Glamping Business Americas | February 2021

a i g r Geo mind y m on AN INTERVIEW WITH GEORGIA GLAMPING

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

I S S U E 1 , F E B RUA R Y/ M A RC H 2 0 2 1

THE EAGLE HAS LANDED CREATING THE WORLD’S LARGEST TREEHOUSE RESORT

TENTED STRUCTURES PRODUCT ROUND-UP

INFORMATION AND INSPIRATION FOR GLAMPING OPERATORS

Glamping Business Americas is published

by The Glamping Show USA and Upgrade Publishing Address: 1129 Maricopa Hwy B150 Ojai, CA 93023 USA Publishers: Upgrade Publishing Steph Curtis-Raleigh e: steph@upgradepublishing.com

Welcome W

elcome to our first issue of Glamping Business Americas. We’re excited to be bringing the first business-to-business trade publication to Glamping sector in the Americas. Our circulation spans the geography from Canada down to the tip of South America. Our hope is to bring you interesting and educational content, news, and more. There’s a wealth of information in these pages from some incredibly knowledgeable folk, including Ruben Martinez, who many of you will know as the co-Founder of Glamping Hub and the American Glamping Association. Also in this issue: with so many couples forced to postpone weddings in the pandemic, international wedding expert Kelly Chandler predicts a boom in outdoor celebrations for glamping sites.

Our friends at Burns Levinson (Law) in Boston outline the responsibilities for hospitality providers to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act and the opportunities offered by reaching out to this huge market of travelers.

And John Morris, a experienced international

Editor: Will Rusbridge Advertising sales: t: 1-805-258-2836 e: david@glampingshow.us Design: Melissa Douglass i for detail www.ifdetail.com www.glampingbusinessamericas.com Events: The Glamping Show USA w: www.glampingshowusa.com e: david@glampingshowus.com The Glamping Show w: www.glampingshow.com e: dan.w@theglampingshow.com © Upgrade Publishing Ltd. Glamping Business Americas is published four 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.

Subscribe for free at

www.glampingbusinessamericas.com

travel writer (and power chair user) talks about Glamping and the opportunities to expand your markets by targeting the disability community.

Todd WynneParry has written an excellent in-depth piece on choosing your location and we have rounded up several tented structures providers and asked them to tell you about their products and service that you need to know.

We hope you enjoy it!

David Korse PS If you have comments and/or suggestions for future content, please let us know!

CONTENTS 07

Letter from Ruben Martinez -

AGA co-Founder

09

Glamping weddings will be huge by

Kelly Chandler

14

Americans with Disabilities Act in the

Glamping Space

17

John Morris says Do your best for all

your guests

19

Tented Structures - the definitive guide

32

Firelight Camps; fan investment flames

34

Eagles Nest: Reaching high

37

C4: Giving Navy Seal families a respite

38

Todd Wynne-Parry’s guide to selecting

the perfect site

41

Kate Morel on glamping that rocks

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NEWS OLDEST OUTDOOR GROUP IN U.S CHALLENGES YOU TO SPEND 2 HOURS This winter, the Appalachian Mountain Club (www.outdoors.org), the oldest outdoor group in the United States, challenges you to spend two hours of outdoor exercise every week. AMC’s Colby Meehan, Leadership Training Manager, reveals six survival tips for thriving, surviving and basking in everything Mother Nature has to offer during winter 2021:

1. Plan your adventure: Avoid a 911 emergency

by mapping out your exact route, choosing an alternate route for emergencies and

calculating how long your round trip

excursion will be. Make a trip plan and bring

things like high-energy snacks and water for a

more enjoyable day out.

2. Find the forecast: Check the forecast before you go by listening/watching/reading your favorite weather predictions in advance. This will help you prepare for the appropriate climate while you are out and about. Observe weather changes as they emerge and change your plan for the day as needed to avoid severe weather.

3. Dress appropriately: Carry the right gear based on the weather predictions to pack appropriately. Understanding how to layer for winter makes a world of difference.

Avoiding fabrics like cotton and opting for

ones like polyester or wool can turn a miserable, risky outing into a pleasant one. For good measure, take extra pairs of gloves, mittens and socks for especially cold temperatures.

4. Build a safe and protected outdoor living space: To guarantee a fun and safe small

gathering under COVID conditions, you

can create the perfect outdoor living space

on a variety of different budgets. Fire pits are

affordable, secure heat sources, and

waterproof seating offers comfort while

keeping you dry. Prep meals in advance so

you can focus on fun and enjoy your time

outside. Maintain social distancing guidelines

from other campsites when making your own.

