International Glamping Business | Jan/Feb 2020

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ISSUE 19 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

RECONNECT Getaway: US Tiny House Glamping Escapes

FOCUS ON THE NETHERLANDS Interview with Ivo van der Vils of LuxeTenten

INSIDE: WATER TREATMENT LANDSCAPING INSPIRATION AND INFORMATION FOR GLAMPING OPERATORS Gl mping 00 BUSINESS

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International Glamping Business is published by: Upgrade Publishing Registered address:

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47 Oliver Close London W4 3RL

Publishers: Upgrade Publishing Steph Curtis-Raleigh e: steph@upgradepublishing.com Editor: Steph Curtis-Raleigh e: steph@upgradepublishing.com Reporter: Will Rusbridge Sales:

by

Welcome to 2020, a new decade and a new edition of International Glamping Business magazine. This issue, we would like to thank Richard Otten - our Dutch correspondent and founder of Glamping.nl, for the contribution of our Netherlands special.

Coming from a background of traditional and highly popular camping sites, the Dutch market is embracing the opportunities of glamping and making significant investment in the sector. Richard also brings us an interview with Ivo van der Vils - the new owner of LuxeTenten who brings a fresh new perspective to the company and the wider industry. He heralds a modern, holistic approach to attracting and supporting a motivated team of talented staff, which is a lesson to us all, whether we be site owners, suppliers or even industry press!

Kathryn Kelly t: +44 (0) 7575 408580 e: kath@upgradepublishing.com Design: Dean Coulter Design on Tap www.designontap.co.uk

We also bring you a wealth of information and advice on waste water management and landscaping. These are issues that you highlighted to us in our pre-Glamping Show survey as being high on your list of priorities. Thank you to our readers who also sent us their experiences good, bad and inventive for dealing with your waster water challenges.

Steph International Glamping Business Editor/Publisher

www.glampingbusiness.com

Other Events: The Glamping Show

CONTENTS

w: www.glampingshow.com e: dan.w@theglampingshow.com

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Interview with Saniflo

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News

e: peter.r@swanevents.co.uk

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USA news

Š Upgrade Publishing Ltd.

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Profile on Getaway

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Holiday Park De Pier Profile

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Product news

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Interview: Vacanze col Cuore

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Landscaping

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Interview: Richard Otten

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Water Management

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Eco Resort Network

Global Glamping Summit w: www.glampingsummit.com

International Glamping Business is

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Interview with Ivo van der Vils.

Luxetenten

published 5 times a year.

No reproduction of any part of the magazine is permitted, nor storage in a retrieval system without prior consent of the publisher. No commercial exploitation is permitted.

No warranty is implied in respect of any product or trader mentioned herewith. Prizes offered in competitions might be substituted with ones of similar value.

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World’s First Culturally Themed Glamping Village

AUTOCAMP VENTURES TO CAPE COD The Californian company AutoCamp operates luxury glamping resorts filled with beautiful Airstream caravans, all luxuriously furnished.

Currently, the company operates glamping resorts in Santa Barbara, Russian River Valley, and Yosemite National Park.

However, AutoCamp have recently announced that a fourth location is in the works.

Scheduled to open in the fall of 2020, AutoCamp will welcome it’s fourth location on Cape Cod, marking the company’s first East Coast location.

Filled with the same iconic Airstream travel trailers as the company’s other locations, the site will be a mere thirty minute drive to Boston and three and a half hours to New York.

The Airstreams available will be the same custom, mid-century modern trailers that are produced by Airstream exclusively for the company.

There will be 108 separate accommodations on offer at AutoCamp Cape Cod, consisting of Airstream “suites”, ADAaccessible X Suites, and Luxury Tents.

At the centre of the new site, AutoCamp Cape Cod, will feature a two-story clubhouse where guests can enjoy locally sourced food, as well as make use of the private event space and modern lounge area with both indoor and outdoor fireplaces.

Weekly activities will also be on offer, including yoga, beer and cider tastings, and music by the campfire. The wooded grounds around the clubhouse will also interactive art installations As well as the announcement of the new location, AutoCamp have also announced investment from Airstream Inc to fuel the growth of the company. The agreement designates AutoCamp the exclusive lodging partner of Airstream.

As the exclusive lodging partner, AutoCamp have secured an agreement from Airstream provide units for its upcoming properties including, but not limited to, Cape Cod. The additional properties will be announced over the next year.

If you’d like to find out more about the new AutoCamp Cape Cod location, head over to the Autocamp website.

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Located in the heart of Kerikeri, New Zealand, set on a six-acre site is a world’s first for glamping. Paradise Valley Glampsite has claimed to be the world’s first culturally themed glamping site, featuring five tents that are furnished according to their country of origin.

Owners Wendy Parry and Donna Finnigan have recently opened the site, January 16, on a 2.4 hectare property, of which they have set aside 1.6 hectares for glamping. Since opening, the site has seen bookings from a number of countries including the United States, United Kingdom and New Zealand.

The friends, who moved to Kerikeri from Auckland five years ago, have spent their lives travelling the globe with Parry being born in New Zealand, brought up in the UK, and lived in Africa for six years and Finnigan, originally from Scotland heading off travelling the world for three months of each year.

Each of the accommodation units have queens sized beds complete with luxurious mattresses and pillows, as well as electricity, a private decking area designed by the renowned Greek artist Nikos Melenounos, and tea and coffee making facilities.

The Asian “zen” tent is a bell tent from Japan, that overlooks the lake to the valley beyond, featuring Buddhas and minimalist décor. The African Safari tent comes beautifully furnished with authentic artefacts.

The 1950s inspired South Pacific Tiki tent comes with Pacific prints, leis, shells and a private tiki bar on the deck. An English style primrose bell tent comes equipped with hanging flower baskets and English vintage china. There is also a Native American tipi that is in the process of being furnished.

On top of this, there is a communal rustic kitchen and barbeque area that is made from upcycled wood along with bathroom facilities including hot showers.

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ARMADILLA SEES 2 YEAR SALES GROWTH OF ALMOST 300% Armadilla produce eco-friendly pods using sustainable, high quality materials and the latest manufacturing technology. Not just functional, these pods are beautiful too. The design incorporates elements of the Fibonacci Curve and Golden Ratio topped of with an iconic circular window, making them

instantly recognisable.

Created in Bonyrigg, just outside of Edinburgh, the eco-friendly pods are perfect for any climate and will enhance any setting they are put in.

Over the past two years, Armadilla have seen rapid growth in their company with sales increasing from £550,000 to £2 million, representing an increase of almost 300%.

During this time they have also added to the number of employees from 12 to 38.

Founded in 2010 by Archie and Ross

Hunter, Armadilla has attracted clients from not just across the UK, but overseas as well. Having sold the eco-friendly pods to businesses throughout the UK, the company has since worked with hotel chains in the Middle East, Australia and America.

Sales representatives are also present in Chile and Dubai.

Originally based in Roswell, the company moved to a 25,000 square foot site in Bonyrigg in 2018 to accommodate growth. A necessary move, as the company estimates that profits will rise to £4 million over the next 18 months. On top of this, Armadilla will be creating ten new jobs, bringing the new total to 48.

Armadilla have been able to capitalise on the growing need for luxurious glamping pods by attracting big name clients from across the globe. The latest of these clients is Jason Vale the Juice Master. One of Vale's health retreats in California ordered a number of pods from Armadilla.

Hobbit Hole Wins Glamping Award The 2019 Campsites.co.uk awards saw Suffolk win big, with three sites from the area taking home awards.

Kings Forest Caravan Park won "Best Campsites for Couples in the East of England", Cakes and Ale Holiday Park won "Best Family Campsite in the East of England" and top of the lot was West Stow Pods who won the award for " Best Glamping Site in the East of England".

West Stow Pods can be found on the outskirts of Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. Surrounded by forest that helped provide inspiration for J M Barrie's "Peter Pan", the site truly feels like a magical place.

Accommodation comes in the form of four fully selfcontained Megapods, two lodges, and Pod Hollow, an incredible recreation of the hobbit holes featured in Lord of the Rings.

Pod Hollow is described as "a halfling-inspired subterranean dwelling" and is truly a sight to behold. Built into the side of a grassy knoll, Pod Hollow contains two double bedrooms, each of which features a King-sized bed. Next up, there's a sitting room with sofa, fireplace and a digital TV with DVD player.

The shower room comes equipped with a modern shower, basin and WC. The fully-fitted kitchen includes a dishwasher, integrated oven and wine rack. Heating and lighting are present throughout Pod Hollow, and there are many electrical outlets to choose from. And to top it all off, free Wifi.

Pod Hollow was created in six months by a local carpenter with help from two members of staff from the nearby West Stow Anglo Saxon Village who are members of the Tolkien Society.

