International Glamping Business | November 2022

Welcome to the November issue of International Glamping Business magazine. We have been busy since our last issue, attending both the Glamping Show in the UK and also the Glamping Show USA. Both were a great success and it was wonderful to see so many industry friends and fantastic new products. We bring you reports and photos from both in this issue.

In addition, I squeezed in a visit to Montenegro to find venues for next year’s Eco Resort Network event and I can honestly say it was one of the most beautiful countries I have ever visited. We have more details on how you can get involved if you want to join the delegates next May.

I joined Edward Busby of Crown & Canopy to present the findings from our combined research into the UK market at The Glamping Show in the UK and I would like to say thanks to all those who came to see us speak. In this issue we bring you the results of some similar research carried out by our French correspondent and friend Adeline Lenoir of Hôtes Insolites.

In addition, we have a round-up of fires, grills, barbecues and fuel for those who are open into the shoulder season or planning for next year. We also have an interview with the team behind Love Campers – a company you may have seen exhibit at The Glamping Show.

GRILLS

WIGWAM

WITH

The Corkshack was a project conceived by Dewi Jones, a graphic designer originally from Wales.

Dewi Jones and his wife Clare wanted to reconstruct the medieval roundhouses of the

A VISION TO CREATE A UNIQUE, ECOLOGICAL AND STYLISH SPACE

local area in Alentejo, Portugal and make them the focal point of their luxury eco glamping business.

After careful consideration and research into the project, Dewi came up with the design for the Corkshack, a structure based on the dwellings of the Bronze and Iron Age people of more than two thousand years ago, but with a modern and natural twist!

The desire to design a space, which was both stylish and unique and, at the same time, in harmony with nature, highlighted the need to use ecological materials wherever possible. Hence, wood was used to build the main frame of the 25sqm decagon Corkshack, and the exterior walls covered with cork, an excellent natural thermal and acoustic insulator. Natural broom was sourced to

PITCHUP REVEALS RECORD-BREAKING SEASON IN 2022

A recent post by Pitchup.com, the online campsite and holiday park booking website, reveals record-breaking figures from August 2022.

Pitchup states, “2021 was a bumper year for camping, glamping and other outdoor accommodation, and many thought this was just a flash in the pan. We’re pleased to report that this wasn’t the case,”.

The Highlights:

n A new record was set for the most bookings in a single day – at peak, it was one every 6 seconds. Bookings on 9th August 2022 surpassed their previous record, set on 13th July 2021 by 12%.

n Another record was set for the most bookings in a day taken by an individual site; a medium-sized site with tent pitches and rental tents in southwest England took

95 bookings in a single day on 9th August 2022.

n Figures for visitors coming to the UK from abroad grew 53% when compared with the same period in 2019.

n During the UK August Bank Holiday, 110,223 people holidayed with Pitchup –just on the Saturday.

The pandemic staycation era proved incredibly fruitful for the UK glamping industry, with many dubious about its longterm viability. These figures from Pitchup (although including camping pitches and holiday parks along with traditional glamping) and other booking

thatch the conical roof to add an authentic touch.

After successfully building two Corkshacks for their tourism business, the couple has decided to make this vision a reality for others. Therefore, drawing on this experience and an enthusiasm to help others contribute to being more environmentally friendly while achieving their aims, they have teamed up with MAN Architects in Lisbon, Portugal. The highly experienced, professional studio has produced high quality architectural plans, which are available at an affordable price.

These plans aim to improve the building experience of anyone wishing to construct a Corkshack and create a connection between themselves and nature.

& hosting sites that have released data, such as Sykes Holiday Cottages and Hipcamp, show that industry records are definitely still being broken.

It was only natural to assume that, after a “boom”, bookings would even out to prepandemic levels. However, the industry is still on a steady incline. Pitchup says, “Revenue has almost doubled since 2019. This equates to an additional 811,000 customers holidaying in the UK,” – and that’s just on one website.

“HOBBIT HOLE” GLAMPING PODS IN WALES WIN TOP HOLIDAY AWARD

Nant y Garnedd was awarded the top accolade in the Sykes Holiday Cottagesbacked contest – despite only being open for four months.

The winners have been revealed in a nationwide search for the UK and Ireland’s best holiday lets. The awards, which were organised for a second year running by Sykes Cottages, saw holiday home owners from across the UK and Ireland competing to be crowned a winner in five separate categories.

The overall winner, named UK and Ireland’s Best Holiday Let, walked away with a £10,000 cash prize, while smaller cash prizes were awarded to the individual category winners. Nant y Garnedd was awarded the top accolade – despite only being open for four months.

Located on a family farm in Snowdonia, the hobbit-style holiday pod is owned by brothers Dylan and Gwion Jones and their partners Mared Jones and Catrin Owen. The group decided to diversify their farm with the addition of eco-friendly glamping accommodation in 2020, spending the past two years creating two luxury lets.

Each sleeping up to four guests, the pods come complete with wood-fired hot tubs, walk-in showers and private gardens. With its quirky look and luxury feel attracting holidaymakers from far and wide, Nant y Garnedd is already booked up until the end of the year.

Meanwhile, other categories in the competition saw winners crowned for Best Renovation, Most Quirky Holiday Let, Best Interior and Best View. The expert judging panel included Sykes’ chief executive Graham Donoghue, alongside a selection of property experts. Properties were judged on a number of factors, including customer reviews, location and facilities on offer. Catrin Owens said: “We can’t believe we are

the winners of this competition, we’re still in shock. We could have never predicted that our dream of creating hobbit houses on our land would lead to this – but what started as a small project alongside the farm has turned into a booming business in just a few months.”

“The prize money will help us build on our sustainable ambitions for the huts. When we first started, we wanted to install a hydro scheme so that electricity will be generated by running water, but the installation was too far over our budget. We want to make sure people can enjoy the beautiful Welsh countryside while not harming the area and now we will be able to fulfil our original objectives with this prize money.”

Graham Donoghue of Sykes Holiday Cottages, added: “These awards don’t just showcase the very best of the UK and Ireland’s holiday lets, they also highlight the hard work that goes into holiday letting across the country. These owners make Britain’s staycation market the success it is today and with so many incredible holiday lets on offer it is little surprise to see so many people rediscovering their love of a great British staycation once again.”

KERRY ROY WINS AWARD FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRITOURISM AND INNOVATION

Kerry Roy, founder of Camp Kátur in the UK and Cerchio Del Desiderio Glamping Retreat in Italy, takes home the prestigious “Green Oscar” for Sustainable Agritourism and Innovation.

Kerry took to the Cerchio del Desiderio social media accounts to express gratitude to her team, and friends and family.

She said, “I was happy to win various awards in my UK business at Camp Kátur when it was under my ownership, but to win a business award as a foreigner in Italy amongst 31 other shortlisted Italian entrepreneurs is just WOW,”

“I actually happy cried more so because doing business as an English girl in foreign lands can be daunting, overwhelming, ultimately frustrating and forever challenging, but I’m so happy that all the effort, passion and hard work has been recognised by the region leaders of Abruzzo.”

Kerry continued, “A huge thanks always to the heart-close rocks behind me. Three in particular: my father, my boyfriend and my forever supportive ex. Without all of these guys, I’d be shattered at times. Thank you! And to my lovely team of helpers who work well to keep rooms clean, [and] deliver good service, maintenance and friendly hospitality to our guests, grazie!”