Finally, remember the Leave No Trace

principles when you leave.

5. Outdoor recreation and wellness: Winter brings a multitude of activities and sports.

It can be as advanced as snowboarding and skiing; but you can also have a blast without snow by jogging, picnicking or hiking. Studies show that spending at least 120 minutes outdoors every week boosts your well-being.

6. Explore the city outdoors: City dwellers also have ways to revel outside during COVID. Whether you decide to walk around your neighborhood for 20 minutes a day or take up birdwatching in a local park for an afternoon, time spent outside is good for you.

The mission of the Appalachian Mountain Club is to foster the protection, enjoyment and understanding of the outdoors. For more information, please visit www.outdoors.org.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL PRESIDENT? Joe Biden wasted no time in overturning many of his predecessor’s environmental policies and rejoining the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.

Within hours of being sworn in, he issued an executive order to overturn many of the 200 policies, which had been approved during the last six months of Trump’s presidency.

This jump-start on climate change by the new President is predicted to be followed by large-scale spending on green infrastructure, such as green power and electric vehicles, although green energy standards for businesses may be a lot further off. All in all, combined with the increased interest in staycations by Americans due to the pandemic, an increased focus on environmentally friendly businesses spells good news for the glamping industry.

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NEWS NEW BRUTREK COFFEE GEAR IDEAL FOR GLAMPING DESTINATIONS Planetary Design, LLC, is excited to announce the addition of the new BruTrek 32 and 48 tabletop French presses to its lineup of BruTrek coffee gear.

The BruTrek 32 and 48 are the ideal coffee-making amenities for use in tents, domes, cabins and other accommodation at glamping destinations.

The BruTrek 32 and 48 brew up to 32 or 48 fluid ounces of coffee, respectively, and feature Planetary’s Bru-Stop plunger for a fresh-tasting cup from the first sip to the last. Also available is the 24-fluid-ounce OVRLNDR Press, which was released in 2020 and features a patented removable base for easy cleanup of leftover coffee grounds.

“Our newest BruTrek French presses are the ideal way for your glamping guests to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee after waking up in their tent,” said Jess Nepstad, CEO of Planetary Design. “They’re easy to use, insulated to keep coffee hot and there’s no glass to break. Plus, they can be customized to put your brand in your guests’ hands. From French presses to cups and storage containers, we’ve got what you need to outfit your glamping destination with coffee amenities.”

The BruTrek 32 and 48 incorporate features Planetary Design has perfected in its 15 years of designing French presses. These include

rugged stainless steel construction for use in the outdoors, double-wall vacuum insulation to keep coffee hot, a pour spout cover and Planetary’s Bru-Stop plunger and plate assembly, which stops the brewing process once fully depressed to prevent coffee from becoming overly bitter. The OVRLNDR Press features similar double-wall stainless steel construction, the Bru-Stop plunger and a spill-proof lid. Its removable base eases cleanup of grounds left over from the brewing process – when finished, simply unscrew and

dump into the trash or compost.

Planetary Design’s coffee gear can be ordered in wholesale quantities and can be customized with logos for glamping destinations. Capabilities include single-color screen printing, two-color pad printing and laser engraving.

For more information about Planetary Design’s BruTrek brand of coffee brewing gear and drinkware, as well as the company’s Airscape line of coffee storage containers, visit https:// planetarydesign.com/.

THE COCO SEED CONES OF COSTA RICA The Coco Seed Cones are uniquely designed seed-shaped pods that form part of Art Villas Resort, located in the middle of a tropical jungle in Costa Rica. Designed by architecture studio Archwerk, “Coco” is the name of the complex that is made up of five of the small seed-shaped villas which are connected by an open terrace.

Surrounded by trees with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, The Coco Seed Cones are the newest addition to the resort which already boasts a collection of villas, each of which has been designed by a different architectural firm, and a multifunctional tropical pavilion with facilities for guests.

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The accommodation comprises of a bedroom with ensuite and the shared facilities include an open terrace, abundant living space, private kitchen, a pool, waterslide, trampoline and nest rest. Set above the wild tropical forest, each of the pods boasts incredible views of the surrounding area.

The interiors have been designed by Formafatal, led by Dagmar Štěpánová, who have successfully found a balance between the beautiful natural surroundings and the luxury finish of the interior.