Care was taken to make sure the hobbit hole was faithful to both the books and films Rates for Pod Hollow are £150 per night during the low season and £250 per night in high season with a two night minimum stay.

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CAMPSITES.CO.UK 2019 AWARD WINNERS A number of UK glamping sites have been honoured in the recent 2019 Campsites.co.uk awards.

The camping and glamping awards were created to celebrate the best that the UK has to offer in camping, glamping and touring sites. The awards seek to focus best sites in their respective category (glamping, caravan parks and holiday parks), with other awards for areas such as "Most Unique Site" and the "Greener Site Award".

Fledgling sites also gained some well deserved recognition with the "Best Newcomer Award", and a focus on sites for families, couples, and even dogs.

The top spot goes to the national winner of each of these awards, but

there are also regional winners too, covering: Scotland, Wales, South East, East of England, West Midlands, East Midlands, North West, and North East. Then The 2019 Campsites.co.uk Award winners include: n Popular Choice award (Hendra Holiday Park, Cornwall) n Best Glamping Site award (Shepherds Hut Retreat, Somerset) n Top Dog award (Polmanter Touring Park, Cornwall) n Most Unique Site award (The Private Hill, Yorkshire) n Best Couples Site (Greendale Farm Caravan and Camping, Rutland)

n Best Family Campsite (Umberslade Adventure, Warwickshire) n Greener Site award (Wild Boar Wood Campsite, Sussex) n Best Newcomer award (Hobby Farm, Dorset) n Best Caravan Park (Grooby's Pit, Lincolnshire) n Best Holiday Park (Cofton Holidays, Devon) Martin Smith, founder of Campsites.co.uk said, "Every one of our winners has brought their best to the table this year and they deserve every success that comes their way."

the site was used as a training ground for the infamous Dambusters and since then has been used for target practice by a number of military aircrafts and helicopters. In 2010 it was closed and has now become home to some of the quirkiest accommodation in the UK.

Military Aircraft Glamping One of the most unique glamping sites ever created is about to get even more unique.

RAF Wainfleet, located in Friskney lincolnshire, already boasts some of the quirkiest accommodation around. An ex RAF control tower fully converted into luxury accommodation, a number of bunkers, and a converted Lynx Helicopter.

The site itself, RAF Wainfleet, was a weapons range that dates back to around 1890. During the second world war,

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Located in a registered nature reserve, the tower was the first accommodation available boasting stunning views in every direction and a holiday experience like no other. Since then the bunker accommodation has been added, and the 2 person Helipod became available to rent in the Summer of 2018.

The most recent addition to the site however, tops them all. Will Roughton, 41 year old farmer and owner of the site, has recently purchased an ex45 Squadron aircraft with plans to convert it into accommodation for 4 people.

A great addition to the site, the military aircraft cost a hefty ÂŁ25,000 with Roughton planning to spend a further ÂŁ25,000 to complete its conversion into accommodation.

The front of the plane will feature a double bedroom, leading to a dining and sitting room located in the center of the plane, and two fold-down single bunks in the tail.

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WINDERMERE HOTEL STORRS HALL LAUNCHES NEW LUXURY CABINS FOLLOWING £1M INVESTMENT Storrs Hall, the luxury four-star hotel on the shores of Lake Windermere, is now taking bookings for its new wood view and lake view cabins following a £1m investment programme.

Sitting in an area of woodland adjacent to the main hotel, the Georgian manor house previously closed its nine woodland self-catering lodges in January 2019 and has spent the last year transforming the space into six luxurious guest rooms, which offer a unique combination of uncompromised luxury and elevated views over Lake Windermere and the grounds at Storrs Hall.

Opting for the term ‘cabins’ to reflect the relaxed nature of the spaces, which are detached from the hotel property.

They’re designed to allow the stunning natural surroundings to take centre stage, featuring large windows to provide a light and airy atmosphere to supplement the spectacular views, while sliding doors enable guests to embrace the tranquility of the encompassing woodland.

Beautiful hardwood floors, super king size beds and soft furnishings in neutral fabrics effortlessly create a relaxing atmosphere, whilst lakeland slate terraces with cedar wood Japanese Bathing Tubs provide the perfect place to unwind and soak up the location’s serene ambience whilst watching the sunset over Lake Windermere.

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With an investment of more than £1m, no expense has been spared in delivering a flawless luxury experience for guests seeking an idyllically romantic Lake District escape.

Two cabins have also been specifically designed with mobility access in mind, with widened doorways and showers adapted to accommodate wheelchair users, with floorspace ranging from 56.95 to 65.70 square metres.

Guests who love the water will also be able to make the most of having Lake Windermere, the largest natural lake in England, right on their doorstep by booking a private cruise from the hotel’s jetty. Or, if they have their own craft, they will be welcome to moor at Storrs Hall throughout their stay.

Andrew Nicholson, General Manager at Storrs Hall, said: “The guest experience is of paramount importance to us at Storrs Hall, and we are continuously looking for new ways to deliver a memorable experience for our guests. The transformation of our woodland cabins has been incredibly exciting to watch and we look forward to welcoming guests in the near future”.

To celebrate the completion of the lodges, Storrs Hall is currently offering overnight stays from £350 per night.

Price based on 2 people sharing a room with breakfast included, subject to availability.

ADVERTORIAL

ARE YOUR STOVES AND CAMP FIRES READY FOR THE SEASON? Whilst we are still in the midst of winter, thoughts will now be turning to the new season. Here is a brief check list on all things ‘Wood-burning’ might be helpful!

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Make sure all your wood-burning stoves have been fully serviced by a HETAS registered installer/fitter. This will include checking the seals and glass and needs to include sweeping the flue pipe too.

Where relevant, check your smoke detector and carbon monoxide monitors are fully functioning.

Do you have the correct fire extinguishers etc in place and do they need their annual inspection?

Are your outdoor fires, firepits etc all cleaned and ready to go? Do they need any repair.

Check your firewood, kindling and Flamers natural firelighters stocks.

Have you got the Starter Kits for your

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fire lighting welcome pack?

Have you made a plan of your likely firewood requirements for the season.

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When you review your firewood stocks, look at what space you have and consider whether perhaps you can buy in larger quantities to help reduce costs.

In many circumstances there can be a significant saving in buying in larger quantities.

Also, give some consideration as to how you can reduce plastic, but at the same time, it needs to be practical. You could buy firewood in bulk bags but then you have the hassle of having to decant into standard size units for sale to campers and then the volume can vary and you quickly lose cost control and end up losing money and wasting valuable time.

Perhaps if plastic is fully recyclable and

made using recycled material, this is actually not too bad. It is of course always a balance.

Most of all, remember that, allowing fires on your site will be a big selling point to your potential customers and may just mean they come to you, rather than your nearby campsite. Also, remember that there is good extra revenue to be made from selling firewood to your captive audience and you need to make sure that they only use kiln dried logs, and not wet logs that damage your stove, or smoke out neighbours.

If you haven’t tried kiln dried before, don’t forget you can order a Free sample pack to try For further information contact Hayley on 01981 251796 or email hchamberlain@certainlywood.co.uk

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NEWS

THE COAL BURNED SPOON SANCTUARY UPDATE Last fall, the Coal Burned Spoon Sanctuary project was announced after Karen and John Bolduc closed on 470 acres of property next to Mt. Abram. Described on their website as, “a food-focused, backcountry, ecoglamping immersion experience, with treehouse and cabin accommodations”, the Coal Burned Spoon Sanctuary will be located amid 500 acres of pristine wilderness in western Maine, USA. Having searched for more than a year to find the perfect location for their site, Karen and John Bolduc ultimately decided upon Greenwood, in Maine.

Speaking at the Greenwood planning board meeting in early January, the couple outlined their vision of what the site will be and provided a breakdown of their plans over the course of the next year.

Coming Soon to Under Canvas

Inspired by the African safari experience, Under Canvas set out to bring the idea to America creating glamping sites full of luxurious safari-style canvas tents in the beautiful surroundings of America’s National Parks.

Alongside pop-up events. Under Canvas already boast an impressive number of sites. Currently the company has seven sites located near the Moab, Zion, Great

The Bolduc’s have divided the plan into four, three month, quarters to be carried out over the next year. The first two quarters of 2020 will be spent securing the funding necessary for such a large project, along with the permits needed to carry the work out. On top of this, they will be looking for the builders and other experts needed to construct the site.

Once this has been achieved, the third and fourth quarters will be spent hiring the employees needed to run the site once constructed. The project, once completed, will create four to six full-time jobs and over twenty project-based jobs.

Construction will also begin in the third and fourth quarter.

2021, with the Sanctuary itself currently projected to open in Spring 2021.