This follows this year’s successful inaugural event held in Slovenia and will feature the same format of conference plus field trips and networking dinners. The Montenegro event will be held at the 5* Lazure Hotel and Marina on 24th and 25th May 2023, with a welcome drinks reception on the evening of 23rd May and an optional extra day on Friday 26th May for those who would like to visit the Oblun Eco Resort, which will be partly constructed and is planned over 7 distinct geographical areas, outside of Podgorica.

Following the Slovenia event in June this year, we are already aware more than 10% of delegates having pursued new business opportunities directly as a result of the connections they made. These include approaches from investors, distribution agreements, strategic partnerships and sales of goods and services. This does not include the many new friendships, referrals and recommendations which resulted from spending quality time among like-minded people. Many of the delegates from 2022 have already expressed a strong desire to join the event again in 2023, claiming that it is their ‘favourite’ event in the calendar. We believe the combination of curating a highly focused group of high-end delegates, pleasant surroundings and the chance to visit an eco resort as part of the event has proven to be extremely popular.

Tickets will be available to purchase from the ecoresort.network website from the beginning of November and the hotel can also be booked there at a special delegate rate. Early bird rates apply for both before the end of 2022.

Otherwise please contact steph@ecoresort. network for more details.

Slovenia 2022 - Thank YOU so much for this truly enriching event. I met some incredible people, integrated new perspectives and knowledge, discovered a beautiful country and had a lot of fun as well!!

Slovenia 2022 - I was really impressed with Slovenia, Bled and the convivial esprit de corps of the delegation. I cannot remember an event quite like this. Such a diverse and eclectic global group of entrepreneurs and driven but warm business people.”

Slovenia 2022 – I wanted to say huge thank you for making me part of such a wonderful, intimate, inspiring event in such a magnificent location. It was just what I needed to reset and reignite.” Kerry Roy – Owner –Cerchio del Desiderio resort Abruzzo, Italy.

Monenegro 2023 - Packing my stuff now. Cat and I would love to participate –can’t wait – favourite event! – Louis Thompson, MD Nomadic Resorts

Monenegro 2023 - Sounds amazing, Karl and I will be there with Bells on –Tom Butterfield and Karl Plunkett, Sales Director and Managing Director Eco Structures Australia

The team behind International Glamping Business and World of Glamping will host its second Eco Resort Network event in Montenegro in 2023.

to

Astrid Arlove, Owner OBOÉ Resort Mauritius

Todd Wynne-Parry, MD Horwath HTL

Landmark Report Reveals the

The leading French consultancy Hôtes-Insolites has launched its first glamping research, alongside the specialist firm Protourisme, which aims to shed light on the structure of the unusual accommodation market.

The idea is to renew the research every two years – it covers many themes – a directory of the companies involved in the sector including details of the year they were founded, the types and numbers of accommodation offered, equipment and services, comfort levels, as well as management and occupancy data for 2021. “All this information makes it possible to draw up a concrete and precise panorama of the glamping market in France,” says Adeline Lenior, Founder of Hôtes-Insolites.

“This research was based on the dissemination of a vast survey of all French glamping hosts, which were exhaustively listed by the Hôtes Insolites agency. This upstream census required several months of research to lead to the creation of a national database, which had never been established before. All unusual forms of accommodation were the subject of research, including when the hosts were present only on social networks or ad sites,” she adds.

In 2022, the French market has 3,026 glamping sites and more than 9,702 pieces of glamping accommodation. All of these structures have generated Euros 220 million, the average price per night in these sites being Euros 142 and the average budget per stay calculated at around 241 euros. The study also reveals that the duration of a stay in unusual accommodation is 1.7

nights on average and 2.5 nights camping. Glamping accommodation simultaneously accommodates an average of 2.9 people and 3.6 people on a campsite. The average budget allocated to a night camping is Euros 89. In 2021, of all the hosts surveyed, it turned out that they opened on average 200 days over the year with an occupancy rate of around 57%.

Regarding customers, it appears that 66% are couples, 63% are between 31 and 45 years old and 47% live less than two hours from the unusual structure.

The complete report is available to buy from Hôtes-Insolites at https://hotes-insolites. com/produit/etude-de-loffre/

IN A

EVER FOR UK GLAMPING GUESTS?

Background

I built my first Wigwam glamping pod in 1992, 30 years ago! At the time, there was nothing else quite like it and there was certainly no such thing as ‘glamping’, or even ‘pods’ for that matter.

As a graduate from Hooke Park College, Dorset, I was a specialist in the use of forest thinnings in construction. In January 1990, I started work with the Countryside Commision for Scotland as designer in residence, my brief was to create a low cost, affordable accommodation option for walkers on long distance footpaths. Inspired by the architecture of Native Americans and with a passion for the outdoors, the project was a perfect fit and shortly afterwards, our original ‘Wigwam’ camping cabin was born. I started my business in 1992 and pioneered the market for these small wooden cabins, predominantly on farms offering an alternative to traditional camping.

Wigwam Holidays was launched in 2000 to bring together these first few cabin locations. We agreed with our customers to build a website and contribute to a joint marketing fund. With the Wigwam trademarked, we were open for business and the very first ‘glamping’ sites were born. As the network grew, we understood the need for consistency. We learnt from each other, collaborated to offer online booking, and finally launched our franchise model in 2014.

Much has changed since those early days. We now have as many people employed in our marketing and operational departments as are employed in our workshop. We focus just as much on building an excellent and trusted brand as we do on manufacturing an excellent

cabin. Our booking system and website are now paramount to everything we do.

Growth of Glamping Markets, just like everything else of course, are constantly changing, and this has certainly been true for the UK glamping sector. Our first competitors didn’t arrive until the mid 2000’s and today we are faced with multiple manufacturers offering a bewildering range of similar products. The increase in glamping businesses has gone into hyperdrive over the past few years and it is now crucial for those of us in the industry to distinguish ourselves from the competition.

Over the last two years, the staycation market has boomed as people came out of months of lockdown and foreign travel was curtailed by travel restrictions. The British public discovered their home country as never before and unearthed the fundamental truth that we are nourished by and are happier outdoors. Glamping provides the ideal back to nature experience; campfires, starry skies and the luxury of a heated cabin, pod or luxurious canvas abode. As we move forward in an uncertain economic and political climate, people still remember those vacations, not just of childhood, but from last year. Bookings tend to be last minute, sometimes reliant on the vagaries of the British weather. It is fundamental that the family holiday or break is safeguarded and an established brand with clear standards of service, experience and quality are fundamental to the booking decision.

Trust Trust - that tried, tested, and most valuable currency - is critical to distinguish brands from the many disparate glamping

offerings now available. This starts with the customers who holiday at your site. It is crucial that they trust your brand to deliver a great holiday. Your logo alone should inspire this feeling. When guests are booking their next adventure, and are faced with an overwhelming list of options, it is your brand or site that they will trust to give them the same great experience they have had before. In a market as saturated and unregulated as UK glamping, what was always important, is now vital. For customer trust, you must provide an excellent customer experience, plain, simple, and more importantly you have to apply this consistently.

