GLAMPING BUSINESS AND RETREAT EVENT SUCCESS

In the world of unique stays and glamping, one thing stands out: not every host is playing the same game! Scroll through a few listings and you’ll see it right away. Some properties jump off the screen, pulling you in and making you want to pack a bag immediately. Others, although equally beautiful, get passed over in seconds.

So what sets the top 10% of hosts apart?

It’s not just about fancy features or cool amenities. It’s about the experience they create even before the guest arrives. In other words, from the moment they spot the accommodation when browsing social media or asking for inspiration from friends.

First Impressions Really Do Matter!

When people walk past a high street shop, they are tempted inside by the window display. The better the display, the more likely the shop owner will attract new shoppers. It is precisely the same in hospitality, even if your business is in the middle of a rural area and nowhere near a high street or natural footfall. So you need to thin...

Thinking about buying a campsite? It can be a rewarding investment, but it’s not just about finding a patch of land and pitching a few tents. From location and amenities to zoning rules and potential revenue, there’s a lot to weigh up before you sign on the dotted line. This guide will walk you through the key things to consider when looking at campsites for sale so you can make a wise decision.

Determine Your Budget and Financing Options

Before you start scrolling through listings, get clear on your budget. Think beyond the purchase price, factor in renovation costs, upgrades, staff, marketing, and ongoing maintenance. Many buyers underestimate the “hidden” costs that come with running a site.

Financing options can include traditional bank loans, specialist leisure property lenders, or even partnerships and joint ventures. Having your financial plan mapped out early gives you confidence when you find the right opportunity.

Research the Location and Market Demand.

Location is ever...

In the ever-evolving world of glamping, luxury outdoor hospitality and retreat events, one truth is undeniable: the game has changed... Dramatically! 

Gone are the days when simply ranking on Google or sending a few emails could reliably fill your calendar and events. Today, thanks to rapid shifts in consumer search behaviour, the rise of AI, and increasing guest expectations, glamping business owners, unique hospitality providers, short-stay hosts and retreat leaders need to adapt, or risk being lost and forgotten.

Listen to the full episode here:

If you've been wondering why your website traffic is down, bookings are slower, or engagement is dropping despite your best efforts, you are not alone. But the solution isn't working harder... It's working smarter. 

The Cheese Has Moved: What Glamping and Retreat Hosts Can Learn from a Classic Business Book Parable 

In the book Who Moved My Cheese?, we're reminded that clinging to what worked in the past is a recipe for stagnation....

If you're running a glamping site, retreat venue or luxury outdoor hospitality business, chances are you've felt the pressure to market more effectively and increase your customers. There are several ways to improve your bookings and occupancy, and some strategies are more effective than others. 

But here’s the secret: before you can master your marketing, you need to know exactly who you're speaking to.

Defining your target market is the foundation that transforms guesswork into guest bookings and will help you stand out from the crowd.

Have you ever wondered why your competitors always seem to have more bookings than you, even though you are working just as hard and are comparable in every other way? It might just be that they are better at 'speaking' to their target market, which makes this a skill you need to learn. And it all starts with knowing who your target market is.

Why Knowing Your Target Market Will Change Everything

Also known as the customer avatar and ideal audienc...

In the world of experiential travel, your property’s design does more than offer comfort… it tells a story. A story that gets shared in photos, reels, and tags. And that story can help you build you a fully booked calendar.

So how do you design your glamping site, retreat or unique hospitality not just for rest, but for where guests do the storytelling for you?

The secret? Intentional design that encourages connection and content.

Here's how you can tailor your glamping stay to attract modern guests and inspire user-generated content that sells your space without you lifting a finger.

Whether you're a glamping business owner, unique hospitality host, or building a short-stay eco-retreat, these strategies will elevate your brand, attract your dream guests, and help your property stand out.

1. Create Photographable Moments in Unexpected Places

Guests love capturing the unseen details. Think beyond the obvious.

• Add a winding woodland path dappled in fairy lights (or an army of ga
...