Art Villas Resort can be found near to the Costa Rican town of Uvita and overlooks Playa Hermosa, which recently became the first beach in Central America to be awarded the title of “World Surfing Reserve.”

During a stay at the resort, guests can enjoy access to the spa pavilion with yoga sessions, massages and sauna and use of the professional fitness room.

To find out more about the Art Villas Resort, you can find their website at artvillas.com.

AG A C O LU M N

Letter from AGA founder: THE FUTURE OF THE GLAMPING INDUSTRY

BY RUBEN MARTINEZ

W

hen the pandemic began and shook the travel industry, there were several predictions that caused excitement for the future of the glamping industry even as the first several weeks of the pandemic ripped through the global economy. As the stay at home orders grew and it became obvious that we would not see the end of this for a while, a lot of knowns surfaced right alongside countless unknowns.

One of those clear knowns was that glamping proved to be the perfect travel outlet for the state of the world and checked all of the boxes for travellers who were faced with a new set of challenges. We know that people are not ready to be crammed into cruise ships but are ready to have remote experiences in safari tents near national parks. They are still weary of traveling by air but are flocking in record numbers to destinations

“It will take time, but traditional hospitality will bounce back at some point.

But we have witnessed a global embrace of glamping and the realization that glamping has become the gateway to the outdoors for a large set of displaced travelers looking to experience outdoor lodging for the first time.”

that provide fresh air such as driving to a yurt two hours from their home. We know that after being quarantined for significant periods of time, travelers are not ready for their first meaningful trip to be eerily similar to the past several months of their lives and are choosing treehouses and tipis over hotel rooms. They are choosing glamping in record numbers that myself and this industry have never seen before. There has been, and continues to be, a rush to outdoor hospitality focused on hyper local destinations. This past season our member operators quickly experienced 100% capacity and even after raising their rates which set them on a new trajectory that was impossible to precisely predict.

It will take time, but traditional hospitality will bounce back at some point. But we have witnessed a global embrace of glamping and the realization that glamping has become the gateway to the outdoors for a large set of displaced travelers looking to experience outdoor lodging for the first time.

We have also learned that this has become the perfect time for new operators to enter the market and existing operators to expand as the demand has far exceeded

the supply in the space. A natural and swift development surge unlike anything we have ever seen has emerged. Capital providers have turned their heads toward this bright light in the travel space and it has forever made believers among investors drawn in by the immense opportunity.

Substantial investment in the space has arrived and we will continue to see clear examples of its appetite on a daily basis.

What is clear from the daily data that we study is that travel isn’t changing, it has already changed.

The pandemic did not create this shift but rather accelerated a trend that had already been picking up incredible momentum over the past several years in the United States and globally. We are extremely proud of the work our members have put in this past year. They have taken on projects and unique concepts at unprecedented levels and continue to push boundaries and challenge the status quo in the outdoor travel space. When people ask about the future of the industry it is hard to communicate my excitement and sheer optimism. But what I can say is that it has been our privilege to serve the glamping community which I firmly believe is barely scratching the surface and has unlimited potential.

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I N T E RV I E W

Georgia GLAMPING COMPANY Georgia Glamping Company was created when founders Nathan and Rebeka Self were returning from a holiday that featured particularly noisy hotel neighbours. They started their first site at Lake Lanier and have since opened up a second location at Clarks Hill. International Glamping Business Editor Will Rusbridge caught up with Nathan and Rebeka to talk about their company.

T

he idea for Georgia Glamping Company was formed in 2018 while Nathan, Rebeka and their family were road tripping back from spending a long weekend at the beach with noisy neighbors.

“We liked the idea of getting the family away from fancy hotels, away from their technology and having them experience the great outdoors much like we did when we were kids. We dreamed of unique, one-of-a-kind getaways where people can explore on their own terms. Rebeka grew up

“We are always looking for new locations that would be a good fit for our brand. We have several new locations that are in the planning phase!”

camping with her family a lot on the West Coast and loves all kinds of camping. Nathan prefers nice hotels. Glamping was a perfect compromise for our family, and we knew that if our family needed this compromise, there had to be other families out there needing it as well.”

Georgia Glamping Company’s first site was Lake Lanier, located in Georgia, close to Atlanta. “It is located just 40 miles north of Atlanta, Georgia, within Shady Grove Campground in Forsyth County. We approached the county in 2018 and negotiated a sublease for a portion of their 100-acre campground surrounded by beautiful Lake Lanier. We have plans to expand our footprint there this coming year and have some big things in store.”