In an increasingly saturated market, with a plethora of different booking channels and experiences, all of us in this industry must continue to adapt, grow and provide a customer first approach to our marketing and business. There are no shortcuts however and no easy route to success. Building trust takes time and I would encourage any ambitious new businesses in the sector to be patient and focus on the fundamentals: Consistency, Quality product, Quality experience.

It is these fundamental principles which your brand must communicate and will ensure your business growth and survival in the years to come. As we face political, environmental, and economic uncertainty, people will always need the healing power of nature, which we find in abundance in the great British outdoors.

Trust in your brand is more important than ever before to build consumer confidence and future proof your glamping business.

Charles

Bigger and Better REPORT

It was another successful year for The Glamping Show! Held on a new ground at the NAEC Stoneleigh, the show proved to be the biggest to date. International Glamping Business, the official publication of The Glamping Show, was delighted to attend and it was a pleasure to see the industry still growing after 8 years of the event.

The Glamping Show offers the largest collection of dedicated glamping products in the UK, held over 3 days, with companies hailing from across Europe and even further. It’s been a joy to watch the show grow every year since 2015 and witness the launch of new and innovative ideas.

With 107 exhibitor stands - 33 of which were brand new this year - the show ground was full of eye-catching structures, unique accessories, off-grid necessities, and innovative businesses. There wa sample opportunity for existing providers looking to expand or diversify their accommodation; new-on-thescene marketing and hosting site, Glamp, stood out with catchy slogans and a bold marquee, whilst first time exhibitors Autentic presented uniquely coloured bell tents outside of the sandy norm.

The space was literally doubled in size this year. “It was a challenge to get used to the new space but it really paid off,” says Dan Wiseman, Exhibition Manager. The wider walkways meant less congestion, and with

“Excellent show – bang on target audience. The lanyards and scannable badges made for easy lead capture.”

– Plastic Solutions Ltd

“We were in the market for a shepherd hut and it was really good to have so many in one place, rather than driving around the country to look at all the different ones. A great show with all of the suppliers and likeminded folk in one place – brilliant!”

stands being more spaced out, each exhibitor could have their moment. The new area offered more trees and greenery, which made the structures especially much easier to visualise on one’s own glamping land.

Face-to-face seminars were back for 2022 with 17 sessions held over the 3 days by industry experts across various fields. Sarah Riley, Inspired Camping, hosted a panel session with 4 women each running their own successful glampsites, and explained a multitude of ways to attract more guests.

TruDomes’ stand did not miss; with a giant branded deckchair and sweet doggy-height porthole window that became a firm team

All Photos © Alastair Hilton

– Matt C. (Visitor)

BCT Outdoors

Clear Sky Safari

Naked Flame/Delivita

“Such a great show to do! We love it and look forward to it every year. Lovely customers, lovely organisers and other exhibitors. Lots of interest in getting off grid so we had very interesting conversations for people who are looking to put glamping sites all over the country and all over the world with all the power challenges that this brings. Can’t wait for next year!”

– Portable Power Technology

favourite. A stroll to the Naked Flame stand was met with an inviting smell of fresh bread cooking in a Delvita outdoor stove, while 1StopSpas tempted us to a relaxing dip in one of their luxury hot tub models.

A huge thanks to Swan Events from the International Glamping Business team for organising yet another incredible show. Even with big changes to the event this year, the team really pulled it out of the bag… We can’t wait to see what’s in store for next year.

“This is the first time Outdoor Space Company has exhibited at TGS and it exceeded our expectations by miles. We met lots of lovely people from all over the UK and over the three days we had a constant stream of people (and dogs!) to our stand. The feedback we had was brilliant and we came away not only with a long list of formal enquiries, but we sold both our show products there and then. The weather was kind and we can’t wait for next year.”

–– Outdoor Space Company

Pure Pods

Sarah Riley’s Seminar

Unique Hideaways

Black Sheep Shepherd Huts

W Fire Pits

CAMPERS

How did Love Campers come about?

My husband Darren and I started Love Campers six years ago when we realised we could turn our passion for campervan design into a business. We’ve both always enjoyed campervan holidays and getting into nature, so it made sense to do a job we felt passionate about. At one point, Darren even lived in a converted bus.

We started by building campervans, and have more recently added bespoke portable horsebox cabins to our products; we love the freedom that a home-on-wheels gives. We wanted to create a company that was conscious about

its impact and as accessible as possible and that’s why we try to be thoughtful about equal opportunities, sustainability and inclusion in everything we do.

Who are the people behind the brand?

I’ve been the Operational Director of Love Campers since 2016. Prior to this, I qualified as a solicitor and ran my own human rights consultancy, specialising in research and advocacy around the world.

Darren is the Technical Director and brings over 25 years’ experience of precision metalworking across a variety of areas, including

making and fitting parts for super-yachts. He’s an inventor and problem solver by nature, so always loves a new challenge!

Alongside Darren, we have a team of excellent craftspeople who work on the fitting of the conversions to an exceptional quality. We also have a dedicated Marketing Manager who looks after everything in that department.

What can Love Campers do? Love Campers creates beautifully designed artisan campervans and portable horsebox cabins.

It can all be fully customised to suit the taste and requirements of our clients, meaning they can perfectly reflect the brand and look of a business. We can even make bespoke products such as saunas, showers, micro cabins and cafés.

We kit out our campers with state-of-the-art renewable energy systems with products like induction hobs and extra powerful solar panels. On top of this, we always aim to choose the most sustainable interior options, including FSC-certified wood for our furniture, and natural fibre insulation made from sheep’s wool or hemp.

How could glampsite owners use Love Campers to diversify? Our converted horseboxes are completely portable and off-grid, which means they offer business owners the freedom to step away from

We’ve all seen the #VanLife social media craze – but how could this transfer to the glamping industry? Love Campers specialise in converting vans and quirky vehicles into artisan ‘cabins’. After exhibiting at The Glamping Show UK for the first time this year, International Glamping Business’ Annie Hilton spoke to Director Clara Usiskin to find out more.

Darren at The Glamping Show UK

Clara & Darren

planning permission, or having to think about complicated electric hook ups. The cabins can be moved to varying positions at different times of the year, useful for land that is prone to damage from seasonal weather conditions.

Love Campers works closely with the client to create a completely bespoke and beautiful product, unique to your business. The idea is that you can keep it simple, or let your dreams run wild.

Campervan rental is absolutely booming at the moment and is a fantastic way to create a secondary income. What’s more, when a campervan is not being rented out, it makes a great addition to the life of busy owners who’d like to escape into nature themselves!

According to a survey by the Camping & Caravanning Club, the demand for UK campervan rentals is at an all-time high; it reported an increase of 33% in campervan rentals in Easter 2022, compared to the same weekend in 2019. Further studies carried out by market researchers Mintel reported that 1 in 5 British adults have been on a camping or van holiday since the pandemic, and about 4.5 million of these were sleeping in a tent or campervan for the very first time.

These findings go to show that it’s the perfect time to maximise on the campervan rental industry. We’ve already been helping out lots of inspirational and ambitious small business and entrepreneurs this year, and want to help even more people harness the power of this sector.

It was great to meet you all –how was your first time at The Glamping Show?

We absolutely loved the show! It was incredible to meet so many inspirational entrepreneurs. We had some great chats and got excited talking about people’s creative ideas. The team is very excited to see the glamping industry continue to diversify in interesting ways.