Karen and John Bolduc plan to have finished phase one of their project, which is to build the first dozen units by the end of the first quarter of

Making the most of their surroundings, the couple plan to serve meal kits, which will consist of all Maine grown food and produce.

Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks.

Under Canvas Sonoma offers breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay and is located on a secluded 140 acres of rolling hills in the Sonoma Valley.

The area is famous for its wineries, the site providing access to countless worldclass wineries and tasting rooms.

Under Canvas are not content with the success they’ve witnessed so far and are adding a total of 5 new sites to their roster.

Under Canvas Acadia will provide guests with stunning views of both the Maine Coastline and Acadia National Park. The site will be Under Canvas’ first East-Coast location and will provide the perfect location to explore New England. Set on 100 acres of waterfront land the site will feature more than 1200 feet of coastline and is a short 35-minute drive to the Acadia National Park.

Under Canvas Yosemite is located on 85 acres of beautiful forested land and is a mere 20 minutes from the entrance of Yosemite National Park. The site will feature a main lobby tent providing café style dining and beautiful lounge areas alongside the beautifully furnished safaristyle canvas tents; all easily accessible from the main highway.

Under Canvas Catalina Island is the company’s first island location and is accessible only by ferry or helicopter.

Providing an exclusive beach-front experience, Under Canvas Catalina Island is set amongst 25 acres of beach along the waters of Catalina and located between Avalon and Two Harbors.

Under Canvas Joshua Tree is set on 640 acres of magical desert landscape, and just 15 minutes from the entrance of Joshua Tree National Park. During the daylight hours, the site will feature incredible views of the surrounding mountains and distinct plant-life including the park’s namesake, Joshua trees. At night, the site offers incredible stargazing opportunities, unhampered by the light pollution of towns and cities.

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GETAWAY: THE GREAT ESCAPE In the summer of 2015, Harvard graduate Jon Staff and his college buddy Pete Davis launched Getaway.

Their idea was to build tiny houses, place them in nature and rent them by the night to stressed-out folks looking to escape and rejuvenate.

After some late-night idea sessions, a few months of sketching with Harvard Graduate School of Design students, a few weeks of carpentry (with Jon’s dad’s help), and a harrowing drive with the first tiny house up I-93 North, the first Boston Getaway house, the Ovida, arrived in southern New Hampshire.

The idea of using tiny houses to help folks escape the digital grind and get back into nature resonated. Almost immediately, months of nights at the Ovida were sold out. In April 2016, after six months of widespread press coverage, hundreds of emails from enthusiastic fans and diverse investor support, Getaway began its expansion to a second city: New York.

When the houses filled up throughout 2016 – in the cold and the heat, on weekends and on weekdays – Getaway was able to grow even more, adding more houses to each site before the end of the year. In February 2017, Getaway closed a $15 million funding round with L Catterton, an investment that will be put to use expanding Getaway to more cities and adding more cabins to current cities.

“We start by finding quiet, serene land within two hours of major cities and thoughtfully place a collection of cabins throughout. Guests can expect to see other cabins on their Getaway escape, but will enjoy the privacy of their own patch of land,” says Jon. The modern, functionally sleek tiny cabins furnish necessities—queen-sized memory foam beds, kitchenette with cooking essentials, bathroom, outdoor firepit, picnic table, and basic supplies to enhance the experience, from s’mores to firewood. With the idea of escaping to and rejuvenating in nature, oversized windows flood the cabin with sunlight and nature views, while calming tones and natural materials create unity between indoors and out.

Getaway also supplies guests with a picnic table and Adirondack chairs in

John Staff and Pete Davis

addition to an outdoor campfire grate with ability to purchase firewood. Classic books, playing cards, and a guide to analogue activities such as stargazing and knot-tying assist guests in staying disconnected, yet engaged. Getaway’s inclusive nature allows guests to arrive with no more than a change of clothes, if they choose, for a truly worry-free escape.

All Getaway cabins offer built-in electrical outlets, heater, air conditioning, and fan, as well as a bathroom with a toilet, shower, hot water, biodegradable shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, and fresh towels. The large picture window overlooking the rustic scenery, allows guests to wake up to the sunrise or doze off while watching the stars. The Eastern White Pine used throughout, stained a natural colour, creates a seamless transition from outside to in, centred on the calming aesthetic of nature.

Getaway offers 24/7 text, call, or inperson service for any additional replacements, boasting diligence in guest care and personalized attention—while guests fully commit to detaching, Getaway’s staff fully commits to guests’ needs.

“We seek to make it easy for people find balance, leisure and quiet in our

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increasingly busy lives. Our experiences are designed for you to take a trip without making any plans. In the coming years, Getaway aims to go deeper and broader: we will be building more houses so that more people can “Getaway in an instant,” and expanding to more stressedout cities across America,” adds Jon. Getaway offers four-person and twoperson cabins and are also dog friendly (for a small extra fee).

Founders Jon Staff and Pete Davis are pioneering Getaway as a sustainability minded wellness concept first and foremost, and a travel destination second.

Founded on the premise of secluded tiny cabins meant to disconnect guests from technology, work, and the stresses of life, Getaway offers an escape to nature allowing guests to find peace of mind and personal growth in a minimalist, authentic experience of rediscovery.

During this escape—a removed, yet accessible two-hour drive from major cities—guests can enjoy shared connections, embrace their paths, and explore the wonder that lies in the surrounding rustic landscape, while reaping the benefits of serenity beyond technology.

Getaway offers simple escapes to tiny cabins nestled in nature for stressed out folks where they can recharge and disconnect with prices starting at $125 a night, providing an instant getaway from the daily hustle. Guests book online at www.getaway.house and receive a confirmation of dates and the address.

Another email is sent with pertinent information one week out. As part of the ritual, the precise name and location of the cabin comes as day-of information via text and email, along with the lock code.

“Getaway is more than the beautiful tiny house nestled in the woods—it’s about

disconnecting and living in the present moment. It’s about learning to live without your cell phone (pack it away in our phone lockboxes) and rediscovering the art of a good conversation,” says Jon. “It’s about tuning out the endless noise of society today and listening to the great outdoors. Our mission is to offer an experience worth coming straight back to: deep and simple enough to help you find yourself, revel in nature, and rekindle the connections most important to you. We’ll provide all the basics; the rest is up to you!”

Getaway’s recharging atmosphere currently welcomes guests in three locations—Boston, Washington DC, and New York, with an upcoming expansion to Los Angeles and other areas on both East and West Coasts—although the mystery of the exact Getaway site location sparks spontaneity, allowing travellers to feel relief from vacationplanning stress.

The largest of the Outposts, the Bostonarea site boasts 43 cabins, with 31 two-person and 12 four-person cabins.

New York City The New York Outpost features 12 cabins. Four-person accommodations reserve two of the cabins, while the remaining ten dwellings consist of two-person cabins.

Washington, DC The DC-area Outpost features 34 cabins, with 25 two-person cabins and nine four-person cabins. In Summer 2017, Getaway launched its first pop-up escape, “Getaway at Gateway,” a partnership with the National Parks Service and the National Parks of New York Harbor Conservancy to bring the Getaway experience to the Gateway National Recreation Area at the New York City shoreline.

In line with its mission, Getaway participates in causes such as One Tree Planted, supporting the environment with every booking.

The Data on Vacations, Digital Detoxing, and Nature Vacations: n Overworking is hurting us: 6 in 7 children see their parents bringing their work stress home 75% of kids say a parent is unable to stop working while at home 1 in 3 couples argue over the time needed for work vs. quality time n We are vacationing less: In July 1976, 9 million working Americans took a week off. In July 2014, only 7 million did… despite there being 60 million more Americans working 40 years ago, 80% of workers once took an annual weeklong vacation; now just 56% do 22% of working parents admitted that it had been more than a year since their last family vacation n We are not taking all of our vacation days: They call it America’s Lost Week: The average working American leaves four vacation days per year unused. This means 577 million vacation days are left unused each year Only 39% of Americans, compared to 63% of French respondents, used all of their vacation time 59% of Millennials reported feeling a sense of shame for taking or planning a vacation n Policy does not help: The U.S. is the only advanced economy with no national vacation policy

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PRODUCTNEWS

GLAMPSITES OFFERS MARKETING SUPPORT Online searches for glamping in the UK reveals a 20% growth year on year since 2018, with the industry bolstered by political situations like Brexit - the economic circumstances as a result, and a shift in consumer motivation to reduce their carbon footprint with a desire to ‘get back to nature’.

Gifting experiences to others, has become a key driver and trend within the market. Hot tubs, petfriendly accommodation, champagne hampers are all ways in which consumers are demanding more from their glamping experiences and ways new and existing site owners could be left out of being booked ahead of their competition. Glamping has started to create its sphere in the holiday market with more choice of sites and accommodation than ever before, meaning establishing and promoting your unique selling

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point (USP) whether you are a new or existing site, has never been more important.

