The Rise Of Glamping

FROM CHIC TREND TO A SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS MODEL – THE STORY AND NUMBERS BEHIND THE EMERGING SECTOR IN THE TRAVEL CATEGORY AND THE CHALLENGES FOR CONSUMERS TO TAKE IT ALL IN.

Source - Verified Market research - 2022

The numbers tell the story.

Glamping is arguably the hottest new travel category to date and it owes a bit of thanks to the pandemic.

When people lost their ability to travel 2020, they didn’t lose their desire to travel. And where there’s a will, there’s a way.

For the folks that weren’t able to stay in their all-inclusive resort due to social distancing – they turned to alternative destinations that offered a bit of luxury with a touch of something new (plus a LOT of space to social distance).

Enter glamping. Or should I say, let me re introduce myself…

Glamping has been around for awhile (officially since 2005 most say)… but it’s only in recent years that this newish kid on the block began to realize huge growth. And it doesn’t seem to be slowing down at all.

The truth is… glamping has been around MUCH longer. So before we get to the numbers…lets talk a little history.

Source - Original Yurts - 2022

Yurts were first made popular by the Mongols in 1200 AD because they were sturdy, yet light enough to be transported, which supported their nomadic lifestyle and helped them conquer most of Eurasia.

Source - The Canadian Encyclopedia - 2017

Travel Blogs are a great resource when it comes to epic photos WITH details. I have some favorites including Alison’s Adventures, HoneyTrek, and Nomadasaurus.  Like most travel blogs, they are high on variety as much as they are detail. And hey should be. These folks are professional travelers (color me jealous) and they are always on the go. This means that if you’re looking for extensive coverage on a specific offering, you may face some challenges finding it unless it’s the most current article.

Online Booking Platforms are a great resource. It’s the only place where you can actually book your travel, with the exception of the individual property’s website when available. There is a lot to sort through though on sites like VRBO, Expedia and Airbnb. Glamping is not their priority. There are more specialized platforms that are aimed at the outdoorsy traveler including Glamping Hub, Hipcamp and Tentrr. These do a better job of focusing on the type of accommodations that can fall within the glamping category.

And then there are the properties that choose not to affiliate with a partner booking platform. These glamping properties prefer direct bookings which means you’ll have to perform strategic searches online to find them. This is time consuming, but worth it when you discover the hidden gems although marketing and website design may not be a strength of glamping property owner/operators. It can be hit or miss as to what you’ll see on owner/operator glamping websites.

However you find your next glamping destination, knowing the details about the property before you head out will help you plan for what you won’t find at many glamping properties. Some properties have wifi, some do not. Some have restroom facilities similar to your home, some have outhouses. Some have comfortable bedding, some have cots, some have nothing. Some have activities on property for you to experience, some have nothing but the surrounding scenery to experience.

One piece of feedback I’ve heard from folks who have been glamping is that you simply run out of things to do when you vacation in the great outdoors. This is especially true when it comes to kids – especially if they have grown up with all the technology devices at the fingertips. This addiction to the internet is precisely why more family vacations should be spent away from the creature comforts if everyday life. Glamping definitely creates a buffer between “home” and “nature”. That said, kids will eventually get bored with campfires and nature hikes. Even adults will after a couple days.

One of our goals is to highlight glamping properties that include on-site activities. Having things to experience outside of the yurt, tipi, geodome, wagon, or whatever fabulous accommodation you have can be key to the overall success of your vacation. More often than not, you’ll be engaging in a stay longer than one or two nights when glamping and running out of things to do can lead to a less than desirable end to your vacation.

With Glamptuary – we’ll be featuring only glamping properties that also offer on-site experiences. These experiences could be an in-yurt massage, a guided horseback ride in the mountains, a private culinary experience, or a tour of a working farm tied to an educational lecture about sustainable agriculture. It’s our hope to provide a curated collection of adventure travel destinations that offer the opportunity to connect with nature (and with yourself) in a comfortable, easy and engaging atmosphere.

Location - Hotel Rodavento

If we can be a resource to help navigate this burgeoning travel category – that’ll make us some happy campers. Glampers. You get it.

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