The show made us realise that we’d love to convert some less traditional spaces. As converters of small spaces, we’re experienced in designing conversions to fit all sorts of shapes, so it would be great to work on something a bit different like a plane, helicopter, or bus.

We’re already working with someone we met

at The Glamping Show, working closely with her design and converting a horsebox into a portable coffee shop.

Which project has been your favourite to work on – or most unique?

Our most loved project is a recent conversion of a retro ambulance in a 1989 Mercedes-Benz 507D. The classic vehicle had been stored inside for the bulk of its life and had only clocked up around 28,000 miles. It was in great condition for its age and the original paintwork had been preserved pristinely.

The ambulance conversion features a fixed main bed at the rear of the campervan with a children’s bunk below. Complete with a curtain and lights, it’s also been designed as a play den, making it perfect for a family. At the back, Darren installed a metal locker to store electric skateboards and bicycles, or even surfboards!

A dinette was made from birch ply and oak with twin benches around a table, whilst the kitchen features oak worktops, a Thetford oven, grill and three-burner hob, a copper-coloured sink, a coffee maker, and a Dometic fridge. The campervan has been lined with Thermafleece insulation and features solar panels – and a very powerful lithium battery! Now fully converted, it’s currently part of a fleet of Love Campers’ show vehicles.

We’re about to put this rare and special van up for sale and welcome enquiries to hello@ lovecampers.co.uk.

Would your conversions be suitable for a fully off-grid site?

Absolutely! All of our conversions can work completely off-grid with solar panels and powerful batteries; your entire campervan or cabin can be completely powered from clean solar electricity. This has the added benefit that

the campervan or cabin is completely portable, as you’re not tied to a particular piece of land where you’re connected to the mains.

What is possible for customers with a smaller budget, versus what could be possible with a larger budget?

Some of our conversions are large and can take months in the workshop, with hundreds of hours of expert carpentry and expensive base products. These obviously come at a premium, however there are options for people with a smaller budget. For example, there are certain wood finishes that are still lovely, but less labour intensive, so we charge a bit less for them. We had the idea of building a surf campervan for a charity that would be crowdfunded by their supporters, and are always looking for creative ways to fund our builds for those who would not otherwise have access to a campervan.

What are your plans, and goals, for the future?

This year Love Campers achieved one of its goals, which was to build a really unique conversion in a classic vehicle base. We want to continue to develop this experimental and creative element of our work, being inspired by the individual character of classic vehicles to come up with a design that is one-of-a-kind.

We are also aiming ultimately for Net Zero in our carbon output. The journey to that is going to involve working with more electric vehicles, delving into our supply chain and partnerships, and continuing to develop our cutting edge off-grid campervan and cabin systems.

We have a really exciting plan up our sleeve for 2023, involving a vintage VW Splitscreen campervan, but at the moment it’s top secret –so watch this space!

To find out more, visit lovecampers.co.uk

1989 Mercedes-Benz 507D Ambulance

REPORT

SHOW USA

The Glamping Show USA is organised by David Korse and his capable team and is a joint venture with the UK show organiser Swan Events. David and his partner Sally have grown the expo and the conference hugely in the past couple of years and now there is also an entire day devoted to start-up businesses the day before the main conference and expo starts.

This day is organised in collaboration with the Glamping Association – headed by Glamping Hub’s charismatic Ruben Martinez. It kicked off with a ‘Shark’s Tank’ style pitching session featuring several businesses at different stages of expansion and looking for funding to achieve this. These included a Cowboy style glamping and chuck wagon offer, a ski and zip line adventure park, a real estate developer and someone who built a tent in their back year and started an Airbnb empire. All were incredibly well researched and presented with opportunities to scale up and this is probably the main difference between say the US and UK market – in the US it seems a prerequisite to think bigger – even from the very outset.

The conference hall could seat in the region of 700 – all of whom paid to attend sessions and were offered a great breakfast and lunch as part of the package. There was standing room only at several of the talks and there were breaks between the talks to allow for networking as well as an opportunity for

delegates to get to see the exhibits.

The Glamping Association also presented its first awards this year which were won by the following: Innovation & Pioneer: Timberline Glamping AGA Glamping Choice Award: Terramor Outdoor Resort Manufacturer of the Year: Secret Creek Technology of the Year: Campspot AGA Member Award: Eco Structures

Glamping Business Americas also hosted a drinks reception for advertisers and contributors on the first evening before the expo opened as a thank you for their support.

Conference Day

The expo itself was split between indoor and outdoor exhibits. There were more exhibitors than ever before this year with around 111. Indoors, we noticed more technical offers such as apps, marketing services and booking systems.

International companies represented at the show included Autentic, Eco Structures, Bushtec Safari, Yurts for Life, Creative Structures, De Waard Tenten, Glitzcamp, Trudomes, Boutique Camping and Glampitect, which has established a North American base. Other consultants included Todd Wynne-Parry from HTL Horwath – also a columnist for Glamping Business Americas, who brought along his own

It was a welcome return for the Glamping Business team to the Arapahoe Fairground in Aurora – after two years of travel restrictions. In the meantime, we have launched a dedicated magazine for the market – Glamping Business Americas, the official publication of the American Glamping Association.

Airstream which doubled as accommodation and a stand base!

The Honeytrek couple Mike and Anne Howard also brought their van along and their book – Comfortably Wild. They too contribute to the magazine regularly and have become de factor glamping experts and ambassadors.

For others who wished to stay over at the agricultural ground – there was glamping offered for the first time this year. This was organised in conjunction with supplier Stout Tent and was sold out. Barbeques and social gatherings were provided during the evenings, including a Mexican Mariachi band and tacos, which did a spicy salsa with the techno emanating from the Jupe stand – whose striking tall tents (designed by a team from Tesla and incorporating a battery powered base which the whole structure can pack into) and free bar provided an unofficial party central.

The majority of outdoor exhibits were still canvas-based, however, the diversity of glamping structures is growing fast. Alongside more traditional tents from the likes of Davis Tent, White Duck, Stout Tent, Rainier Outdoor, Reliable Tent, Life InTents were some hybrids like Cedar Bound – a gorgeous two-storey tent with timber frame. There was the classic covered wagons from Conestoga Wagon Company and Plainscraft –intrinsically American and stunningly created.

Safari and lodge tents were popular with Eco Structures bringing along several models, Tentmasters, the US distributor for YALA, De Waard with its Big Oak and the Bushtec Safari team all putting on glorious displays.

AGA Award winner Secret Creek had the ultimate attention grabber in the form of Margie the mule – their company mascot –

who at one point had hooch in her harness to offer guests! They had both tipi and yurt –yurts were well represented this year.

Living Intent Yurt Company also did exceptionally well at the show, taking a significant number of orders. Also showing was UK-based Yurts for Life and Lonesome Yurts and Treehouses.

Domes are proving popular in the US and UK-based Trudomes has set up a US division and warehousing. “This has made conversations with our customers much more productive during the show,” said the company’s director Kelda Bassett. The company sold the dome off its stand and had

an extremely positive show. F.Domes and Domos Geodesicos Cosmotec/East Domes LLC as well as Asian supplier Glitzcamp also showed through its US distributor Glitzcamp USA and Harmony Domes based in Colorado were also exhibiting.