With Lake Lanier proving successful, Nathan and Rebeka decided to start looking for a second location, which they found on the shores of Clark Hill Lake. “Clarks Hill Lake is our newest location. g l a m p i n g s h o w. u s | G l a m p i n g B u s i n e s s A m e r i c a s | 1 1

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I N T E RV I E W Located near Augusta, Georgia, within Wildwood Campground right on the shores of Clarks Hill Lake. We are so excited about this Columbia County location as it is offers amazing hiking and biking trails, a massive Disc Golf course and the Serene18 Paddle Trail.”

Having started their company due to a noisy neighbors, Nathan and Rebeka knew the importance of site design and layout when creating their locations. “It has always been important to us to provide the most comfortable and clean accommodations possible, without sacrificing luxury and stylish details. A big priority for us when designing a site is that no one is too close to their neighbors and that each site is very convenient to water access. Families make a big part of our market, so we design a lot of our interior spaces to accommodate larger families, all while keeping them versatile enough to feel comfortable for the couple or solo traveler as well.”

Both Lake Lanier and Clark Hill feature bell tents and safari tents as accommodation, which was important to the owners, “We knew we really wanted to provide the classic “tent camping” experience to people, because there is really nothing better than the sound of rain on canvas.

We started out with just bell tents, because we loved the beautiful design and the aesthetic they provide. As we grew, we knew we wanted to add additional accommodation styles. We loved the classic look of the Safari tents and that they offer more square footage and ceiling height.”

Glamping site design and the choice of accommodation type is a great way to make a glamping site stand out as they both add to the character of the place in a big way, but smaller details like amenities and optional extras are equally as important.

“We provide air conditioning and heat depending on the season. We provide hotel style linens, soft rugs, lamps with warm lighting, and an indoor seating area. We also provide mini refrigerators and Keurig coffee makers. We have optional amenities that guests can add-on as well including gourmet s’mores kits and children’s activity bags.

We actually offer quite a few optional amenities as we think it’s important for everyone to customize their stay to make it truly unique to them. We offer kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, paddle boats, giant jenga games, corn hole, dinner gazebos, propane fire pits, propane grills, charter boat rides and photography sessions.”

So, what sets Georgia Glamping Company apart from the rest? Nathan and Rebeka believe that it’s all in the details. “We have made it our passion that everything we do, we do in excellence.

Short cuts will not bring guests back to stay. The majority of our guests return and bring friends.

Encouraging feedback we have received is that our sites look exactly like the photos. We don’t want to do glamorous, staged photoshoots for our social media pages or website because we want people to see exactly what they will be getting when they stay with us. We strive for that WOW factor from the moment they show up at their Glampsite to the time they leave. Around 80% of our guests are first time campers, and we absolutely love getting to introduce them to the great outdoors in this setting.”

Speaking about their plans for the future, Nathan and Rebeka added, “More GROWTH to keep up with our demand! In our 2020 season, we were booked at 100% capacity on weekends and weekdays! We are always looking for new locations that would be a good fit for our brand.

We have several new locations that are in the planning phase!”

Asked about advice they have for other glamping site owners, they said, “Things don’t have to be over the top, but you can show your guests that you care about them through the details you provide in your accommodations. We started out with a very modest budget, but we never made shortcuts along the way.”

If you’d like to find out more about Georgia Glamping Company, you can find their website at gaglamping.com.

Nathan, Rebeka, Sydney and Cameron

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F E AT U R E A DA

Americans with Disabilities Act in the Glamping Space

BY DAVID AMIDON & KAITLIN SPURLING

W

hat if someone told you that you could increase your customer base by 61 million people? What if you could attract 26% more of the American population?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of four adults in the United States has a disability that affects their everyday activity. Some were born with them, others were affected later in life, some may be temporary, while others are permanent.

THE ADA The Americans with Disabilities Act is a U.S. federal civil rights law that prohibits all forms of discrimination against disabled individuals in their everyday activities. The definition of “disability” under the ADA includes physical impairments, such as orthopedic, visual, speech, and hearing impairments, as well as mental and psychological impairments, such as learning disabilities, intellectual or developmental disorder, organic brain syndrome, and emotional or mental illness.

The ADA ensures that disabled individuals are afforded full and equal opportunities to goods, services, privileges, and facilities at public accommodations. “Public accommodations” include places of lodging, such as inns, motels,

hotels – and notably here, glamping facilities.

