Starting Up Your Own Glampsite: Do You Have What it Takes?

The Staycation is here to stay

The persistent rise of glamping in the UK has had a noticeable effect on the leisure industry as more families opt for a luxury ‘staycation’ over going abroad. This has seen an unprecedented boom due to the current pandemic leaving little other option for holidays in spite of the relaxation of lockdowns and rules. For campsites this has led to a sharp increase in demand and the chance to diversify their sites by offering glamping options.  Farmers have also been able to get in on the glamping action thanks, in part, to the government grants on offer for adding business activities to traditional farming to develop new sources of income.  Consortiums such as Farm Stay and Glampingly make it easier than ever before to join the glamping bandwagon and market whatever accommodation you have to offer. Shepherds huts, bell tents, tree houses, pods, domes, tipis, airstreams, lodges, double decker buses, wagons, yurts, you name it, the glamping structure possibilities are endless for anyone with a bit of land. 

Things to consider

Planning applications, layout, extra sanitation facilities, risk assessments and procuring your accommodation are all very important parts of the process. There are many finance companies out there who deal with finance specifically for glamping start ups.  There are even companies now such as Glampitect who will create your glampsite for you taking care of everything from planning to branding and marketing, for a handsome fee. 

Marketing is also key so a website or listing on a website is vital for being found in the online melee. In addition to this it's a no-brainer to get on those social media platforms and blow your own trumpet for some free advertising. 

It is always advisable to conduct a very detailed business plan to assess the feasibility of this kind of venture including every conceivable cost involved in making it happen. Think insurance, utilities, maintenance, laundry, WiFi, extra staffing for changeovers. Some sort of USP is always useful but stay within your means - you can always start with a nice food hamper/bottle of wine and build up to that wood-fired hot tub as finances allow.

Accommodation Options
There are all sorts of ideas out there for what to put your guests in.  Think about whether you will offer seasonal or all year round glamping first.  We attend a very useful free event each year aptly named The Glamping Show where you can see hundreds of glamping stands offering everything you could possibly think of in relation to starting up a glampsite from composting toilets to hot tubs and insurance and everything in between.  Well worth a visit to get the creative juices flowing.

At Glawning Ltd we can provide competitive quotes and mutual publicity if you wish to choose glawnings as your accommodation.  Our glamorous two door bell tents will work as standalone tents or attached to a campervan, the latter option opening things up to a whole new market of campers. These glawnings, like any bell tent glamping experience can be charged out at anything from £70 per night upwards depending on just how glam you go with the experience so return on investment. We have a ready-made audience in this market ripe for a shout out, many of whom will be interested in a 'try before you buy' option just like this.  Our bell tent awnings will be more affordable for a start-up than yurts, shepherd huts, pods etc but still able to take a hammering for several seasons due to the heavy duty canvas used. 

Just do it!

In the current climate it is almost a forgone conclusion that the staycation market will continue to boom.  A glampsite is a good sideline business for those looking to supplement an income that may have suffered due to the pandemic.  It can also be launched on a larger scale as a serious business venture. It is largely seasonal so you'll get a nice well earned rest over winter, although glamping is cosy enough to continue through the winter months. The immediate return on investment for a venture like this is a certainty and if it all goes wrong for some reason you can always sell the kit on eBay and make your money back!   

Drop the Glawning team a line at info@glawning.com for more information, advice or a competitive quote.