A quick mention has to go to Nomadics Tipi Makers – such a worthwhile company with a beautiful, authentic product, that invests a significant proportion of its profits into supporting good causes, being as sustainable as possible and giving back to the Native American community. Also, something we have never seen before – Universal Rocks – a supplier of lifelike, artificial rocks created a kind of prehistoric Flintstones cabin with en suite, outdoor hot tub and shower unit – all of which were really quite incredible.

Cabins worth noting including the beautiful Drop Structures and the Cavco Park Model and Zook Cabins, all of which would work well in RV Park or glamping site settings.

The entire show, the organisation, the effort put into the stands and the quality of the speakers was hugely impressive. Most of all, what struck our team was the absolute enthusiasm of everyone involved!

White Duck

Tell us a bit about your company –how did it begin?

Certainly Wood was set up in 2005 by brothers George and Nic Snell as a diversification of their family farming business. Now in 2022, having pioneered the kiln drying of firewood, the company now produces 20,000 tonnes per year. A significant part of the business is focused on the glamping and camping sector and this continues to grow as more sites see the benefits of not only campfires and stoves, but the importance of using dry wood and the opportunities to gain significant income from selling firewood.

What product(s) do you offer for the glamping industry?

We offer British kiln dried hardwood logs and kindling, and our much loved Flamers Natural firelighters in clean, well-presented packaging to use either for retailing, or complimentary for guests to use to keep warm or cook with.

Is the wood seasoned – what are the benefits of this?

Certainly Wood logs are all kiln dried to a moisture content below 20% which ensures they are ready for immediate use –no seasoning required! We are part of the Woodsure Ready to Burn scheme, meaning our logs comply with the government legislation to reduce particulate emissions caused by burning wet wood; there is very clear evidence that burning wet wood produces far more particulate emissions than burning dry logs.

How sustainable are your products?

Very! We only take thinnings from woodlands within a 100 mile radius of our farm in Herefordshire, meaning low log miles compared to imported logs. Our production processes include running our kilns off wood waste, and we generate our own electricity using solar panels. Our logs are packed in recyclable plastic bags which are made from 30% recycled material, but we also have a plastic fee range of products including our starter boxes, kindle kits, and Firekits, which are all cardboard.

We have also replaced the plastic in our Flamers 24 pack with corn starch. We continue to drive forward our desire to become as close to carbon neutral as possible over the coming years.

What makes your company unique?

We are the pioneers of kiln dried firewood and, having developed the unique kiln drying process nearly 20 years ago, we are now the UK’s largest specialist firewood producer. We have an extremely dedicated team that have a mass of experience and in-depth industry knowledge, and customer service that is second to none! Over the years, we have built a strong brand with a strong reputation and finally, for real uniqueness, we have developed the new KindleFlamer: a super-fired, long Flamer that negates the need for kindling to light the fire. This is potentially a real gamechanger for fire lighting!

What should site owners keep in mind regarding safety and storage of the wood?

Kiln dried logs and kindling should be kept under cover to prevent them getting wet, keeping them off any damp ground and well ventilated would be our recommendation to maintain quality. All Certainly Wood products have great, easy-to-use instructions on them, making it safe & easy for your guests to follow, and freeing up your time showing people how to light a fire.

Do you offer bulk discounts for larger purchases?

Yes, we have discounts available on multiple pallets of logs, along with a discounted rate on full pallets of kindling and Flamers.

Email hchamberlain@certainlywood.co.uk to request a full trade price list, product information and sample requests.

What are the average wait times from door-to-door?

All our pallets are delivered via our 3rd party carrier that offers national distribution. Delivery is generally 3-5 working days or 1-2 days for smaller parcels via a courier service. There are some premium delivery services we offer that can get deliveries faster, but we encourage all customers to plan ahead to avoid any out of stock situations.

Do you offer any follow-up services?

We offer fantastic customer service and a huge amount of knowledge to help get your venture off to the best possible start!

Tell us a bit about your company –how did it begin?

Naked Flame has been supplying the glamping industry with beautifully handcrafted and totally off-grid Scandinavian products since 2014.

What product(s) do you offer for the glamping industry?

New for 2022, the Cucina range takes the outdoor cooking experience to another level. Constructed from premium Thermowood, it boasts a huge full-end viewing window to show off any amazing view from the comfort of the dining table, as well as another halfmoon window in the kitchen area. This design really brings the outdoor dining experience indoors, usable all year round.

Designed with the DeliVita wood-fired oven and flue system to enable indoor cooking, this combination really provides an amazing off-grid cooking solution. Sizes are available in 3m, 4m & 5m lengths and both the kitchen and seating areas can be designed around each owner’s needs. All food preparation areas are constructed using the best 316 stainless steel and ample kitchen storage is provided, as well as under-seat storage.

What type of fuel is needed? Wood-fired (kiln dried).

Probably the most important question: with energy bills rising, what are the approximate running costs for site owners?

Running costs are minimal as the DeliVita oven only requires a handful of small logs for a full evening’s use.

Can the heat and/or flame height be adjusted?

The DeliVita ovens can be used for highheat cooking as well as slow cooking on a low heat. Amazing pizzas in a couple of minutes to the best steak you have ever tasted with a true wood-fired unique taste. Fantastic fish, seafood or slow cooked chicken and roast vegetables – the possibilities are endless.

Are they suitable for off-grid sites?

Absolutely! As with all of our products: low cost, extremely efficient off-grid dining with an amazing “wow” factor.

What safety features do you offer/recommend?

All Cucinas are supplied with a twin walled flue system which is safe to touch whilst being used. The Delivita oven also boasts the same safety. A permanently open air vent, openable window and double doors are standard as well as a carbon monoxide monitor for total peace of mind.

What are the safety clearances for your product, if applicable?

Flue clearance must be 1 metre from any other structure.

What factors are there to consider when determining placement? e.g. Can they be placed on decking, grass, or concrete, or under a pergola?

The Cucina can be placed on any solid, level surface.

Do you offer weatherproofing – will they need to be covered when not in use?

Every Cucina is delivered with an extra wood protection on top of the extremely stable 42mm thick Thermowood wall construction and can happily sit out in all weather.

How easy is the installation; can owners do it themselves or do you offer a service?

Every Cucina is beautifully hand-crafted and fully built in Scandinavia. Delivered directly, the customer must be able to unload and place where it will live. This is easily done with a forklift or telehandler – Naked Flame is happy to help arrange this.

Do you offer any warranties?

Naked Flame offers a 5-year warranty with all Cucina models.

Tell us a bit about your company –how did it begin?

Charlton and Jenrick has been designing and manufacturing household fires, fireplaces and stoves for over 36 years. Founded in Telford, Shropshire by Bill Jenrick and Barry Charlton, it has grown to become a very successful privately owned business supplying the worldwide fireplace trade in 14 countries.

What product(s) do you offer for the glamping industry?

The specialist Go Eco Adventurer 5 glamping stove is our best seller into the industry, joined in 2022 by the Go Eco Bakechef – a full sized wood burning cooker, oven and heating stove. Many of our regular domestic stoves such as those in the Purevision or Fireline ranges are commonly used in a glamping setting too. All our products are certified to the requirements for domestic space heating BS/ EN13240, Ecodesign and clearSkies level 4 or 5, going far beyond the baseline for glamping accommodation.

What type of fuel is needed?