So, your glamping facility qualifies as a place of lodging under the ADA, and thus is subject to its regulation.

“Readily Achievable” Standard under the ADA. In order to meet ADA accessibility standards, glamping operators must meet its “readily achievable” standard by removing existing communication and architectural barriers, so long as it’s “readily achievable”. “Readily achievable” means that the design and/or modifications must be easily accomplishable and executable, without undue difficulty or expense. Given the broad scope of this standard, how to address a particular barrier is determined on a case-by-case basis.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER In order to determine whether addressing a barrier is “readily achievable”, the following factors are weighed and balanced:

(i) the nature and cost of action; (ii) the overall financial resources involved; (iii) the number of people employed; (iv) the effect on expenses and resources; and (v) the legitimate safety requirements

necessary for safe operation.

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REQUIRED READILY ACHIEVABLE MODIFICATIONS The ADA expressly sets forth a list of modifications that they consider readily achievable which includes: Installing ramps; Making curb cuts in sidewalks and entrances; Repositioning furniture; Widening doors; Installing offset hinges; Installing grab bars in toilet stalls; Rearranging toilet partitions to increase maneuvering space; Installing a raised toilet seat; Installing a full-length bathroom mirror; and Creating designated accessible parking spaces.

This list is merely illustrative and not exhaustive, and glamping facilities will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, grounded in the circumstances of their specific glamping operation. Nonetheless, in order to avoid legal entanglements, current glamping facility operators should assess their ADA compliance, and potential new operators should evaluate their abilities to meet the “readily achievable” standard.

F E AT U R E A DA LOCAL ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS It’s safe to assume that most, if not all glamping facilities will be further regulated by local zoning ordinances and building codes. Whether a glamping facility can exist and operate where the owner/operator intends, is controlled by the zoning designation of the property. How the glamping facility is built, how it’s laid out and functions, and how it should maintain its structural integrity and amenities, are all detailed in the applicable building code. While building codes are becoming more standard, they are enforced locally, so it’s important to connect with local officials for guidance. Individual owners/operators should consider these as part of their overall accessibility compliance.

So where to begin? If you’re planning a new glamping facility, you first need to ensure that your planned facility is permitted under your local zoning ordinance. To ensure adherence to local regulations, meet with a municipal officer and/or a local building inspector for guidance on how regulations are enforced. In the designing phase, consider hiring an experienced local architect – glamping space experience optional.

This modest expense is well worth the help you’ll get in deciphering specifically what’s needed. Also, resources such as those available from Abilities Expo, Paralyzed Veterans of America, other accessibility advocacy groups, and ANSI can also help ensure accessibility compliance.

maneuverability; offer beds, furniture, toilets, and shower benches with height dimensions similar to wheelchair seat level; ensure that door knobs and other manipulated latches are easily turned, lifted, and handled; and provide light switches and kitchen controls that are within reach (typically 12”48” inches off floor).

• Technology – For the well-being of guests with vision and/or auditory impairments, be sure that life safety and other features have both visual and auditory cues (e.g., fire/smoke/CO2 alarms). Also, the use of virtual assistant AI technology (e.g., Alexa) can enhance the mobility-challenged guest’s experience by helping to raise shades, control lights, and change the thermostat.

• Flooring/Decking – Consider eliminating door thresholds between rooms to help eliminate the risk of tripping. For decking, minimize the gaps between floorboards to prevent wheelchair wheels or walkers from being caught. Plan the deck’s floor structure so that the wood is perpendicular to the direction of travel, which will help prevent “catching” risk.

• Firepits – Outdoor firepits should be raised between 12”-24” inches, which will make it easier for mobility-challenged guests to reach and use that amenity.

establishment renting fewer than six (6) rooms.

But that exemption does not mean that assuring accessibility compliance ends there. An owner/ operator who goes above and beyond the required “readily achievable” standard, or even adopts measures that otherwise might be inapplicable to their situation, exhibits a business ethos committed to inclusivity. It’s good business to be inclusive. Being mindful of accessibility can and will attract more customers, place your business at the forefront of inclusivity in the glamping space, and foster a highly reputable inclusive brand, all while providing disabled individuals a more impactful and rewarding experience they might not otherwise be fortunate to have. Who wouldn’t want that?!

David Amidon is a partner and the chair of the Business Media Advisory group at the law firm of Burns & Levinson in Boston, www.burnslev.com.

Kaitlin Spurling is an associate at the firm. The authors would like to thank Mark Thompson of Paralyzed Veterans of America for his assistance with this article, www.pva.org.