Glampsites are popular, especially during holiday periods. If you are in an area with a high concentration of holiday rental accommodations, you need to find a way to stand out and attract customers to your site. Due to the unique visual appeal of glamorous camping, you have considerable potential to develop a solid brand and effectively reach your target market. 

Here's how to attract more direct guest bookings to your holiday rental, even if you're short on time and energy:

1. Perform weekly assessments and build robust data

Attract customers by regularly analysing your data and adjusting your offering accordingly. Review weekly reports, trends, and visitor demographics to assess any correlations with your booking rate. Also, examine holiday periods and events to identify any correlations with your booking rate. For example, if you are getting more group or family bookings, you can adjust your strategy to target more group travellers and cliques. Knowing what you are dealing with ...

Digitising your guest experience isn’t about swapping soul for screens. It’s about using thoughtful tech touches to create more ease, more magic, and more of those “I’ll never forget this place” moments.

And the best bit? These tools don’t just elevate the guest journey. They also simplify your workflow, cut out time-wasting tasks, and help boost your income, without burning you out.

Whether you run a boutique glamping site, an eco-retreat or a one-of-a-kind short stay, here are five simple, soulful ways to use tech that feels good (and works hard behind the scenes).

5 Effortless Tech Upgrades For Glamping Hosts That Add Wow to Every Short Stay

1. The Digital Welcome Guide That Feels Like a Hug

What it is:
A beautifully designed, mobile-friendly guestbook sent before arrival, packed with everything they need, including check-in details, house rules, how-to guides, FAQs, local gems, and curated experiences.

Why it works for you:
No more late-night “Where do I park?” messages. Yo...

Hosting retreat events can have a profound impact on both attendees and the host, creating a ripple effect of positive change. "It's just like when you drop a pebble into the water and it sends out a whole host of ripples." - Laura of WelSummer Camping

In our recent podcast episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Laura from Well Summer Camping. Laura shared her experience of hosting a retreat event at her glamping site. She mentioned that the event exceeded her expectations, with attendees forming deep connections and experiencing emotional breakthroughs. This highlights how retreats can provide a space for individuals to let go, find peace, and connect with nature and themselves.

The ripple effect of hosting a retreat extends beyond the event itself. Laura mentioned receiving feedback from attendees who continued to practice activities they learned at the retreat, such as foraging and herbal medicine, with their families. This demonstrates how the positive experiences and knowl...

The retreat industry is booming. People are craving experiences that foster wellness, connection, and personal growth.  If you've ever considered a retreat center startup, now is the perfect time to turn that dream into a reality. But where do you begin? How do you build a retreat center that not only offers exceptional experiences but also thrives as a business?

This blog will equip you with the knowledge and resources you need to navigate the exciting world of retreat center startups. We'll delve into the key aspects of running a retreat center, from finding your niche to building a loyal clientele.

Finding Your Niche: The Heart of Your Retreat Center Startup

Every successful retreat center caters to a specific audience.  This niche could be anything from yoga and mindfulness retreats  (https://www.inspiredcoursesvip.com/retreat-business ) to adventure retreats or retreats focused on writing, art, or personal development. The key is knowing what your audience wants (not what you t...

Deciding to run a yoga retreat business can be a transformative experience for you and your guests. You are offering a chance to escape the chaos of everyday life and dive deeper into your practice while benefitting others who want to use yoga to improve their health and wellness. But all the questions you are likely to have about how to run a yoga retreat yourself can be overwhelming. You might even be asking how you can start a yoga retreat business, how you should name your retreat events to attract attention and exactly what it costs to run a yoga retreat.

What you don’t want to be is a retreat hobbyist, so if the idea of leading a group of like-minded people in a serene location appeals to you so you can become a professional sold-out retreat leader, then this ultimate guide is just what you need. From tips on choosing the perfect location and creating a captivating itinerary to marketing strategies and best practices for ensuring a successful retreat, we've got you covered.

How...