All our stoves are wood log burning, and several models also include multi-fuel capability in case it’s necessary to burn smokeless briquette products. Seasoned or kiln-dried hardwood logs are the best fuel to use, and if obtained from a sustainable source or as a byproduct of forestry, are amongst the very lowest environmental impact fuels possible. Smoke particle emissions from modern certified wood stoves is up to 90% lower than an open fire and 80% less than an old stove, making wood burning a better choice than ever before.

Probably the most important question: with energy bills rising, what are the approximate running costs for site owners?

For those fortunate enough to have access to forestry thinning logs or tree surgery arisings,

fuel costs can be extremely low. As a second tier costwise, reliable suppliers of bulk log deliveries should be sought out and a large, sheltered stack built to season (air-dry) logs for next year’s heating needs. Kiln-dried or pre-seasoned logs are available in bulk as well. As a different approach, bagged dry logs can be obtained commercially by the pallet load as a re-sale opportunity to visitors and site users. This also works well for summer fire-pit, brazier or barbecue activities.

Can the heat and/or flame height be adjusted?

All our stoves have fully featured air controls to maintain and optimise the burn. Primary, secondary and tertiary air staging ensures that complete and efficient combustion conditions maximise heat output and minimise emissions.

Are they suitable for off-grid sites?

Yes, all our stoves will keep you toasty warm and fed, completely independent of any power or gas supply grids.

What safety features do you offer/ recommend?

C&J have developed bespoke heat shielding solutions for the Adventurer 5 that make installation and achieving safety distance from combustible materials easy and safe. Always use twin wall flue pipes through roofs and near any timber materials for safety and longevity.

For safe, practical assistance, Adventurer has many accessories available such as side warming shelves, a rail for the hot plate, lift off insulated oven, splash back, log store and two bolt-on heatshield solutions. Always use a Ready To Burn accredited supplier for wood that is going to be used straight away. Never, ever burn treated wood (dangerous toxins are released) or wet/just cut wood (tar, excessive smoke and low heat output).

What are the safety clearances for your product, if applicable?

Depending on the heat shield options chosen, our stoves can be placed as close as 50 to 75mm from combustible materials. Always check flue system distances to combustibles as

well because 3 x diameter must be respected for single wall flues, whereas 50mm clearance is typical for an approved twin wall flue.

What factors are there to consider when determining placement? e.g. Can they be placed on decking, grass, or concrete, or under a pergola?

Stoves need a stable and solid base which can be as simple as firm ground in the case of the Adventurer with freestanding heat shield kit. For other stoves we would recommend a superimposed non-combustible hearth at least 12mm thick be used to add stability and prevent any fuel spillage causing damage to timber or other combustible materials.

Common sense applies, as stoves can be safely sited in a multitude of situations with some ingenuity and awareness of heat and products of combustion risk.

Do you offer weatherproofing – will they need to be covered when not in use?

C&J stoves are intended for indoor use only so weather shelter is essential unless a very rustic appearance is desired.

How easy is the installation; can owners do it themselves or do you offer a service?

C&J partner with a UK wide retailer network that can arrange installation if required.

Glamping accommodation is not subject to the same strict installer qualification rules as domestic houses, but this is not a license to carry out dangerous installations without due consideration of the risks that heat and products of combustion can pose. In safety matters, an overriding duty of care applies, and C&J products can help enormously in achieving this. All risks are easily manageable and our partners can assist in achieving safe and durable installations.

Do you offer any warranties?

All C&J Go Eco products carry a 3-year parts and manufacturing defect warranty. In fact, there is very little to go wrong in normal service, and the vast majority of customers never need anything beyond spares and service to enjoy long and pleasurable service from their stove.

Tell us a bit about your company –how did it begin?

We have been building rustic cabins and such for several years. Using our mobile sawmill we build from locally sourced timber and offer bespoke solutions, so no two builds are the same.

What product(s) do you offer for the glamping industry?

We now supply Weltevree® products to accompany our cabin builds, these are outdoor lifestyle products that really accompany our rustic style and go well in any outdoor setting.

Quality products from the Netherlands, Weltevree® have a range of outdoor cookers that we stock in the UK.

What type of fuel is needed? Good firewood.

Probably the most important question: with energy bills rising, what are the approximate

running costs for site owners?

It really is just down to getting a hold of decent firewood – the outdoor ovens don’t use a lot and the XL oven generates its own charcoal!

Can the heat and/ or flame height be adjusted?

The standard outdoor oven isn’t adjustable, but the XL oven is a jack of all trades; you can really hone your cooking skills, making pizza as well as grilling and barbecuing at the same time!

Are they suitable for off-grid sites?

The outdoor ovens are totally off-grid.

What safety features do you offer/ recommend?

Weltevree® do a nice set of oven gloves!

What are the safety clearances for your product, if applicable?

These are to be used outdoors but still need to be away from combustible materials.

What factors are there to consider when determining placement? e.g. Can they be placed on decking, grass, or concrete, or under a pergola?

We can supply a metal sheet for the ovens to sit on in case of damage to grass or decking.

Do you offer weatherproofing –will they need to be covered when not in use?

The cool thing with these ovens is they are made from 3mm thick COR-TEN steel of the highest quality and will last at least 10

years. Designed to go rusty, they just live outside with no need to cover up! An eyecatcher in any garden.

How easy is the installation; can owners do it themselves or do you offer a service?

Very easy to install, anyone can do it! The XL oven is quite heavy, but other than that it’s very easy to set up.

Do you offer any warranties?

Weltevree® products all carry a 12 month warranty.

Tell us a bit about your company –how did it begin?

It all started 13 years ago with the design and production of safari tents. YALA is the largest supplier of high-quality canvas lodges in Europe and to date we have built approximately 8000 canvas lodges in more than 53 countries.

What product(s) do you offer for the glamping industry?

Our portfolio consists of eleven different models of canvas lodges with a broad range of varieties. It includes the more basic tents up to high-end modular tent structures, allowing us to tailor our canvas lodges to the customer’s requirements. Along with our design partner RAY Tensile Design, we also provide customised tent designs and concept development.

For glamping site owners, extending the rental season is a key priority. For this reason, we offer several heating solutions and work closely with Solvos4, a specialist in pellet stoves. Pellet stoves have the charm of a flame and heat your glamping tents carbon-neutrally. Our latest solution is infrared floor and ceiling-mounted heating –this solution heats walls, floors and furniture evenly, efficiently and comfortably.

What type of fuel is needed?

For the pellet stoves, you need pellet grains. These are made from wood residues and wood waste, and are a solid and clean fuel. For the infrared heating, you only need electricity.

Probably the most important question: with energy bills rising, what are the approximate running costs for site owners?

Pellet stoves are cost-saving. Heating with pellets reduces heating costs by at least 40% when compared to heating with natural gas, and more than 70% compared to using propane.

Infrared heating ensures lower consumption costs compared to alternative solutions. A 22m2 infrared floor heating system consumes 3500 watts per hour; on average, this equates to €0.45 per hour. Our infrared heating covers consume 250 watts per hour, which averages €0.04 per cover per hour. Plus, it features an automatic cut-off switch to prevent the system from running too long, reducing costs.

Can the heat and/or flame height be adjusted?

Every pellet stove has a thermostat to regulate the temperature. The infrared heating is set to a maximum temperature of 40⁰C, with an automatic off switch.

Are they suitable for off-grid sites?

If there is a way to generate electricity, for example, by solar panels, our heating solutions can be used off-grid.

What safety features do you offer/ recommend?

Thanks to the specially developed exhaust system and our high-quality canvas, the use of pellet stoves is completely safe in our tents.

Infrared heating is the safest heating solution available; the temperature never exceeds 40⁰C and has been extensively tested by electrical inspection.

What are the safety clearances for your product, if applicable?

The pellet stove should be installed at a safe distance from the canvas walls. For infrared heating, there is no safety distance – it’s safe to touch.

What factors are there to consider when determining placement?

e.g. Can they be placed on decking, grass, or concrete, or under a pergola?

Our heating solutions are only available for use in our glamping tents. A pellet stove can be placed on wooden floors, keeping some distance from the inner canvas. Infrared floor heating is installed with specific layers of material and covered with vinyl.

How easy is the installation; can owners do it themselves or do you offer a service?

We always offer an installation service with the pellet stoves, but we provide all necessary materials and a manual, should owners wish to do it themselves.

We have skilled installers to take care of the infrared heating installation.

Do you offer any warranties?

Solvos4 provides a 2-year guarantee from the installation date – the only requirement is that a recognised installer installs the pellet stove. We also offer a 2-year warranty on the heater and accessories. The lifespan of infrared heaters is approximately 20 years.

HOT

Tell us a bit about your company –how did it begin?

I was a landscaper and garden designer for 15 years before opening our showroom. There was nowhere local to view a wide range of materials and products under one roof, so I decided to create Gardenology.

What product(s) do you offer for the glamping industry?

Gardenology has 4 indoor display gardens, over 120 different porcelain paving tiles to choose from, clay pavers, composite and wooden decking and cladding, artificial grass and wall panels all on show to be viewed in person. We also have wood fired hot tubs, gas BBQs and grills, pizza ovens, fire pits and water features on display.

What type of fuel is needed?

Our pizza ovens run on wood or gas. The large Whistler grills run on gas and our fire pits are all wood-fired. Our heaters for hot tubs run on wood-fired heaters and heat a standard tank in 1 to 2 hours.

What are the approximate running costs for site owners?

Wood-fired products are the cheapest to run and very economical. Buying wood loose in bulk is the most cost effective way to use the products.

Can the heat and/or flame height be adjusted?

The heat can be adjusted on the gas grills and the gas pizza ovens. The wood-fired ovens have a door to control the heat and only require a small amount of wood to reach cooking temperatures. The wood fired heaters for the hot tubs are fully enclosed and once the desired temperature is reached, can be left to keep the water hot for hours.

Are they suitable for off-grid sites?

All of our products are suitable for off-grid sites.

What safety features do you offer?

Our grills and pizza ovens come with covers, and the heaters and fire pits are made from materials

suited for outdoor use and do not require covers. The hot tubs come with canvas covers or wooden lids to keep debris out and the heat in.

What factors are there to consider when determining placement?

The hot tubs can be placed on any level surface and the heaters on a concrete slab or hard standing area – but would advise against decking. Pizza ovens and grills can go on any surface, and the fire pits are best on gravel.

How easy is the installation; can owners do it themselves or do you offer a service?

The products are easy to install and come with instructions. We can offer installation for the wood-fired hot tubs but these are easy to fit together on site. The tanks are light so can be moved easily, and the heaters have connectors and pipes which all fit together with clamps.

LANDSCAPING Round-Up

The new EK1 Series from Escorts-Kubota combines simple operation and powerful performance in a new compact entrylevel package. The versatility and range of practical accessories and options available makes the EK1-261 perfect for the smallholding and home owner markets, delivering robust efficiency for tasks such as mowing, landscaping and light soil work.

The fuel-efficient 3-cylinder 24hp Stage V diesel engine powering the EK1-261 is reliable in demanding conditions, protected by a one-piece cowling that is quick and simple to remove ensuring easy access to engine maintenance points – all without the need for tools. Shifting between the nine forward and three reverse gears is also easy thanks to the ergonomic shift lever and constant mesh transmission system which enables gear changes while on the move.

Compact at just 2.67m in length and 1.035m wide, the highly-manoeuvrable EK1-261 also doesn’t compromise when it comes to comfort with a range of features including optimally-positioned controls, a weightadjustable operators seat and foldable ROPS protection enhancing both productivity and safety. Whilst simple in many aspects, the small details on the EK1-261 such as the

NEW ENTRY LEVEL KUBOTA SERIES

charging socket and mobile phone holder have not been overlooked for a practical and more enjoyable operator experience.

A high-capacity rear hitch and impressive lifting capacity completes the specification, intuitive to operate via the powerful threepoint rear linkage. The EK1-261 has an opencentre hydraulic system and is also equipped with a double-acting spool valve.

The EK1-261 comes with 5-year Kubota Care as standard - delivering full peace of mind and access to expert trained technicians & genuine Kubota parts to protect your investment and ensure optimal performance. Those interested in finding out more about the new EK1 Series will be able to see the EK1-261 as it makes its UK show debut on stand C070 at SALTEX this November.

THE LATEST GREEN TECHNOLOGY IN GROUNDS CARE

The trend towards sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices in grounds care is gathering pace. Today, an increased number of landscapers and contractors are looking for products that can deliver quality results but also reduce carbon footprints to the environment.

The Eco Village at SALTEX will feature a programme of daily demonstrations of cuttingedge sustainable technology – offering visitors an opportunity of seeing a number of products in action.

Furthermore, industry experts, within this village, will offer advice on green technology and how it could benefit current working practices.

Visit the SALTEX website at saltex.org.uk for the Eco Village line-up for 2022 and book your place at your sessions of interest.

www.iseki.co.uk

Tell us a bit about your company?

ISEKI compact tractors and mowers have been designed, built and manufactured in Japan for over 90 years. ISEKI products have been sold in Europe for over 50 years.

What products do you offer?

ISEKI products are specifically designed for turf maintenance with some of the highest lift capacity to weight ratios on the market.

ISEKI compact tractors are small, light and manoeuvrable, ideal for maintaining sports turf by adding your choice of scarifiers, aerators or other implements to these machines.

All tractors are supplied with agricultural or turf tyres as standard and optional front loaders. Spacious and comfortable operator platforms reduce fatigue, whilst the intuitive operator controls enable the machine to be safely used by a range of staff.

Renowned for the ultimate cut and collect abilities, the ISEKI mower range offers a variety of finishes - whether cut and drop, cut and collect, or cut, mulch and drop. All with a choice of rotary or flail decks at varying widths to suit the application, alternatively scarifying blades can be added to certain units to complete other turf maintenance tasks using the same machine.

What is unique about your products?

ISEKI pride themselves in producing high quality reliable products. From the ride-on mowers starting with the 40” deck SXG216, up to the impressive SF5551 with a 60 inch or 72” deck and 1300 litre collector. ISEKI products typify Japanese quality and design.

Our range of mowers are suitable for any tasks from brush-cutting, to extensive mowing, leaving a superior finish, along with the ability to cut and collect, whatever the weather throws at you. There is no machine that can rival its performance on the market.

How important is landscaping when creating a glamping site?