SOME PRACTICAL TIPS Generally, the ADA is a federal law that requires “readily achievable” modifications specific to public accommodations, some of which are set forth above. Given the unique nature of the glamping space, we offer below some specific recommendations for glamping facility owners/ operators that can provide for a more inclusive and accessible facility:

• Parking – The biggest obstacle facing

mobility-challenged guests (those who use

a wheelchair, cane, or walker) is getting

access to, and moving within the unit.

Providing parking on a level plane with the

unit will reduce the requirements for ramps,

not only making the space more accessible,

but providing better aesthetic.

• Facility/Unit Structure – Simple changes inside the unit can dramatically improve accessibility. For mobility-challenged guests: rearrange furniture for easier

The best way to approach tackling your facility’s accessibility compliance is to self-evaluate, identify existing barriers, and make a plan of action. Such preparation to meet the minimum standard of “readily achievable” will serve as a good faith effort to comply with the ADA and help you avoid legal entanglements.

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR ACCESSIBILITY COMPLIANCE. The ADA was implemented not only to support and serve equal access for disabled citizens, but also to foster inclusivity. The local building codes and ordinances support this mandate for access. So the first argument for accessibility compliance is to avoid running afoul of your legal obligations and requirements. But compliance with accessibility mandates should be more than just a checklist or process to avoid legal entanglements, because accessibility is ultimately about inclusivity.

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F E AT U R E A DA

Do Your Best for ALL Your Guests

BY JOHN MORRIS OF WHEELCHAIRTRAVEL.ORG

A

s the travel industry prepares for a post-pandemic recovery, new attention is being paid to the fastest-growing segment of travelers: people with disabilities. The disability community spans all age groups, races, economic groups and regions – accounting for approximately 1 in 4 Americans adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control. As newly vaccinated older and disabled consumers begin to emerge from a year of shielding and quarantine, they will be searching for accessible travel experiences that are safe, socially-distanced and welcoming.

Glamping appears well-suited to attract travelers in this time, but is the industry prepared to serve disabled guests?

In a 2020 study on accessible travel sponsored by my website, WheelchairTravel.org, 80% of disabled people reported that accessibility is their primary consideration when selecting vacation

“Whether a glamping accommodation’s accessibility is limited or expansive, there is a customer for it. By broadcasting the accessibility that does exist, businesses open the door to a new customer base that is begging to be courted.”

accommodation. Deciding where to stay can be difficult for those travelers, however, as more than 88% said that hotels do not provide sufficient information about accessible rooms and features.

In the United States, customers have an expectation for accessibility at glamping accommodations, which fall within the broad scope of the Americans with Disabilities Act’s regulation of transient lodging facilities. The specific design standards that apply are too numerous to discuss in this article, but businesses would benefit from engaging with ADA compliance experts.

No two physical disabilities are the same. The challenges faced by disabled people are unique to the individual, and each person will have a different range of accessibility needs. The ADA regulations were designed to provide accessibility to the greatest number of people, but even ADA compliance does not guarantee access for every disabled person. Given the varied needs of disabled people, it is all the more important for glamping accommodations to provide detailed information about property accessibility, to include pictures, descriptions and measurements of accessible room and property features where appropriate. Sites that pursue transparency in marketing accessibility will be better equipped to attract customers with disabilities.

In addition to providing adequate information about a property’s accessibility, glamping websites should feature an easy-to-use booking process that includes adapted accommodation. Disabled people research and purchase travel products and services in the same way as nondisabled people,

so businesses that provide for the independent booking of accessible lodging facilities will have an advantage.

In recent years, businesses across all industries have made investments in sensitivity and awareness training as part of broader diversity and inclusion initiatives. In the hospitality industry, the training can be included alongside training for typical job functions to provide staff with a wellrounded view of customer service. The adoption of a disability awareness training component, as well as exposing staff to a property’s accessible rooms and features, will prepare team members to respond to customer needs and deliver positive guest experiences to disabled guests.

As the saying goes, do not let the pursuit of perfection become the enemy of the good.

Oftentimes, businesses delay marketing to disabled customers until they perceive their accessibility to be “perfect,” but this is a mistake.

At this time above all, when demand for travel is expected to make a sharp rebound, businesses should position themselves to attract disabled customers. Whether a glamping accommodation’s accessibility is limited or expansive, there is a customer for it. By broadcasting the accessibility that does exist, businesses open the door to a new customer base that is begging to be courted.

John Morris is the founder of the world’s largest accessible travel website, WheelchairTravel.org. His consultancy, Accessible Development Group, advises the hotel and lodging industry on best practices and has produced the ADA Hotels eCourse to help businesses reach customers with disabilities.

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F E AT U R E T E N T E D S T R U C T U R E S

TENTED STRUCTURES When it comes to glamping accommodation, tented structures are among the most iconic available. Low set-up costs mean a good return on investment, but it is also important to factor in maintenance costs and the kind of weather conditions that will be faced at your site.

Glamping’s continued rise in popularity means that there are now a large number of companies out there making incredible tented structures. With so many choices available, choosing the right accommodation for your site is easier said than done. Glamping Business Americas reporter Annie Hilton reached out to some suppliers to get you the information that you need.

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F E AT U R E T E N T E D S T R U C T U R E S Canvas) without charge when the product is returned to the retail seller with freight charges prepaid. This warranty is voided with the use of cleaning, treatment agents or compounds that have not been approved by Montana Canvas.

This warranty does not cover torn fabric or merchandise damaged through misuse, accident or transportation. The manufacturer makes no other warranty either express or implied and shall not be liable for consequential or incidental damages.

This warranty applies only to new products sold at retail value and to the original purchaser. This warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may have other rights which vary from state to state.

NOMADICS TIPI MAKERS tipi.com

Montana Canvas

MONTANA CANVAS montanacanvas.com What is your company background?

We have been in business in the Gallatin Valley of Montana for 35+ years supporting the community and providing an excellent work environment.

All of our tents, aluminum frames, fly’s, and tarps are manufactured in our production facility in Belgrade, MT. Big Sky Country is the premier home for outdoor enthusiasts making this the perfect place for Montana Canvas!

What structures do you offer?

Montana Canvas offer various tents, aluminum internal frames and top flys. We do not offer wood frames, decks, bathrooms or interior furnishings.

How would you describe your Unique Selling Point?

Montana Canvas manufactures each and every tent to order and offers fully custom tents! Many customers choose us because of our proven quality and USA-made craftsmanship. We offer sizes from 8’x10’ all the way up to 18’x23’. We currently offer two Glamping models in three package ways. A 12’x14’ Luxury model and a 14’x20’ Suite model. You can purchase it in one of three package ways: Package A is complete with tent, frame and fly. Package B is tent, internal tent frame and then just the fly - you would then need to build a wood structure for the top fly. Package C is the tent and fly, needing to build a wood frame to support the top fly and the main tent.

What maintenance is required to keep your structures in top condition?

Montana Canvas uses tent fabrics that are all treated for mold, mildew and meet the CPAI-84 California Fire guidelines. The tent fabric is a cotton and polyester blended fabric that has a vinyl coating that cleans up well.

How long does it take to create and assemble your structures?

Montana Canvas builds the tents, internal aluminum frames and top flys. Once customers have the deck constructed and the site completely prepped, set up can be done on a 12x14 Luxury model Package A in roughly two hours. Customers that choose to go with package B or C, have significantly more construction time as they construct the wood framing of their choice.

What is the lifespan of your structures?

This depends on the area you are placing them and whether you use them for a summer glamping season or for a full year. Most top 14 oz. FR vinyl flys will last four to eight years depending on the climate. Depending on the amount of use on the tents, you can expect the life span to be around the same.

Do you offer any warranties?

OUR GUARANTEE Limited Lifetime Warranty: Products manufactured by Montana Canvas are warranted against defects of materials and workmanship. Any product found defective will be repaired or replaced (at the discretion of Montana

What is your company background?

We began our tipi making project in 1970 with one goal in mind: to help sustain the respect and appreciation for one small aspect of the Native American culture - the tipi - and to make it available to everyone. With our authenticity and craftsmanship, we were also chosen to provide all the tipis for the movie ‘Dances With Wolves’ and ‘The Last Samurai’. Our workshop is secluded at the base of the Three Sisters Wilderness area and our tipis are sewn by local residents in their own homes. Each tipi is made in Bend, Oregon.

What structures do you offer?

We make traditional 3-pole Sioux-style tipis, which are asymmetrical cones measuring up to 26ft diameter on the ground. We have also engineered a specific Campground Model with an oversized door entrance and a Zipper/Mosquito Screen Door that can be locked. We can also customize each tipi to the vision of the glamping site, using 100% organic cotton Sunforger treated canvas for dry climates and an exclusive polyester and cotton blended fabric for hot, humid or wet climates.