Standing out from the crowd calls for you to shout your USP from the treetops, ensuring that when consumers are searching for their next unique experience your glamping site can be found. But, as with all business promotional efforts, this can be very timeconsuming. Writing website blogs, creating social media content, managing ad campaigns, email marketing... it's exhausting, and trying to hit the desks of travel journalists is simply unachievable on your own. So, how do you promote your accommodation to a large market of glamping consumers and get chosen ahead of your competitors?

Glampsites.com gives you the ideal marketing platform to do just that.

It promotes your glampsite

through email, social channels, paid ads and works directly with prominent UK newspapers and magazines to get you media coverage. It amplifies your marketing efforts, exposing your glamping site to a market of targeted customers.

Unlike many Online Travel Agents (OTAs) like Booking.com and Expedia, Glampsites.com lists only glamping accommodation, so the traffic it attracts is a concentrated audience who are specifically looking for glamping experiences.

As an exclusively focussed glamping website, it promotes the USP of your site and provides you with the peace of mind that your site is being found for the right things, at the right time, by the right customers. The stage is set for your site to shine on and boost bookings and business.

Glampsites.com

Dyreparken, Norway

PRODUCTNEWS

GLAMPING INSPIRATION FROM OUTSTANDING We take a look at some of the most versatile glamping projects from Outstanding, the safari tent supplier.

Authentic and wild glamping Safari tents two metres above the ground, with the most beautiful view over the savannah. That’s how guests can relax in the spacious safari tents at Knuthenborg safari park in Denmark. Knuthenborg Camp is situated right next to the savannah where rhinos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, antelopes and ostriches live.

More raised safari tents can be found in Norway, where zoo and amusement park Dyreparken offers a wide range of unique stays. Their guests can choose from 32 unique Outstanding tents, such as the two-person Safari tent XS and the luxurylooking Safari Cottage. The showpiece of the Safaricamp can be found right at the waterfront where several spacious safari tents stand on large poles, overlooking the Norwegian lake and the amusement park.

glamping accommodation with glass fronts.

A safari tent for every event The demand for glamping is not only on the rise at campgrounds and recreation parks. Festivals are now also cleverly playing into the desire for memorymaking experiences and the glamping trend. A number of major (international) festivals have already set a course by offering a range of different types of accommodation. Including the unique Outstanding safari tent XS. Customers like Rechargers, specialist in luxury accommodation rentals, frequently use the smallest safari tent XS for several big festivals and weddings.

A night in the trees is a night to remember Spend a night in the trees, in the very heart of the Wildlife Park in the Domain of the Caves of Han in the Ardennes.

Several safari tents on platforms are suspended between trees. Equipped with

a king size mattress and two comfortable chairs on the terrace, guest can enjoy their very own private nature show with the red deer, fallow deer, aurochs, Przewalski horses or mouflon rollicking in the forest.

A safari tent of 19 metres long At Rutherhof in Germany, Outstanding has built its longest ever safari tent. The roof is a whopping 19 meters long! Inside this safari tent visitors can play Poolball, which is a combination of pool billiards and soccer.

And talking about team-building activities. At BuitenOverleg in the Netherlands, companies can hire their own spacious Outstanding Lodge, right at the waterfront. This Glamping lodge is over 40 m2 and can be used for meetings or presentations for groups up to 30 people. www.outstandingtent.co.uk

Rutherhof, Germany

Glamping tents at the heart of Peru’s Sacred Valley At Las Qolqas Eco Resort in Peru, the luxury tented resort is situated in Ollantaytambo, at the heart of Peru's Sacred Valley, halfway between Cusco and Machu Picchu. Surrounded by countless magical archaeological sites, Andean villages, rivers, waterfalls, snowcapped mountains and lakes. Visitors can choose between several forms of

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PRODUCTNEWS BOND can support their clients wishing to create something unique.

Luxury seems to be the key for most clients, whether for the interior finish and facilities offered within one of their Luxury Safari Tents or perhaps designing a structure to be used as a communal social space.

The overall finish has got to be high quality, Instagram-worthy and above all offer a strong and individual visualidentity giving their clients an online presence that will really work for them. All structures are designed and made at their UK factory in Gloucestershire.

GO BESPOKE WITH BOND AND STAND OUT Bespoke is the focus for BOND and many of their clients. With the Glamping industry going from strength to strength, this now means that each glamping location has got to work much harder to stand out.

BOND have been designing bespoke structures for the outdoor hospitality industry for over 30 years, from traditional marquees to custom structures for all manner of end uses,

www.bondfabrications.co.uk

Big news from Naked Flame!

Naked Flame Eco-Tubs Ltd has recently announced the first retro-fit liner system available for their popular LuvTub model.

Following recent guidance updates from HSE regarding the use of Wood-fired Hot Tubs in a business environment, many owners have been concerned about costs involved to change their fleet of solid wood tubs to plastic or fibreglass lined models.

This system allows users to fit the liner kit to their original tub easily without the need for changing the tub itself. Owner Gareth Edwards explained, “We have worked extremely hard over the winter season to design this kit to enable our owners to update their original tubs to a liner model. This will save thousands of pounds compared to replacing the whole package and keeps the aesthetics of the natural look owners are attracted to. It really is the best of both worlds for a fraction of the price. This also gives our customers the confidence to add further units, already fitted with this system, to

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their current LuvTub models and keep uniformity on their site.”

Not only can this system be fitted easily, it will also lower the overall water capacity from 900 litres to 800 litres due to the new bench style seats but will also increase heat up times to less than 1 hour.

Kits can be supplied in 4 different colours (white, grey, blue & black) and include the new seating layout as well as a beautiful one-piece decorative edge to hide the top edge of the liner. The original lid supplied with the tub will still fit the new design.

The full kit including colour of choice, seats and decorative edge are priced at £950 + vat. www.nakedtubs.com

PRODUCTNEWS TRUDOMES PROVIDES PERFECT SOLUTION FOR GAYTON FARM

Set in village of Horningsea on the edge of Cambridge and home to the Belstead Herd of Lincoln Red Cattle is the beautiful Gayton Farm – a working farm that is also a luxury camping site.

Offering far-reaching views of open countryside, it’s the perfect place to relax and let your worries drift away with the setting sun.

Luxury is the focus of this campsite, as well a touch of the unusual. Gayton Farm wanted a simple solution to give their guests comfort and space in the heart of their site and having already set up a gypsy caravan as unique glamping accommodation, another eye-catching and quirky solution was the order of the day.

Owners Carolyn and Rob know all too well how important provenance is to their customers and so working with another British supplier for their newest glamping project was a no-brainer.

Sometimes the best solutions are the simplest; one of Trudomes’ classic glamping domes was the ideal blank canvas for Gayton Farm to offer guests a luxurious selfcontained glamping experience. Starting with the classic dome, Gayton Farm then went all out with the accessories; from premium insulation panels to a wood stove, en-suite bathroom and even a solid front door, there was nothing basic about the dome once they’d finished with it! trudomes.com

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LANDSCAPING

WINTERY VIEWS - WHY ASSESSING THEM NOW CAN SAVE YOU MONEY If you're thinking of diversifying into the glamping sector, and you live in a stunning spot, now is the key time to be considering your winter views.

Many Local Authorities are now insisting on a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment in order to assess the potential effects of introducing glamping units. This is particularly the case in beautiful and unsettled landscapes such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and National Parks (NPs).

What is a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment and why is it important?

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments or Appraisals aid the local planning authorities in conserving and enhancing the countryside, ensuring that development is well designed and thought through and in turn, ensures that people keep visiting the countryside because of its special qualities.

An assessment is carried out by a Landscape Architect to assess the potential effects of development and suggests ways in which effects can be minimised by mitigation techniques such as siting and layout, planting and material choices.

These assessments start by a thorough examination of the baseline - what is there from a landscape perspective and what are the key views. What is special about the landscape and which parts have perhaps become degraded.

In order to gain an understanding as to how sensitive (and vulnerable to change your landscape might be) it is helpful to understand what high quality is. As described above AONBs and NPs are classed as highly sensitive landscapes and Local Authorities may have their own classifications too such as Areas of Great Landscape Value. Sites that are viewable from these landscapes are also to be treated carefully. Other landscape characteristics to be considered might include ridge and furrow, estate parkland, traditional field patterns and boundaries such as such as drystone walls. If there are many features on your site such as these described it is likely your landscape would be determined as good quality and therefore a sensitive approach to development will be required.

