GLAMPING BUSINESS AND RETREAT EVENT SUCCESS

By Sarah Riley | Glamping Business & Retreat and Hospitality Marketing Expert

Inspired Courses ☆ The Glamping Academy ☆ Inspired Collective

If you've ever had a couple fall in love with your site for a wedding, then quietly go and book a separate, slightly awkward legal ceremony at a register office because your land isn't a "licensed venue", this post is for you. There's a genuine chance that's about to change, and the window to influence how it changes closes on 24 September 2026.

What's Actually Happening

On 16 July 2026, the UK Government launched a consultation called "Tying the Knot", described as the biggest shake-up of weddings law in almost 200 years. The main change: right now, a wedding has to happen at an approved, licensed venue to be legally binding. The proposal would scrap that rule entirely and regulate who conducts the ceremony instead of where it happens.

In practice, that means couples could have a fully legal wedding almost anywhere… a glamping meadow, a bell ...

By Sarah Riley | Glamping Business & Retreat and Hospitality Marketing Expert

Inspired Courses ☆ The Glamping Academy ☆ Inspired Collective

I recently sat down with Shannon Jamail on The Retreat Leaders Podcast for Episode 269, "Why Glamping and Retreats Are the Perfect Pair (And What Retreat Leaders Need to Know)." Shannon and I have both spent years in the experiential hospitality space. She hosts retreat leaders through her mastermind and community, and I've been building The Glamping Academy and Inspired Courses since 2010. This conversation is one I've wanted to have on her show for a while.

For 32 minutes, we dug into the intersection of two industries that keep pointing to each other: glamping and retreats. If you're a retreat leader, venue owner, or entrepreneur weighing whether glamping belongs in your business model, here's what we covered, and what I've learned running a boutique glamping and retreats business for over a decade.

Why Glamping and Retreats Are a Natural Ma...

By Sarah Riley | Glamping Business & Retreat and Hospitality Marketing Expert

Inspired Courses ☆ The Glamping Academy ☆ Inspired Collective

There's a rhythm to running a glamping business. Peak season fills up. Everything on either side of it goes quiet. Mid-week gaps, shoulder-season dates, off-peak months... the site is beautiful, but the fixed costs don't take a break just because the guests have.

That's usually the point where events such as weddings enter the conversation. Not because you set out to become a wedding venue, but because you start wondering whether your land, your accommodation, and your setting could work harder for you, without turning your business into something you no longer recognise.

Each country has different laws governing weddings held outdoors. For example, in the UK, since the law changed in 2022, more couples have been moving away from the traditional wedding format altogether, and glampsites have become one of the venues benefiting most from that sh...

By Sarah Riley | Glamping Business & Retreat and Hospitality Marketing Expert |

Inspired Courses ☆The Glamping Academy  ☆ Inspired Collective

This year, I'm embracing stress-free glamping business success, and I want to share exactly how I'm doing it. I'm Sarah Riley, founder of Inspired Courses, The Glamping Academy,and Inspired Collective. In over 15 years I have been helping more than 2,000 glamping, retreat, and unique hospitality businesses launch and grow across 18 countries, and during that time, the most consistent piece of advice I give isn't about marketing funnels or occupancy rates. It's about this...

If you bumped into me on the beach lately, or passed me on a dog walk, or even caught me pottering in my vegetable plot, you might wonder how I look so… peaceful.

No headphones.

No podcast.

No audiobook is teaching me something new about entrepreneurship, hospitality marketing, self-development, or the glamping industry. 

This is the magic of quiet moments… 

Just...

By Sarah Riley | Glamping Business & Retreat and Hospitality Marketing Expert

Inspired Courses ☆ The Glamping Academy ☆ Inspired Collective

Running a glampsite is exciting, but with more sites opening up every year, competition is fierce. Simply listing your site on different booking platforms isn’t enough anymore. Guests expect polished websites, engaging content, and strong social proof before making a booking.

Here are some practical strategies to help you attract more guest bookings and stand out in today’s digital travel space.

1. Use Content Marketing to Answer Guest Questions

Glamping is still new to many travellers, which means people are searching online to understand what it is and whether it’s right for them. Content marketing is one of the most powerful ways to build trust and convert curiosity into bookings.

Here’s how:

• Identify common guest questions and concerns (through surveys, online research, or even social platforms).

• Create blog posts, vide

  ...

By Sarah Riley | Glamping Business & Retreat and Hospitality Marketing Expert

Inspired Courses ☆ The Glamping Academy ☆ Inspired Collective

This is the age of AI, so you'll be forgiven if you've been wondering whether blogging is still worth your time, especially in hospitality marketing if you run a unique holiday rental or glamping business! If you are, then you're not alone. Many companies, especially in the unique hospitality sector, where teams are often small and already stretched, are starting to question whether blogging is still worthwhile.

But before you pause and give up producing great content, here’s something that might surprise you.

NP Digital recently analysed 20 companies...10 that kept blogging and 10 that stopped... to see what impact it had on their visibility.

They tracked their performance for 12 months, and the results were truly eye-opening for small and medium hospitality business owners.

The Numbers Tell the Story

The data showed that companies ...

By Sarah Riley | Glamping Business & Retreat and Hospitality Marketing Expert

Inspired Courses ☆ The Glamping Academy ☆ Inspired Collective

Hospitality is constantly evolving to keep up with changing times, shifting travel habits, and the needs of new generations. With higher spending power and a growing desire for unique experiences, travellers are looking for destinations that combine adventure, comfort, and sustainability. That’s why glamping, also known as glamorous camping, has become such a popular alternative to traditional camping and even luxury hotels.

But what does it actually take to run a glamping site day-to-day? Beyond the luxury tents or cabins, there are logistics, systems, and operations that need to be managed to ensure your business runs smoothly and your guests leave happy.

Capacity and Space Planning

Space is your biggest asset. Guests aren’t booking a glamping stay to feel crowded... they want privacy, views, and that “exclusive” vibe. Think about ho...

By Sarah Riley | Glamping Business & Retreat and Hospitality Marketing Expert

Inspired Courses ☆ The Glamping Academy ☆ Inspired Collective

You know that feeling when you’ve poured your heart into planning a retreat, you’ve booked the venue, dreamed up the perfect theme, imagined your guests having those “aha” moments... and then… nothing?

You post about it, send some emails, and cross your fingers. Maybe one or two spots get filled, but the numbers don’t even come close to covering your costs. Panic sets in:

What if I have to cancel?

What if nobody comes?

What if this was a huge mistake?

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common struggles retreat leaders face. The problem usually isn’t your passion, your theme, or even your price tag... it’s something else entirely.

Why Retreats Stay Empty

Here’s the hard truth: retreats don’t sell out just because they’re amazing.

Most retreat leaders do things backwards. They spend months locking...

By Sarah Riley | Glamping Business & Retreat and Hospitality Marketing Expert

Inspired Courses ☆ The Glamping Academy ☆ Inspired Collective

Glamping is an amazing way to enjoy the outdoors year-round, and its popularity continues to grow across the world. At peak times, many sites run at full occupancy... but when the weather cools or school calendars kick in, bookings can dip. If your glampsite struggles during quieter months, don’t panic. With the right mix of creativity and strategy, you can turn low season into an opportunity.

Here are some smart ways to attract more low-season and off-peak bookings for your site.

1. Make Weekdays More Attractive

Weekdays are often slower because of school and work commitments, but that doesn’t mean nobody is interested. In fact, some travellers actively prefer weekday getaways because of the quieter atmosphere and personalised service.

Try themed weekday promos to spark interest. For example:

• “Teepee Tuesdays” with discounted rental
...