Hotel Owner Hotel Owner July 2017 digital | Page 46

QUALITY IN TOURISM | WHEN AN INSPECTOR CALLS
AN INSPECTOR CALLS: GLAMPING
With exponential growth in the number of web searches for the term ‘glamping’, the last decade has
been typified by guests looking for ‘experiential hospitality’, and everything from Tipis to Boeing 747’s
are being used to capitalise on the trend. DEBORAH HEATHER, director of Quality in Tourism, offers
tips on delivering an authentic experience without compromising quality
U
sed to describe anything but which you are operating. This means that
personal tents, glamping is defined glamping is typically suited to rural locations,
as up-market camping, with where land is not at a premium, which gives
accommodation and facilities that exceed countryside accommodation providers the
the standards of a traditional pitch-your- edge; but anywhere you have space, you
own tent. It is used to encompass any non- have the opportunity to glamp. Second, it is
traditional places to stay, from treehouses also important to remember that glamping
to yurts and everything in between. is not about up-market tents; the most
Glamping appeals to consumers who like common type of glamping accommodation is
the idea of camping, but not the reality of a Tipi or Yurt, but don’t be restricted by the
leaving behind luxuries like running water idea your glamping must have a tent aspect
and proper toilets, and to those looking – the whole point of this trend is to be quirky,
interesting and experiential.
to get away and relax, without wanting to
spend a fortune getting there.
which has to make allowances for structural
Perhaps some of the most interesting
limitations, compare that with a converted I have personally seen are the ‘Rooftop
that despite an overall slowing and slump aeroplane and then inspect both alongside Rockets’ in Bristol, where Brooks
in much of the international hospitality the more traditional, uniform hotel room? Guesthouse provide vintage aluminium
market, glamping saw a 1% growth in 2016, The answer is that you don’t, so different caravans on top of their roof, boasting
with overall revenues of £3billion. The criteria have to be set to ensure that stunning views across the City. I kid you not.
trend has been accelerated by domestic public safety is assured, legal standards Similarly, on The Isle of White, The Windmill
tourists, with families and couples opting are met, and the potential experience is Campersite boasts a converted Helicopter
for UK staycations to reduce travel time assessed, and which does so in a way that among other unique places to stay and in
and overall costs. According to The is comparable with traditional star grading, Carmarthenshire, Wales you can stay in a
Telegraph Go Outdoors Feature, 4 out of but adapted to suit the environment; a converted double-decker bus. Each of these
5 Brits would rather go on a staycation challenge that we are working hard to fairly examples highlights the opportunity you
than abroad next year, due to affordability, and accurately address. have to upcycle and reuse, and to create
Research by IBIS World UK highlights
significant additional bed space, in limited
safety, perceived less stress and less
So how can you go about establishing a land plots. Is there somewhere on your
glamping business? site that you could squeeze in a shipping
the accommodation is so non-traditional that First and foremost, introducing glamping is container, or site a gypsy caravan? Or if
they often cannot be compared like for like. a way to use spare or redundant space to you have the luxury of more space, could
How do you define the key characteristics better effect, increasing accommodation you diversify into glamping as a new or
and standards expected of a treehouse, and making the most of the environment in additional revenue stream?
travel time.
The big challenge with glamping is that
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July 2017