Key viewpoints highlighted on Ordnance Survey maps, views from protected landscapes and views from National Trails will all be considered as highly

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LANDSCAPING sensitive. Other non-promoted Public Rights of Way will be considered as well as Open Access land or Golf Courses.

Areas that are not open to the public, such as fields, that are home to sheep, cattle or cows are not considered.

So why is winter so Important?

The key time to undertake a photographic survey is when the trees are not in leaf, the difference between winter and summer views can be remarkable.

What might seem like a highly secluded spot in the summer months can feel very exposed in winter. If winter impact has not been assessed at the outset the Local Planning Authority may implement a planning condition to say that glamping domes and associated decking are removed in the winter months, this not only reduces your season but is also a huge upheaval.

An assessment can be done in the summer months, but a winter survey can produce a more robust understanding of views in winter time.

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So how can you mitigate potential effects?

Siting the development is one of the most important factors. Armed with a winter photographic survey you can site glamping units in places where there are minimal views, usually in places where they are protected by landform or existing mature vegetation. Furthermore, you can consider the use of naturalistic landform to further screen or sink units into the ground and provide green roofs. The Local Planning Authority will be more amenable to an application which has a well thought out layout than that which units have been scattered across site with little thought.

Enhancing existing boundaries and introducing planting which assimilates into the character of the landscape is also crucial - we are not talking 10ft conifers here, unless the existing character of the landscape is indeed bands of conifer.

Mixed species tree belts, particularly those that connect to adjacent woodlands can not only screen views but can provide shade and refuge for guests and bring wildlife into the grounds.

From a landscape character perspective reintroducing lost elements of the landscape is favourable such as traditional hedge laying, historic field row pattern, estate fencing and drystone walling. Material choices should not be reflective and should instead be natural and assimilate into the colour palette of the landscape.

A considered masterplan approach to siting development in the landscape can not only provide an inspiring and inviting landscape experience but can save you money by ticking the right boxes with the Local Planning Authority and establishing the right layout from the start.

To find out more: Reed Studio provide Landscape and Visual Appraisals across the country and will be happy to advise on what will be required in your locality. www.reedstudio.co.uk; contactus@reedstudio.co.uk

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WATER MANAGEMENT

WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT

by William Rusbridge

Perhaps the least glamorous aspect of glamping, wastewater management is nevertheless integral to the success of any site.

There are two main types of wastewater we produce and which we need to manage. Greywater comes from showers, washing machines, and sinks, which may contain particles but are not dangerous.

Greywater can be recycled and in new builds greywater recycling should always be considered as it saves money and reduces the strain on the water supply network.

Blackwater comes from toilets and dishwashers and contains food particles and human waste, considered to be harmful to humans. This means that it cannot be directly released to soil or watercourses.

When it comes to wastewater management there are a number of different options to go with. First, you have to decide whether you will be ongrid or off-grid. This means whether or not you will be connected to mains drainage.

There are pros and cons to each of these options. Being connected to mains drainage means that, largely, everything will be taken care of for you. However, connecting a mains drainage line can sometimes require a lot of landscaping and on top of this, can become expensive.

Off-grid waste management can often work out cheaper and is a great option if your site cannot be connected to mains drainage due to location difficulties. There

are also a number of off-grid options available such as septic tanks, cesspools, sewage treatment plant systems, and simple composting toilets.

Cesspools should be avoided whenever possible and have been banned in Scotland due to the fact that they are expensive and a very inefficient way to manage off-grid waste. They are simply large tanks in the ground that have to be routinely emptied by waste management companies.

Septic tank systems are a definite step up and a good choice for any site that can house them. They are large underground tanks that separate solids from liquids in the first chamber, leaving the liquids to move to the second chamber and out to a drainage field or reed bed which filters the water before it drains through to the groundwater. They are relatively cheap and require no electricity, but they do need to be routinely emptied by a waste management company. It is also important to remember that septic tanks require groundwork and a drainage field.

Finding a site that meets the Environmental Agency (EA) mandatory soakaway tests can sometimes prove difficult if not impossible.

Sewage treatment plants are the best option as they produce fully treated effluent, which can then be discharged to a watercourse, such as a river or stream, or to ground through a drainage field. They

take up a small amount of above-ground space but are mostly situated underground. Sewage treatment plants require groundworks along with electricity and can be expensive to buy. They are, however, the most hands-off solution with many requiring just annual services and some even less.

Composting toilets are the easiest and cheapest options to install and use carbonbased material such as sawdust to assist in the composting process and reduce odour.

Traditional composting toilets are simply large pits with a hut built above them, however there are a number of specifically designed composting toilets available that are designed to look more like flushing toilets but require emptying.

Roddy Hamilton from Thrussendale Farm in North Yorkshire was asked about the challenges encountered when dealing with wastewater and drainage, and said, “We have a glamping business / property in the middle of our farm and were not allowed to discharge any waste water until completely processed.”

Talking about how they resolved the challenge, Hamilton said, “Through the installation of a very effective standalone sewerage treatment plant”. Would they have done anything differently if they had started with the knowledge they now have?

“Nothing - it is our responsibility as farmers to ensure that we protect the environment in which we are privileged to live.”

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WATER MANAGEMENT suitable place for a shower block is where a yurt has been set up, decking and all.

Another positive for Cathey Herman and Copperhead Retreat is that no planning permission is needed in rural Pennsylvania.

Beth Augusta Menczer, from Behr Art B&B in Glenwood, New Mexico, told the IGB team about her experience with wastewater management demonstrating that no matter how much you plan, there are some issues that you’ll never see coming, and that these issues sometimes require imaginative solutions.

When asked about the challenges Behr Art B&B faced with wastewater management and drainage, Augusta Menczer said, “The bamboo has gone wild with all the extra water and the cockroaches have multiplied.”

When asked about the landscaping required for the project, Hamilton replied, “The sewerage treatment plant is buried underground with additional landscaping to hide it from view”. Asked about whether planning permission was dependent on having a wastewater and drainage management plan and how difficult was it to create one, Hamilton said, “Yes and not difficult at all.”

I now the Latin name of grass. The eco report wrote themselves a job to carry out fingertip searches for animals on a former landfill site.”

Planning for wastewater solutions and the landscaping work that often comes with it can be a complex and time-consuming task. It can also end up being very expensive as Ian Williams from Constable Park in Suffolk unfortunately found out.

Cathy Herman, who owns the glamping site Copperhead Retreat in Pennsylvania, America, has had an easier time of it when it comes to wastewater management. The site had not specific challenges with waste water as it installed a septic system which works well. However, Herman has some great advice when it comes to landscaping. “We built to the site instead of trying to force the land to our will.” It is all too tempting when setting up a glamping site to let your heart do most of the thinking. Once the perfect spot has been found, it is difficult not to visualise what the site will look like once finished, assigning each of the planned accommodation units to certain areas.

Asked about the challenges faced when dealing with wastewater and drainage on site, Williams said, “We had to connect to mains as there is a law stating you have to if possible. This is a nice earner for water companies as we had to pay the extra £40,000 compared to on-site water treatment,” On top of this, Constable Park had to pay a further £5,000 for a landscape architect and another £3,000 for an eco statement.

“This consisted of 105 pages of drivel, but

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There was one positive for Constable Park however, and it was that planning permission was not dependent on having a wastewater and drainage management plan.

Plans can be thrown into disarray though when it becomes clear that the only

Asked about the resolution of these issues, Augusta Menczer replied, “I harvest the bamboo and feed the leaves to the horses and use the bamboo on construction projects. I encouraged the chickens to gather close to the drainage and they developed an appetite for the bugs. I also use a combination of powdered sugar and borax to kill the cockroaches. I extended and moved the pipes to water other areas and eliminated any standing water.”

The landscaping required for this project consisted of encouraging more growth to increase privacy for guests.

Once again, there were no plans or permits required to carry this work out.

Wastewater management may not be the most exciting part about planning a glamping site, but it is a particularly complex issue that has differing regulations dependant on where you live. Mistakes made when planning and installing your wastewater management system can become incredibly expensive and time-consuming. It is for that reason that it is always advisable to seek out answers with the local Building Regulations and Environment Agency to make sure that you have the necessary information to move forward with your glamping site. After all, wherever waste is concerned, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

WATER MANAGEMENT

What are the main considerations for Glamping sites wanting to operate ensuite facilities?

The main consideration for site owners to consider is primarily the cost benefit. If a Glamping pod has individual en-suite facilities, this can significantly increase the charge made for an overnight stay – in some cases more than doubling the fee.

Any glamping site owner should cost out the likely additional income from this and compare it to the cost of any drainage work involved. Costs will depend on how far the pods are from the main drainage system and the most efficient method of draining away the waste.

