, sunset, or starry skies.

What Should You Start A Glamping Business?

Low Startup Costs

Compared to a holiday rental home, glamping tent costs are significantly less. It is also less expensive to maintain and operate a glamp site. Furthermore, excellent locations for a glamping business include remote areas. When comparing purchasing property, the best places for a glamping company are frequently in rural regions.

High-Profit Margins

With smaller startup and maintenance costs, you will experience increased profits along with a quicker ROI.

Eco-friendly

With the environment on people's minds now more than ever, glamping has become a popular sustainable option for vacationers.

Plus, because glamping sites are often located in remote/beautiful areas, they are popular among nature explorers. As a result, you have a target market to capitalize on.

A Retreat From The City's Bustle and Congestion.

One of the main selling points of a glamping tent is that it allows visitors to escape from the hectic big cities without giving up their personal requirements and comforts. Furthermore, this market is ready to pay more for the opportunity to reconnect with nature while still having access to utilities.

Start Your Glamping Business

A comprehensive strategy is key if you want your glamping business to be successful. Here are all the steps you need to take to get started.

Market Research

Market research is critical when starting any business. To have a clear vision of what your glamping business will look like, you must conduct market research and make the following decisions:

Your Business Structure

Setting up your business as a legal entity is important. Possible structures include sole proprietorships, franchises, corporations, and a limited liability company (LLC).

Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is not legally separated from its owner. So, as the sole proprietor of the business, you will be responsible for all of the risk and debt. Although, you won't have to distribute any business earnings with anybody.

Franchise

If you choose to start a glamping business under a well-known brand, you'll operate your glamping firm under that banner. You'll also have to adhere to the franchisor's business strategy, pay startup fees and continuing commissions, which might reduce your earnings. In return, you can anticipate assistance, marketing materials, a company website, and a booking system.

Corporation

A corporation is a legal entity in which shareholders own stock, and a board of directors manages it. This business model may be viable if you want to work with investors. Another advantage is that it provides limited responsibility protection.

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

An LLC, which is a popular business form in the United States, provides personal liability protection.

Write a Business Plan

As with any business, you will need a business plan for your glamping business. This document will set out the goals you wish to achieve and describe how you will go about achieving them. Having a clear plan from the outset can increase your chances of success and avoid making costly mistakes further down the line.

Financing Your Glamping Business

There are a variety of financing options available to you once you've written your business plan. You'll need to set up a business bank account, apply for a business credit card, and register for taxes after you've obtained financing.

Finding Your Site and Getting Permission

It's time to find a location for your glamping business. Here are a few things to consider:

• How popular is the area?
• Does it fit with what you envision for your business?
• "Quality of life' nearby-- are there good restaurants, interesting places to explore, etc.?
• How easy will it be for guests to get to and from your glampsite?
• Is the area safe?

When selecting a possible glamping site, you should also consider how restrictions like zoning rules, safety standards, and necessary permits will impact your business. After you've done your research, you may contact your local government to inquire about planning permission (which might take anywhere from six months to several years).

If you don't acquire the necessary permissions or licenses, you'll be fined, or in the worst case scenario, your company may be shut down.

Plan Your Facilities

Not only should you choose a campsite based on the main features of your tent, but also the onsite facilities each one offers. How will you add shower and toilet amenities? What about a campfire or outdoor stove for cooking? These are key for an authentic glamping experience!

Tasteful Decor

Once you have your glamping essentials squared away--tent, location, and facilities--you can start thinking about how to make your tents reflect luxury through their aesthetic. Comfort, style, and character are key when creating an experience that guests will remember long after they leave.

Promote Your Glamping Business

As with any other kind of company, you'll need to develop a marketing strategy before starting a glamping business. Even the most unusual locations and setups won't lure guests if you don't have a strategy for advertising them.

Create Quality Listings

If you want to make your listing as marketable and appealing as possible, try utilizing a catchy title, high-quality photos, and an intriguing description. Additionally, be sure to put time into thinking about the best pricing strategy for your particular product.

Listing Your Rentals

It's a good idea to have your business on as many platforms as possible. These sites receive a lot of traffic, allowing you to reach out to a much larger audience from the start. The following websites might be useful for glamping accommodation:

• Airbnb
• Glamping Hub
• The Dyrt

Your Online Presence

Creating your own website where travelers can book directly with you is another avenue worth exploring. This will help potential guests find you via search engines beyond popular platforms like Airbnb.

Apart from a website, social media is key to building an online presence. You can use numerous free platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and TikTok.

Your First Guests

The goal of delivering a fantastic glamping experience is to encourage return visits and excellent reviews. You should consider the following to make the most of your services and deluxe amenities:

A Warm Welcome

If you cannot be there in person to greet your guests, a welcome book and basket are great substitutes. Include a handwritten welcome letter in the book for an extra personal touch.

Highlight Local Activities

By definition, glamping is a portmanteau of glamor and camping; travelers who book these types of stays are typically interested in spending time outdoors. To ensure they enjoy their stay to the fullest extent possible, it is best practice to highlight popular activities and attractions the area offers.

Communication

Professionalism and timeliness are key when it comes to guest communication. Your guests will partially base their decision to return to your luxury campsite on the tone you set and how promptly you answer their questions. If you can't provide them with an answer, direct them to another resource that might be able to help.

Encourage Reviews

New business owners will find positive reviews key to gaining popularity and trust. If potential customers see plenty of five-star reviews, they'll be more likely to believe you're legitimate.

Final Thoughts

If you're new to glamping, don't worry if you make mistakes--everyone does! You can keep upgrading and adjusting your business as time goes on. You'll get into a groove with enough practice and see your business take off. Best of luck!