Open Air Business January 2018

GLAMPSITES
ALL WEATHER
GLAMPING
Quality Unearthed’s Tim Rees
explains why ‘seasonality’ is the
new buzz word in glamping
PICTURES COURTESY OF QUALITY UNEARTHED
WINTER - NOT A time of year
you’d automatically associate
with sleeping in the great British
outdoors. But think again! What
if we were to tell you that your
natural winter experience can also
include underfloor heating, hot
showers, roll top baths and cosy
wood burning stoves? Interested?
You won’t be the first – indeed,
glampers nationwide are turning
their attention to what had
previously been considered as the
off-season months. Seasonality
is the buzz word of the moment
in the glamping world, and
the notion that you can only
reasonably go glamping between
the months of March and October
is fast becoming a thing of the
past.
The glamping scene in the UK is
fast developing, as demonstrated
by record attendance to shows
such as The Glamping Show and
the Farm Business Innovation
Show, with more and more
landowners, campsite operators
and self-catering businesses
turning to this alternative and
exciting holiday industry than
ever before. The speedy evolution
of this popular industry means
that not only have the types
of structure on offer become
increasingly unique, but the
duration of rental periods is also
expanding, meaning that guests
to these alternative abodes are
able to enjoy the wildness of
Britain in all its perennial glory.
After all, we all love a sprinkling
of snow over the mountain tops,
frosty leaves cracking underfoot,
and a good, chunky bobble hat
on a crisp, clear, starry night. But
we love crackling fires, a warm
bed and an excuse for a mug
of hot chocolate to defrost our
noses, too.
What, then, does this mythbusting
transformation in
seasonality mean for those
interested in glamping? Our
research over the last four years
has shown us that online search
trends for winter glamping
holidays have doubled between
2014 and 2017, meaning that
guests and site owners have
seen the demand in winter
glamping opportunities
rise significantly… and
it doesn’t show signs of
stopping.
Here’s Quality
Unearthed’s guide to
setting up a successful
and sustainable allseason
glamping site.
1
YOUR ALL-SEASON SITE
Do you have a parcel of land that’s prone to
flooding during the rainy months? A steep hill
that becomes treacherous when icy? A woodland spot
where branches regularly fall during high winds? You
can see where we’re going here… planning your allseason
glamping spot is as important as choosing the
structure itself. Now we’re not saying that you should
avoid interesting and adventurous places to site your
glamping creation. We encourage the courage of a
cantilevered cabin or the thrill of a converted boat
gliding across treetops. But the ethos of glamping
is being in tune and accord with Mother Nature, not
battling her every time the seasons change. What may
be a fantastic spot in the warm summer months may
be trickier for you and your guests during the winter.
Try to think ahead and make the experience easy and
enjoyable at all times of the year.
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