ASK THE EXPERT: ANN BOARDMAN, SANIFLO LTD. Ann Boardman, Head of Marketing and Product Management at Saniflo Ltd, discusses the options for the removal of waste water from Glamping sites.

Septic tanks, holding tanks and water treatment plants are all options and consideration will need to be given to the quantity and size of the pods to determine the size and capacity of the solution.

When gravity drainage isn’t available to discharge effluent waste it is likely that a pumping system will be required that can push waste water horizontally over a relatively long distance or uphill. External lifting stations, such as the Sanifos from Saniflo, can pump directly to mains drains that are in the vicinity or can equally pump to any other holding solution. This type of pump will be triggered automatically to pump away once a certain level of waste has been reached.

When should you start to consider your water management?

For all new Glampsites a Drainage Plan for the safe and correct disposal of waste is a legal requirement as part of the planning process. So water management is therefore considered early on in the planning process and prior to any site works.

For existing sites that are looking to extend – or for sites looking to diversify into the glamping market – it is equally important to consider water management at the earliest outset. Planning the layout of glamping pods properly ensures that pipework is minimised – as well as disruption on site. All excavation work for external lifting stations should be completed prior to any pods being put in place so that installation and connection is straightforward.

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WATER MANAGEMENT If you have to put in a septic tank style system - what are the practicalities of emptying etc?

A septic tank will need to be regularly emptied and site owners need to ensure that there is good vehicular access with a good solid base for the tanker to park on.

Choosing a time frame that has the least impact on guests is also recommended due to the nature of the task and the possibility of the stench of effluent.

Site owners that can install a lifting station(s) that empty automatically into the main sewer once connected is possibly the simplest, least hassle solution as, once installed, it is just a case of keeping the units maintained and serviced. The Sanifos

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Lifting Stations have ‘Smart’ meters that monitor the unit for any maintenance requirements or unusual site situations giving early warning of any issue. In this case there is no need for emptying by an external contractor.

What can operators do about other types of drainage around their accommodation coming from rainfall or standing water?

There are various soak-away options to think about but it is always worth having a small submersible pump or puddle-sucking pump on site somewhere to deal with the fluctuations of the British weather or for emergencies!

What solutions can glamping sites consider when it comes to providing hot water for showers or baths?

A mains water supply is the main method of getting water supply to a glamping pod, although there are off-grid glampsites that manage water provision via a private water supply or water tanks. Showers can be electric, powered by solar or gas heated boilers. Once the hot water is available to a pod the Kinedo self-contained shower cubicles are the perfect option for the glamping market. With glass internal and external panels and an integrated tray they are particularly suitable for wooden framed structures as wood warp and movement has no detrimental effect on the cubicles. There are models that are supplied complete with shower heads and valves and there are models that are supplied without; so the owner can make the choice. Simple, quick and easy to install Kinedo cubicles are specified by many manufacturers in the sector thanks to their great looks, quality design and practicality for cleaning and maintenance.

DUTCH MARKET REPORT

INTERVIEW WITH IVO VAN DER VILS

Ivo van der Vils

OWNER OF LUXETENTEN

By Richard Otten of glamping.nl

At the start of last month’s Vakantiebeurs, which was held in Utrecht, Ivo van der Vils is feeling relaxed.

Thanks to the setting on his stand, with a safari tent, sand on the floor and music in the background it feels as if we are on a holiday. Van der Vlis (50 years old, from Eindhoven) is ready for the Vakdag (B2B event). “It is important to be here in order to speak with our partners and customers,” he says.

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Traditionally, the Vakantiebeurs is an exhibition where consumers can be inspired for their future travels, but also the B2B event (the Vakdag) is becoming more important. This is reason enough for LuxeTenten to make a big presence. Prior to the networking breakfast later that morning, we catch up with each other.

Together with his associate Hans van der Wind, Van der Vlis has been owner of LuxeTenten since May 2019, fulfilling the role of CEO. “In that sense I am somewhat more in the foreground and Hans is somewhat more on the background in building up the company.

We complement each other well.” They took over a healthy company that, moreover, has become a trendsetter in just ten years and is now operating in more than 45 countries with a portfolio consisting of 12 models. Van der Vlis states, “The Glamping sector is a

relatively young market which has huge potential. Not only in Europe, but also worldwide.”

LuxeTenten wants to continue growing and wants to remain a market leader with a focus on the quality and the reliability the company is known for. In addition, he is pleasantly surprised about the company ethos and the market he now participates in. “Our DNA is marvellous. You can feel it with the people working for us. Having fun is at least as important as the work.

Also, the world of tourism is great to work in.”

In order to manage growth, Van der Vlis has aimed for seven building blocks: brand, commerce, operation, design, IT, HR, and finance. “That may sound like a lot, but we do not like to do things by halves,” he says. “The brand needs further weight, so a lot of energy and time will be

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DUTCH MARKET REPORT devoted to marketing. Next to that, the sales department has been expanded and several steps for trade abroad have been taken. In Singapore, we have opened an office and together with our dealer in the United States of America we are expanding the sales network and a distribution centre has been opened as well,” he says.

A salient detail is that LuxeTenten has visited 26 exhibitions and shows worldwide during the last season alone.

Examples include the Glamping Show in Birmingham (UK) and Denver (USA), the SETT in Montpellier, but also the Vakantiebeurs in Utrecht.

Van der Vils is interested in recreating processes so that they can be configured in a better way. “Here, we can really gain a profit, especially when we grow,” says Van der Vils. “With IT you should think in terms of an installation app for instance, which easily allows us to have the construction team take pictures. Finally, we also have steps to take in becoming an even more attractive employer in order to ensure that we continue to attract the strongest candidates.” This way, LuxeTenten wants to be prepared to be for the employees of the future.

Another development Van der Vlis identifies, is the Glamping Rental Model.

LuxeTenten then offers a rental model to the camping owner allowing the owner to continue developments without a high investment. At the moment, this is not offered widely by manufacturers.

These can be let for a longer season. In the future we also might see accommodation with a zero footprint by using solar panels for example. We are working hard on this,” he says.

The picture is clear. LuxeTenten wants to become the number one in this market segment worldwide. However, Van der Vlis states that with growth they should not lose track of the very basis of their existence: the customer. “Whether this customer is an entrepreneur that buys six tents or a large group that suddenly orders 100 tents, to me they are equally important.”

The traditional family vacations where mum and dad with their two children go to Tuscany to stay in a safari tent on a camp site might still be the idea that is often sold, but in the meantime, the sector has become increasingly diverse. From high-end glamping to yoga retreats and from wellness vacations to large groups and festivals: Glamping is no longer a buzzword. The market has left the pioneering phase behind and has a bright future. A future in which LuxeTenten is a worldwide premium brand which is ‘made in Holland’.

In connection with this, Van der Vlis also mentions as examples a few customers he has visited in the Netherlands. "Ter Spegelt is a wonderful example of how Glamping is supposed to be. At the same time, I find it marvellous to see how at Duinrell's they are making great strides to create beautiful spots high in the dunes.

Also, Holiday Park De Pier should not go unmentioned. They will be the first to install our new model the ‘Romanov Residence’, a real world-first,” says Van der Vils.

We conclude with the question of future market trends for the industry.“We notice an increased demand for insulated tents.

Additional information: LuxeTenten has a wide international network consisting of multiple commercial agents, sales offices, and construction teams. They conduct trade from Emmeloord in the Netherlands. For more information about Ivo van der Vlis you can contact Simone Jousma on simone.jousma@luxetenten.com.

Can Bora Lodges in Gerona Photograph by Charlotte van den Berg

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DUTCH MARKET REPORT

HOLIDAY PARK DE PIER

The Romanov Residence

Bordering an area of sand dunes near Bedaf in Brabant lies Holiday Park De Pier. Here, guests have all the time in the world to relax in luxurious surroundings. This holiday destination opened in the 1950's and has seen a lot of improvements since then, and even now it is still developing . Meanwhile, De Pier has grown into a luxurious holiday park with beautiful glamping accommodation and is also the first to install the latest tent by LuxeTenten: The Romanov Residence.

We spoke to Rems Verbossen, the owner of Holiday Park De Pier.

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Rems Verbossen

“WE ARE PROUD OF OUR BACKYARD!” De Pier over the years

Glamping at De Pier

“My great-grandfather started a café at the very location of the present holiday park in 1896. In the middle of the 1950's we parcelled out land for the first time and then we started a nature reserve combined with a camping site.

Lots of chalets and the odd pitch, and very close to each other, as it used to be. But our vision is very different now.

In the first place, we now look at what feels good to us, i.e. what is a natural fit with us. Then we explore which type of guest fits best with that.”

