Open Air Business June/July 2018

GLAMPSITES
GLAMPING PLANNING
APPLICATIONS
Now and then, you’ll see
a new article report that
a planning application
for a glamping site has
been refused. The most
recent one being in an
AONB, on the basis that it
would spoil the character,
a common objection.
Planning is probably the
most common pinch point
where a glamping site gets
stuck, and I’m being asked
more often these days to
write supporting letters.
Sometimes there are
good reasons for a refusal,
and sometimes not. Either
way, it’s a frustrating
barrier to come up against
when many hours of work
and costs have gone into
the project. An experienced
planning consultant should
smooth the process and
head off foreseeable issues,
but if you’re putting in the
application yourself, do
ensure you’ve done your
homework, checked local
requirements, and ticked
as many relevant boxes
as possible. Incomplete
and badly researched
DIY applications can
sometimes be the problem.
If you’re stuck I’m happy
to have a quick chat and
point you in the right
direction if I can, and
sometimes there are other
options.
INDUSTRY TRENDS
One tourism sector seems to be getting more exposure
lately, and that’s sustainable and ethical holidays. Perhaps
one reason is increasing publicity, and therefore public
awareness, around pollution and ecology issues - one
current example being the volume of plastic in our oceans,
and its devastating effects on marine life.
Glamping started out as a grass-roots, low-impact
holiday option, and while some glamping developments
don’t currently share that ethos, a lot still do by employing
at least some aspects of sustainability. At last, a wider
variety of hospitality businesses are also taking steps in the
same direction, with some big hotel chains announcing a
total ban on single-use plastics by the end of 2018.
It makes sense for the hospitality industry, as a whole,
to do even more, especially when a recent booking.com
survey revealed that 67% of customers are willing to
spend at least 5% more for their holiday to have a minimal
environmental impact. While booking.com won’t represent
every demographic, they are big enough to make these
results noteworthy.
WHISK ME AWAY...
To Animal World in Disney, Florida, where two lucky people
will experience a glamping stay in the new $500 million
development dedicated to the movie ‘Avatar’. Disney is running
a competition to win a ‘once in a lifetime adventure’ - a three
night VIP experience which includes one night glamping under
the floating mountains of Pandora. Disney promises ‘custom
experiences’ and, as we might expect, the promo video couldn’t
be more spectacular. Having been to Disney in Florida and seen
their level of professionalism and attention to detail, this does
indeed promise to be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Oh - and
if you happen to win, Open Air Business wants the scoop!
Movers & Shakers
Welsh businessman, Lawrence Jones, has big investment
plans for a former quarry site at Hafod y Wern in Snowdonia,
North Wales, an area which he believes needs more
investment. The plans include a small but iconic hotel and
a glamping development, which he says will create much
needed jobs and increased tourism spend in the area.
Lawrence has spent 10 years looking for a suitable site, and
now that he’s found it, the planning application will be going in
very soon. Let’s hope he doesn’t encounter the same problems
as our friends in the AONB. I see more developments being
planned for Wales, and sure enough, it needs the investment.
One to watch.
40 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM