Open Air Business August/September 2018

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GLAMPSITES Movers & Shakers Or should that be ‘high flyers’ this month? If you and I are connected on social media, you might remember a post of mine from a couple of years ago about David McGowan, who shipped a decommissioned Boeing 767 plane to Sligo. The plane is destined to be converted into glamping accommodation where couples get married in the cockpit, and children slide down the safety chutes. David’s plans don’t end there. He’s also got his sights on others forms of transport for conversion into glamping - a tank, double decker bus, a vintage train used in Orient Express, a yacht, an armoured personnel carrier, and a truck from the movie Black Dog. The site also has planning permission for an airport terminal where the control tower would be a bridal suite (presumably with ‘Radar Love’ or maybe the Top Gun soundtrack on loop), a cinema, coffee shop and education centre. As you can see, it’s quite an ambitious project. Two years on however, the development remains grounded until additional finance is secured, around £4.5 million, by Mr McGowans calculations. One can’t but help admire his leading-edge vision and we look forward to seeing the completed project take-off sometime soon. INDUSTRY COMMENT If there’s one subject that regularly pops up, it’s ‘what defines a proper glamping experience’. Some industry colleagues insist it has to be five star or it’s not glamping, and others feel that as long as the location is good, a simple set-up qualifies - but a row of pods doesn’t. One thing I’m sure we can all agree on, however, is that regardless of facilities or location, they need to be commensurate with the rental fees being charged, and clearly marketed via photographs and descriptions. Because when this doesn’t happen our industry reputation suffers, and frankly, some glamping simply isn’t being sold properly. In an effort to promote better standards, the Glamping Association is working with Quality in Tourism which runs an accreditation system and includes glamping. Also, in an effort to promote better safety, the Glamping Association has published a handbook on regulations, snappily titled ‘The Glamping Association's Legislative Essentials for Glamping Accommodation Lodgings (LEGAL) Guide’. It’s available as an e-book via Amazon. WHISK ME AWAY To Tree House Lodge, a small eco-resort on the southern coast of Costa Rica, sitting on the cusp of the Carribean sea and Gandoca Manzanillo wildlife reserve. It's a rustic, creative, mini-resort development, typical of the South American forest style. It's all here - a beautiful location, white beaches, wellness facilities, engaging activities, and an interesting fusion of traditional builds with quirky architecture. In particular, take a look at the bathroom in the Beach Suite, or the walls in the Crystal House (the mini-golf though, hmm), and especially the loo in the treehouse! I can't help but muse over the logistics of that, plumbing being what it is. This development is one of my favourite kinds of glamping, because it immerses us in an experience, of location and heritage. The video (take note) genuinely makes you want to be there, and the whole place very much brings back memories of my work on the regeneration project in Ecuador - the jungle and bamboo structures, and the stunning coastline. It also takes me back to travelling days in Mexico and Belize. There is something uniquely endearing and mysterious about this region of our planet; once visited it is never forgotten. Right now, I can visualise myself swaying in the hammock on the deck of the Beach House, evening cocktail in hand, as the breeze billows through... pondering the meaning of life, and ignoring Tally's deadline. 44 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM
ZERO MAINTENANCE WHY CHOOSE OUR CAMPING PODS? Our pods can be built to fit your needs, any size, fixtures or fittings, and price range! ENDLESS CUSTOMISATION WARM, DRY, SECURE Mini Pod – Snug Pod – Family Pod – Mega Pod – Micro Lodge All our pods are: Available with a choice of 3 roof coverings Manufactured with a steel galvanised base Fully insulated as standard Double glazed with multi-point locking systems Zero Maintenance Fitted with LED lights, sockets & underfloor heating 01524 572311 | www.lunevalleypods.co.uk WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 45
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Page 5 and 6: Holiday Park Moves into Glamping TH
Page 7 and 8: PRODUCT United Nations Project Paki
Page 9 and 10: CampPlus Merges with Finkota CAMPPL
Page 11 and 12: Glampsite Specific Booking System S
Page 13 and 14: INDUSTRY NEWS Festival & Outdoor Ev
Page 16 and 17: NEW TO THE UK Come and meet us at t
Page 18 and 19: INDUSTRY NEWS The Showman’s Show
Page 20 and 21: Avoid a messy situation with Metro
Page 22 and 23: FUNCTION VENUES caterers that we ha
Page 24 and 25: FUNCTION VENUES asking questions to
Page 26 and 27: 7 & 8 NOV 2018 NEC BIRMINGHAM COUNT
Page 28 and 29: FUNCTION VENUES 3 Refresh your visu
Page 30 and 31: Silent Power for every event and of
Page 32 and 33: FUNCTION VENUES Getting to the buye
Page 34 and 35: FUNCTION VENUES PRODUCT IN FOCUS Fl
Page 37 and 38: GLAMPSITES CASE STUDY Atlantic Surf
Page 39 and 40: GLAMPSITES We chose to make our own
Page 41 and 42: WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM 41
Page 43: GLAMPSITES OUT & ABOUT with Kate Mo
Page 47 and 48: GLAMPSITES TreeHOUSES Real life exa
Page 49 and 50: Creative Partners Alternative Build
Page 51 and 52: GLAMPSITES GETTY IMAGES DIY PR How
Page 53: nick@wild-hart.co.uk www.wild-hart.
Page 56 and 57: Timbertipi a natural choice to inve
Page 58 and 59: 95 Watermill Description: 95 Waterm
Page 60 and 61: GLAMPSITES The West Field Glamping
Page 62 and 63: TRADITION SINCE 1896 WE MANUFACTURE
Page 64 and 65: Carefully designed 100% cotton canv
Page 66 and 67: EVENTS How does the relationship wo
Page 68 and 69: EVENTS What challenges have you fac
Page 70 and 71: EVENTS CSR Strategy In the final pa
Page 72 and 73: EVENTS GETTY IMAGES Event Sponsorsh
Page 74 and 75: EVENTS Getting it Right Manage your
Page 76 and 77: Sandown Park 26 - 27 September 2018
Page 78 and 79: Spot light A roundup of products fo
Page 80 and 81: Classified Directory BARKER Marquee
Page 82 and 83: DAY IN THE LIFE 24 Hours with… Le

Open Air Business August/September 2018

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