Glamping fits in perfectly with this. Last season De Pier already started installing a few glamping structures on the terrain and during the coming season they will take the next step. The current tents have been placed in a large circle so that people cannot look into each other's tents, but they can see each other. In the middle, there is a large fire bowl where people can gather, everything is illuminated and there is an outdoor

Based on this, Holiday Park De Pier has taken many steps. De Pier, for instance, has reinvested all its profits into the company and reintroduced more flora and fauna onto the land.

Also, substantial sums have been invested in the accommodation on the park. The idea is to bring that outdoors feeling inside, but they also have to be of high quality so that they fit in with the target guest demographic. “The people that come here are people that have a conscious lifestyle and are looking for a relaxing vacation. They are interested in yoga, meditation, retreats and healthy food. That is part of our vision.”

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DUTCH MARKET REPORT kitchen so that people can barbecue together. The Romanov Residence will be situated at the foot of the hill as a kind of king's lodge.

When asked about the experiences of people with the accommodation during the first season, Verbossen says: “We started letting the tents from 15 July onward and soon they were fully booked, but after the holidays every single one of them remained empty to our surprise. In retrospect, we think this was because they were not advertised enough. But all the people that we have welcomed, were enthusiastic and many of them will revisit.”

Five-star glamping with the Romanov Residence Verbossen is very happy to add the Romanov Residence to his range this coming season. ”I think that we have the perfect location for it at the foot of the hill close to the nature reserve.” The Romanov Residence has to fit seamlessly with the target group that Verbossen is aiming for.

Holidaymakers who are looking for luxury but who want to stay amidst nature. The Romanov Residence is not only beautiful to look at, the inside of the accommodation is also very luxurious. The accommodation has two storeys, a luxurious bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen, and three bedrooms.

Also, you can make use of the accommodation's two verandas to enjoy the outdoors until late in the evening.

holiday needs. “I have two daughters. I ask myself - what would I like when I am going on a holiday?” According to Verbossen, nature plays an important role. “If you step outside, you are surrounded by nature, but inside the accommodation, you have a luxurious home.”

Focus on luxurious accommodation in nature

The holiday park of the future

It is important to De Pier to grow into a luxurious holiday park with a focus on nature and sustainability. “This means: a good catering offer accompanied by a lovely playground featuring water and sand play equipment. The landscaping involves playing with nature and maintaining a good relationship with nature at the same time. An example would be a vegetable garden where children can take the ingredients from to make a soup or to build a hut with sticks and to play games outdoors,” adds Verbossen.

The developments on the park are ongoing. “An entirely new foyer and reception will be built, next to that we would also like to work towards creating a hotel-like experience. For instance, including things as, serving breakfast in these tents for anyone who would like that, freshly made bread made on site, wine and beer tastings, someone playing the guitar in the background at the restaurant.” These are all examples with which Verbossen anticipates will become trends we notice within the glamping sector. More than ever, people are looking for an experience, but also sustainability and a sense of longing back to nature remain important themes.

When developing the facilities Verbossen also looks to his own family and their

And yet, Verbossen notices that customer-friendliness and being close to the customer are still the most important aspects of his business.

Therefore, he says about his holiday park: “What we want is that it that we are proud of our back yard, because we live there ourselves, and I would like to have a good relationship with everyone.

I do not want to feel uncomfortable in my own backyard. So, we are guided by this emotion and we really do it our own way.”

As you can imagine, this translates into a very comfortable stay for guests at De Pier!

Additional information: Vakantiepark De Pier is located in Uden, Brabant. The interview with Rems Verbossen was conducted at the 2020 Vakantiebeurs in Utrecht.

For more information about De Pier you can contact Rems Verbossen on info@depier.nl.

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DUTCH MARKET REPORT Safari Lodge con famiglia

VACANZE COL CUORE:

STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART Where it all began: Camping Weekend Thirty-five years ago, Van de Loo opened Camping Weekend by Lake Garda. The business got off to a slow start, as the position was not directly next to the lake – but the site had a swimming pool which set it apart from other camping offers in the area.

“But we made a difference with our rental units, Dutch entertainment, and with us you could make a reservation for a specific pitch,” says Van de Loo. “So, if you wanted pitch number 1, then that was exactly what you got; and there was the swimming pool of course. No one had a swimming pool, because campsite owners thought: ‘My camping is situated by Lake Garda or near the sea, therefore I do not need a swimming pool.’ And that swimming pool turned out to be our saving grace!”

New ambitions and new opportunities Van de Loo kept making improvements at his destinations and he always listened to his guests. "So, because guests were asking us: Why are those tents only at Camping Weekend and not at other locations, such as on the Adriatic coast and Tuscany? That was the reason we also put up tents on those locations. In this way, it kept expanding and then our small-scale tour operator grew into the larger brands: Selectcamp and Vacanceselect.”

Meanwhile, Van de Loo has sold these brands and is now focusing on his own destinations in Italy. Besides Weekend Glamping Resort, this also includes Vacanze Glamping Boutique, Vallicella Glamping Resort, Il Gabbiano Park

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Residence, Sivinos Camping Boutique, Orlando in Chianti Glamping Resort, and Lago Idro Glamping Boutique. His plan: “To group smaller camping sites together and to offer service to our guests a personal service from a central office, where all the activities can be hosted in order to create a 360º glamping experience, and to sell that to people.”

High quality glamping His many years’ experience in the camping sector were certainly of great help to him in creating a glamping experience that has the wow-factor. And this shows at the new destination Vallicella.

“A destination with a lot fewer people, more room and with accommodation that has the wow-factor. So, not just your standard mobile homes, but beautiful, luxurious accommodations with attractive verandas, a nice view and lots of room both inside and outside the accommodation,” says Van de Loo. The first investments in glamping were made at Glamping Resort Weekend and there this also turned out to be a good investment. “At that point, I met Patrick, the former owner of LuxeTenten and then we built a small village on Camping Weekend. So, no streets any more, but a real village consisting of luxury tents,” he says. Van de Loo is still very satisfied with the tents he purchased from LuxeTenten: “As it happens, we did not invest in new tents this year. But, in the future I am certain we will do so again, because it is a beautiful product with a good price-quality ratio.”

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DUTCH MARKET REPORT Spotty Lodge

Spotty Lodge

Vacanze col Cuore is a small-scale supplier of glamping accommodations in Italy with campings by Lake Garda and in Tuscany. It is a Dutch-Italian family business where father, mother, and son work together. We spoke to the owner, Loek van de Loo, at the Vakantiebeurs in Utrecht. Here, he shares more about his vision on glamping and the changing camping market.

A 360º glamping experience According to Van de Loo, the accommodation is not the only important thing, the facilities at the destination play also a key role in creating a 360º glamping experience. For example, a firstclass restaurant, entertainment, and a breath-taking location.

“More and more, people have the need for silence, peace and nature. Those elements combined with a good restaurant, good children's entertainment, nice swimming pools and plenty of possibilities for excursions - that is what we do.”

Creating an experience is also becoming more important. A swimming pool alone, is not enough anymore. No, next to that swimming pool you need waterfalls and slides. “When we built the Spotty Pool with a slide at Camping Weekend, business picked up even more.” In this way, Van de Loo sees multiple trends that he can respond to, such as parents who like to teach their children new things when they are on vacation. Next summer, he will respond to this by setting up a biology class where children can take a look at the tracks of wild boars, for instance.

In addition, serving and adapting to the wishes of different target groups is important for a successful glamping destination. “For instance, we have special accommodation for couples at Vallicella, where you can sleep upstairs and can sit on a picnic bench downstairs. So, what I am trying to say, is that you should not cram your entire camping with mobile homes or just one type of tent,” says Van de Loo. “No, what you should do, is offer

variety, different styles of accommodation, so that people can choose. Moreover, a couple has completely different needs. A couple that visits during the pre-season or the late season wants somewhere to stay that is theirs and not the odd caravan that happens to be vacant anyway. It does not work like that. They want to have something special and that is precisely what we have tried to offer at Vallicella this year and it was a real success.”

Vacanze col Cuore: a vacation straight from the heart At Vacanze col Cuore the personal attention and good service offered to guests are the central points. By responding to the wishes and the needs of the guest you can make all the difference as a destination, but this is something you should keep working on. Of course, wishes and needs change all the time. It is up to Van de Loo to welcome as many guests as possible at his destinations next year. This is also one of the reasons why Van de Loo is present at the Vakantiebeurs trade show with an exhibition stand; he wants to show he is also well disposed towards his guests in the Netherlands.

Additional information: The above interview with Loek van de Loo was conducted at the Vakantiebeurs in Utrecht. For additional information about Vacanze col Cuore you can contact info@vacanzecolcuore.com or call on +39 0365 388019 (also in Dutch).

