Glamptuary Kicks Off 2025 With A Look Back, A Look Forward, And A Look In The Mirror
2024 IS OFFICIALLY IN THE BOOKS!
AS WE PUT THE PAST YEAR TO BED, I’D LIKE TO CELEBRATE WHAT WE’VE ACCOMPLISHED, AND LOOK FORWARD WITH HOPE AS WE ENTER THE NEW YEAR.
THE OUTDOOR HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY HAD SOME SEISMIC SHIFTS TAKE PLACE, AND WE SEE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GLAMPTUARY.
WE’LL TALK ABOUT THOSE SHIFTS + THE HOT TRENDS, STATS, FORECASTS, AND HOPES FOR THE FUTURE AS WE BID A FOND FAREWELL TO 2024, AND SAY “LFG” TO 2025.
Happy New Year.
This is what we expect to hear, and often say to others, when the calendar turns to reveal the next year. Why do we say that? Is it a statement? A question? A wish? A request?
Maybe a little context with intention might help. Something like “I wish you happiness in the new year.”
Which I do, by the way.
In fact, I want to wish you happiness for today. Who knows what will happen tomorrow, let alone in the coming year? I like to focus on the here and now. I say lets make the most of today, and think about tomorrow when tomorrow comes.
Personally, at the beginning of each year I like to take a look back and celebrate the accomplishments that have been made over the past 365 days. Actually, I celebrate accomplishments (as one should) throughout the year, and use this practice as motivation to keep the momentum going. But, because this is a 2025 kick-off post…I’ll look back at 2024 and highlight some things Glamptuary has done, along with some happenings in the outdoor hospitality industry that I find interesting, and that will affect the future.
First, here’s some things that felt Glamptuary good in 2024:
Glamptuary is ranked the #4 Podcast globally for the glamping industry on Feedspot. We just completed Season 3 of the podcast where we spoke with folks from around the globe including: Mexico, Costa Rica, England, Zambia, Cambodia, and the U.S. of A. Our goal was to broaden the conversation around the outdoor hospitality industry and learn about the differences in those geographical locations. What was enlightening for me, is that I discovered the common reason for why these folks do what they do, no matter the location. The love of nature, and understanding that humans are happier when we connect with nature, is why outdoor hospitality exists. It is why Glamptuary exists. And all 6 episodes of Season 3 carry their own special inspirational message wrapped around this common value.
You can view all 6 episodes on Youtube.
You can listen to and download all 6 episodes on Apple Podcasts.
I hope you enjoy them all!
Featured Glamptuarys include Kinkara, Flatdogs Camp, Playa Viva, Shinta Mani Wild, Elmley Nature Reserve and Camp Wandawega
Glamptuary is ranked the #5 Blog globally for the glamping industry on Feedspot. The blog supports the podcast, and vice versa. And I’m equally proud of both rankings.
Glamptuary visited two amazing outdoor hospitality destinations in 2024.
While this number was a drop in trips from last year, the experiences were all top notch.I was busy with other equally important things in 2024, many of them not related to this blog, and important enough that they required attention. I’m grateful for the trips that were taken, and I hope you all enjoyed the reviews.
Switching gears now to notable industry happenings…
The outdoor hospitality industry has been mainly boutique in nature since its inception back in the caveman era roughly 300,000 years ago.
In 2024, for the first time in the modern era of human existence, the outdoor hospitality industry has been infiltrated by the big corporate hotel chains.
This is not to say that big and powerful hotel brands haven’t dabbled in the experiential outdoor hospitality space prior to now. There is the Four Seasons Tented Camp and the overwater bungalows in Bora Bora owned and operated by St. Regis (Marriott) that have been here for years. The difference with what’s happened in 2024… is that the big hotel chains are now making massive acquisition moves, and beginning to take hold of the growing trend that is outdoor hospitality. And these acquisitions are taking place in the region of the world where outdoor hospitality is growing at the highest rate.
Overall, I’m excited about this news. The type of travel I love is trending. And I’m not the only one who is celebrating.
I’d like to give a special shoutout to Colorado, a hotbed for outdoor hospitality and recreation. Outside Fest (inaugural year in 2024), which is produced as a collaboration between Outside Magazine and the state government of Colorado, was designed to celebrate the outdoor industry. Over 18,000 people attended and I can say it was an invigorating and enlightening 2 days. They expect attendance to increase in 2025.
As excited as I am that the outdoor hospitality industry is exploding in growth… I am also mindful of what makes it cool in the first place. What makes this industry special are the people who create and run Glamptuarys. They are independent. They are pioneers. They are fierce. And often times they are people who left the corporate world for a healthier lifestyle.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not trashing large corporations. There are many large awesome corporations doing awesome things. And on the flip-side…there are many independent small businesses who are less than desirable. My message here is that I really hope that the culture of the outdoor hospitality industry can be preserved as the industry grows.
So what does the future look like?
On a global scale - it looks bright.
People are taking interest in the outdoors, and more importantly people are willing to invest in the health of the planet. This makes sense if we want to keep enjoying what Mother Earth has to offer.
And it’s not just about travel and vacations. It’s about lifestyle and how we sustain ourselves.
The future looks bright indeed. It looks like a future I am excited to be a part of. It looks like a future that I want to be a part of.
What does all this mean for Glamptuary in 2025?
For starters, it means we’re going to keep publishing content.
We’re in the midst of casting for Season 4 of The Glamptuary Podcast. Our plan is to launch in March/April.
And we’re really excited to have a Glamptuary visit on the horizon in February to Sundance Trail Guest Ranch, located in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. Our review will be up in February too!
Winter rides are my favorite - Sundance Trail Guest Ranch photo credit - Visit Fort Collins
There are also plans in the works to launch some products and services powered by Glamptuary. This is part of what my time was focused on in 2024, and where a majority of my focus will be in 2025.
Hopefully there is more to come here in the way of announcements, new products and services, and legitimate business growth. And when the time is right - this blog will be where I announce it.
As I wrap up this first blog post of 2025, I kindly ask you to subscribe, and I kindly thank you in advance.
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And I’ll leave you with this quote… "What lies behind us, and what lies before us, are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."—Ralph Waldo Emerson
For me, I take this to mean that outcomes are out of our control. What is in our control… is how we react.
Whatever journey you are are on, or about to embark on - I wish you safe travels and an inspirational 2025… and beyond.
Namasté
I truly appreciate your time and if you’ve enjoyed what you’ve read - please share with your network.