Incredibly important! First impressions count and the feel of the site makes customers return year after year. Especially when customers are spending all their time on the site enjoying the outside space, whether it is landscaped or just kept neat and tidy. The ability to cut and collect the grass also avoids the annoyance of walking it around their tents, getting all their items covered in wet or dried grass, making a more pleasant experience and less cleaning once they have left!

What are the average running costs for your products, if any?

Being diesel engines, ISEKI machinery will require minimal maintenance and low running costs. They will just require regular oil checks and top up of fuel as and when needed, then its annual service.

Are there any rules or regulations owners must abide to?

Most products are road homologated so can be driven on the roads from site to site. Road registration would be required, but this offers extra flexibility when working between sites.

General safe working practices as would be applied for any mechanical equipment.

How much wear and tear can your products withstand; do you offer any warranties?

They are incredibly hard wearing machines that are designed and built for contractor use everyday, with long working hours.

How available is your customer service?

Sold through local dealers throughout the UK, they provide back up and support to their customers. ISEKI customer support is at the forefront of the business. To find your local ISEKI dealer visit our website.

WOW FACTOR

It was the first year for Banbury Shepherd’s Huts at the Glamping Show, how did you find it and what did you think of the show’s visitors? Attendance seemed daunting at first, however this was made easier by the organisers. The years of experience were evident and everyone was so helpful and friendly from initial set-up, both during the show and the break-down at the end.

It was invaluable to have direct feedback from show visitors viewing our huts, and it was very encouraging to hear the exclaimed “wow”s as they walked into our Oxford

Shepherd Hut. It made all the hard work seem a distance away and was so rewarding.

What did you learn from the show?

Both larger glamping sites and the smaller bed and breakfast sites have a requirement for a high quality huts at an entry level. At Banbury Shepherd’s Huts, we’re excited to have such a hut in production, ready for January 2023. It will be in our 16ft x 8ft range, fully fitted out and designed to give years of use. At just £32,400, we believe this to be competitive in the market for a professionally built hut with warranty.

DOME SWEET DOME

British dome manufacturer TruDomes is leading innovation in glamping design with a combination of technical expertise and an instinctive feel for creative use of space.

With over 30 years’ experience in manufacturing, the company has outstanding engineering credentials which have driven advances in product performance. Each geodesic dome structure is constructed from lightweight yet robust and rust-free aluminium, providing extremely durable systems which combine all-weather, low-maintenance use with easy transportation and set-up in remote locations.

The dome frames are fitted with hardwearing PVC shells and triple-lined foil insulation to keep interiors cool in summer and warm in winter, enabling glamping sites to attract year-round bookings. Their multi-angled surface enables solar panels to charge up more efficiently – an especially valuable feature during a global energy crisis.

We also believe that three categories of huts available in the market for buyers – the boutique style, similar in style to a boutique hotel; the rustic style for those who wish to feel closer to nature with more basic facilities, and the traditional shepherd hut that meets modern day requirements – all add to the enjoyable experience. Our huts are often built to the client’s specification, and our entrylevel huts also fit into this category.

What do you see as the future for Banbury Shepherd’s Huts?

We are not a large volume manufacturer and have no wish to be all things to all people. We engage with other professionals for certification of electrics, solid fuel, and gas. Our crafted skills are carpentry, a key aspect of our family heritage. Dominic, a skilled carpenter, continues this family line and meticulously builds each hut, having met exacting standards that ensure each hut is fit for purpose and will give many years of service, whatever its use.

Tel: 01295 587227 Email: enquiries@banburyshepherdshuts.co.uk

TruDomes has proved to be equally adept at the art of interior design. Perhaps more than any other type of glamping unit, a dome provides a blank canvas to express your own style and incorporate features which enhance the holiday experience. TruDomes has helped clients to customise their domes with distinctive themes or trends, from safari and farmhouse, to the classic nautical look. The TruDomes team have an acute understanding of the finer points that can set a glampsite apart from its competitors and inspire glowing customer reviews.

From portholes for pets and blackoutlined curtains, to wet room showers and solid wood doors, TruDomes offer a wide range of upgrades to create a bespoke specification. Their signature panoramic windows are removable on those hot days when you want to open out the interior. For the colder seasons, porthole windows

can be adapted to accommodate the fitting of a log burner flue kit, providing a cosy winter warmer and an instant selling point.

That attention to detail has received widespread recognition with multiple industry awards. Having established itself as a market leader in the UK, TruDomes has successfully expanded into Europe and has just launched a US presence with an appearance at The Glamping Show USA in Denver.

To find out more about TruDomes’ range, visit trudomes.com

CEDAR

Cedar Tree Pods are an award-winning family business based in North East Wales. Making stunning glamping pods and bespoke builds for glamping start ups and businesses across the UK and beyond!

We pride ourselves on quality and use only the very best materials and craftsmanship. That is why all of our builds have a 10 year structural warranty as standard. If you want top quality, then look no further than Cedar Tree Pods!

XL Family Ensuite

Last year we have launched our 4m wide XL Family Ensuite pods. These pods are a cut above the rest. Measuring 4 meters wide x 6-8 meters long and with enough room to include bunk beds and an en-suite, they really are something to shout about! These pods are perfect for families wanting a luxury glamping getaway and would make an excellent addition to any glamping site.

XL Grande Ensuite

Our brand new website showcases our classic XL Grande Ensuite pods, which are perfect for setting up your luxury glamping pod site. These pods really are the ultimate in luxury glamping. Measuring at 3.3m x 6m and with the option of an ensuite, there is no need for the use of shared facilities. With extra headroom and an impressive floor space of up to 21m2 these pods can truly make you stand out from the crowd!

Bespoke Builds

If it is something a bit more unique that you are after, take a look at our luxury bespoke builds. With our ever-present focus on quality, luxury, design and craftsmanship we can design truly exceptional bespoke, quality builds to meet and exceed your needs and expectations.

For more information visit out website www.cedartreepods.co.uk

New for 2022 the “Cucina” range takes the outdoor cooking experience to another level. Constructed from premium Thermowood and boasting a huge full-end viewing window to show off any amazing view from the comfort of the dining table as well as another half moon window in the kitchen area, this design really brings the outdoor dining experience indoors and is usable all year round. Designed with the DeliVita woodfired oven and flue system to enable indoor cooking, this combination really provides an amazing off grid cooking solution. Sizes are available in 3m, 4m & 5m lengths and both the kitchen and seating areas can be designed around each owner’s specific needs. All food preparation areas are constructed using the best 316 stainless steel and ample kitchen storage is provided as well as under seat storage.

The DeliVita ovens can be used for high heat cooking as well as slow cooking on low heat. Amazing pizzas in a couple of minutes, to the best steak you have ever tasted with a true woodfired unique taste. Fantastic fish, seafood or slow cooked chicken and roast vegetables? The possibilities are endless.

All Cucinas are supplied with a twin walled flue system which is safe to touch whilst being used. The Delivita oven also boasts the same safety. A permanently open air vent, openable window and double doors are standard as well as a carbon monoxide monitor for total peace of mind.

Every Cucina is delivered with an extra wood protection on top of the extremely stable 42mm thick Thermowood wall construction and can happily sit out in all weather.

Every Cucina is beautifully hand-crafted and fully built in Scandinavia and delivered directly the customer. Where would yours go?