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DUTCH MARKET REPORT

INTERVIEW WITH

RICHARD OTTEN

Would you like a glamorous vacation in a lodge tent in the Netherlands, or to spend the night in a treehouse in France, or to gaze at the stars from your air lodge in Tuscany? All of this and more is now possible, because glamping is a trend that has definitely resonated with Dutch tourists during the last couple of years. So, it is not surprising that the website Glamping.nl has gained a solid position in the tourism market in the Netherlands.

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Now, the website offers more than 600 destinations and accommodation options all over Europe. "Glamping is definitely not a niche anymore. It is an established market that is still expected to grow for the upcoming years,” says Richard Otten, owner of Blogs4Travel, the organization behind Glamping.nl. International Glamping Business Magazine gets an inside view of a company that cleverly unites supply and demand in a growing niche market in the Netherlands.

History Glamping.nl is part of Blogs4Travel and was founded in 2012. At the time, it was the first website that specialised exclusively in glamping accommodation.

The focus at that time was mainly on Italy. "We soon noticed that it was a growth market,” adds Richard.

“Organizations such as Vacanceselect.nl, Tendi.nl, and LodgeHolidays.nl were among the first players in Europe to respond to this trend. Of course, the idea of luxury camping is much older than that.”

“Well-to-do English travellers took their entire households with them, including luxury tents and servants, so they could still live comfortably in Africa. Glamping is now a worldwide phenomenon.

Especially in England and America it is booming and websites such as Glampinghub.com and Coolcamping.com have become worldwide players. However, we are a top player on our domestic market.”

From a Dutch perspective glamping is a luxury follow-up to old-fashioned and nostalgic camping which many campsites and holiday parks in Europe respond to.

“Dutch tourists no longer want to sit in a plastic chair in front of their bungalow tent in a street where another 20 tents are set up. Nowadays, there is a need for luxury, but in the middle of nature”, says Otten.

In 2017, it became clear that glamping was not a passing fad. As of 2009 the first players were already responding to this trend, but in the meantime the offer has

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DUTCH MARKET REPORT grown considerably both in the Netherlands and abroad. “They all respond to the growing number of visitors that were looking for glamping holidays. This was visible in our Analytics.” says Otten.

Blogs4Travel, Glamping.nl has a clear content strategy that is adhered to by the community manager in collaboration with all the cooperating bloggers.

A clear growth is noticeable. At this moment, the term glamping gives more than 30 million search results in Google.

This shows that it is mainly an international phenomenon. When you only type in Dutch search words such as 'luxe kamperen’ (luxury camping) or 'safaritent’, respectively about 6 million and 1.2 million search results appear.

Glamping.nl works with Tradetracker and Tradedoubler (two major affiliate networks in Holland) in order to be able to collaborate with individual campsites, partners and tour operators. Of course, there are also possibilities to advertise via branded content. "We try to keep it as authentic as possible and especially want to connect to the experience of the visitor,” says Richard. In addition, they often work together with faraway destinations on the basis of an annual fee.

"Some of our international partners are not affiliated with an affiliate party, so we simply charge an amount per year," he adds.

Focus and content Since 2015, Glamping.nl has invested a lot in content creation and the main focus has been on the range of glamping accommodation; mostly within Europe and specifically within the Netherlands.

"Traditional destinations such as France and Italy are favourites of course, but people also want to see other destinations and special accommodations. Glamping is mainly a visual product and therefore it lends itself well for social media and blogs. We have put a lot of effort into this,” says Richard.

“Our first aim is to write content that is relevant to the visitor. The SEO value for Google is only of secondary importance”.

Just like many other platforms of

A Luxury Safari Tent on a campsite

The blog section was added to the website at the end of 2016. Although it is becoming more and more known, Glamping is still a new phenomenon for many people. Therefore, Blogs4Travel aims to offer relevant content on its website that informs as well as inspires.

"We want people to be inspired when they see a picture on our Facebook page.With more than 15.000 likes (large numbers according to Dutch standards) a community is growing,” says Richard.

Glamping.nl collaborates with external bloggers, but also creates its own content. "We occasionally make press trips in cooperation with some of our partners. Last year, for example, we made a trip to several campsites in Europe.

This content will come online in the course of the coming weeks and months,” he adds.

The current website of Glamping.nl For next year, Richard Otten predicts further growth of glamping sites, pushing the boundaries even further. "It has to be more and more unique, so manufacturers and tour operators will come up with the wildest plans,” says Richard. At Glamping.nl they currently see that eco-tourism, zero footprint, wellness and retreats are trends within the Dutch glamping market. The main visitors of the website are no longer only ‘families with children, but also couples, solo travellers, business travellers and larger groups and families. “Glamping is not just for the innovators and early adopters anymore. We have entered a more adult phase with high potential for further growth. It is now a very dynamic playing field consisting of traditional tour operators, affiliate channels, bloggers and OTA's where the ones with the best focus and budget will win. I am confident that Glamping.nl will be one of them,” Richard concludes.

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A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR CHANGE This year, for the first time ever, industry leaders in the Eco Resort sector will gather for a unique summit. There, they will tackle some of the biggest issues sustainable tourism faces today and the solutions that we can together provide.

What is Eco Resort Network?

Eco Resort Network is the world’s first dedicated networking conference and convening event for professionals in the Eco Resort sector. It will take place in Bled, Slovenia in June 2020, with the backing of the Slovenian Tourist Board and is presented by International Glamping Business Magazine and World of Glamping with the support of Regenerative Resorts.

The event includes two days of keynotes by industry leaders as well as curated conversations, to which delegates are expected to contribute. These conversations will create lasting and valuable relationships, as well as establishing a clear vision of where the industry is headed, what best practice looks like and what the guests of today and tomorrow expect.

Who is Eco Resort Network for?

This unique networking conference is limited to just 70 individuals, all of whom are Eco Resort operators, financiers and investors in green projects, tour operators, DMOs, government representatives, journalists or consultants.

It is for professionals who want to not only develop their own project, but to step to the forefront of the eco resort industry as a whole. Whether you are an operator looking to connect with impactoriented financiers or a government official looking to build a more sustainable future for tourism, Eco Resort Network is the place that you can

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connect, collaborate, and create the future of the industry.

Who will speak at Eco Resort Network?

Eco Resort Network is designed around the concept of directed conversation — every delegate is expected to engage, because that is how we learn, progress and truly make connections. In addition to conversations, there will be keynote speakers to set the stage and panels to drive the topics forward.

On Thursday, June 18, delegates will have the chance to hear Jeremy Smith, author of “Transforming Travel”, discuss if and how we can save the planet through eco-tourism. This will be followed by a panel of key-sector representatives who will discuss the challenges each sector faces, their successes, the lessons they’ve learnt, and the unintended consequences. After, delegates will be divided into small group discussion — a unique opportunity for in-depth connections.

The next keynote of the day will be It Starts With a Turtle: The Red Sea Development Company. This explores the story of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Project, the largest tourism destination ever developed with sustainability at its core. This is again followed by small group discussions, this time on local markets, based on location. Finally, delegates will hear Terry Stevens of Stevens & Associates discuss the importance of the relationship between the resort and the destination.

The next day opens with Clara Le Fort, author of Bon Voyage and luxury brand consultant, who will explore how luxury travel has transformed, and needs to transform, to accommodate the changing demands of today’s travellers, with a focus on spas, wellbeing, food and beverages.

This will be followed by a Convening Conversation to further the topic before delegates once more break into smaller groups. After a topic-based lunch, participants from UN, NGOs, Local Grassroots Groups, Hospitality, Finance, etc. will lead a conversation about large scale and systemic change, including the major issues we all face such as oceans, fisheries, community health, education, and more.

The day will come to an end with keynote speakers joining event organizers (Steph, David and Maja) on stage to host a summary, inviting delegates to share key learnings.

How do you apply to Eco Resort Network?

The limited number of places allow delegates at Eco Resort Network to create real connections and have real conversations about the problems we face and the solutions that Eco Resorts can deliver. As such, all potential delegates must apply online at ecoresort.network, where you can find further details on this unique gathering. If you are unable to attend, there is also the possibility to only join the network, with all the benefits this offers.

JUNE 18-20, 2020

Lake Bled, Slovenia - Mirko Kunsic

AN EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITY TO NETWORK WITH THE WORLD’S LEADING ECO RESORT OPERATORS, FINANCIERS, CONSULTANTS, TRAVEL JOURNALISTS AND DESTINATION MARKETING PROFESSIONALS.

Shinta Mani Wild - Bill Bensley Collection

Two days of curated conversations which will move your business to the next level, in the beautiful surroundings of Slovenia - the world’s first Green Country APPLY FOR A PLACE NOW - SUBJECT TO APPROVAL

www.ecoresort.network

Garden Village Bled