How would you describe your Unique Selling Point?

We make hand-painted, high quality tipis. In 2016, we engineered our exclusive Campground Model with all the comfort features needed for an unforgettable stay in a tipi, specifically for glamping sites. We offer protection against little critters, rain solution, suggestions to heat and cool your tipi and a complete consultant brochure for customers who want to use their tipis as glamping units. As our focus is to support the Native American culture, each purchase of a tipi contributes to the ability to send 4 young native women through college. We also plant a tree on

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F E AT U R E T E N T E D S T R U C T U R E S What kind of maintenance is required to keep your structures in top condition?

We recommend a good cleaning on the outside of the vinyl yurt twice a year with mild soap and warm water. Starting at the roof and rinsing with a hose like you would wash a car. For optimum waterproofing, doors and frames that are exposed to the elements must be treated on site with Polyurethane; this should be repeated every couple of years. The interior is relatively maintenance-free; the wood is treated with Penofin Verde (Natural) and it is easy to wipe clean.

Nomadics

a reservation for each pole we sell, allowing us to make substantial donations to organizations that support Native Americans. We are members of 1% for the Planet, Green America and the American Glamping Association.

What maintenance is required to keep your structures in top condition?

The maintenance needed depends on the environment the tipis are placed in. In wet and humid climates, we recommend retreating the canvas to prevent mold and mildew. In high elevation or hot climates, a UV protectant should be applied to prevent premature ageing due to high UV radiation. It is important to inspect the canvas once in a while to look out for rips caused by falling branches, the rubbing of the poles or furniture poking into the canvas. If smoke flaps are opened, they need to be closed during windstorms or rain. Stakes need to be inspected to assure that the tipi cover is securely attached to the ground.

year when fully booked. This is for a tipi that costs $18,000 including the ground preparation, furniture, bedding, artwork and shipping and is rented for 90 nights at $200/night.

Do you offer any warranties?

We assure that every tipi we ship is in perfect condition - if not, we will take it back. Once the tipi is in use, we cannot give any warranties because the longevity depends on the environmental conditions and the care of it. We have detailed care instructions on our website.

RANIER rainieroutdoor.com What is your company background?

We got our start in 1896 during the Alaska Gold Rush. Seattle was a “last-stop” before the miners headed up to the Yukon. We made Wall tents back then that were very popular with that migrating population. 125 years later we still offer shelter products for outdoor recreation.

How long does it take to create and assemble your structures?

Setting up a large tipi can take five to seven hours if you do it for the first time, without professional help. You will need three or four people and ladders. With professional guidance and capable workers on site, you could set up three tipis in a day.

What structures do you offer?

We offer three different Yurt Models: The Eagle, the Raven and the Kestrel in 11 different sizes.

We also make a wide range of Canvas Cottages ranging from 10’ x 12’ to 16’ x 22’. Rainier manufactures Wall Tents in various sizes as well as seven different Tipi sizes.

What is the lifespan of your structures?

The ground preparation such as a concrete slab, wooden deck or gravel pit will last decades. The poles should last 10-15 years, furniture and bedding will last depending on the use of it, the interior liner will last 5-8 years and the outer tipi cover should be replaced every 4-6 years. A new cover costs around $3500 fully painted, and tipis in general have a ROI of six months - one

How would you describe your Unique Selling Point?

What makes Rainier unique and puts our products above the rest is our exceptional quality and attention to detail. By using the finest material with superb craftsmanship, we have created a product that combines beauty and durability.

In the industry, we are known for having “The Ultimate Yurt”.

How long does it take to create and assemble your structures?

Typically, it takes four–six weeks to manufacture each yurt (from the time the order is placed until the day it ships). During the COVID-19 pandemic we are forced to add a week to that due to the increased demand for plexiglass and acrylic. Once it gets to the customers site, smaller yurts go up in two days while larger ones can take four-five days especially with extra doors and glass windows.

Cottages take four weeks to manufacture and one day to erect. Tipis and wall tents even less time.

What is the lifespan of your structures?

Our Eagle Yurt lasts 15 – 20 years before needing a new roof. Our other models are about half that time. The wood frame last forever, the “skins” are replaced as needed depending on UV exposure and regular maintenance. The Army Duck canvas products (the Kestrel Yurt, Canvas Cottage, Wall Tents and Tipis) all vary on the lifespan depending on their use. We have seen Wall Tents last 60 years because the owner takes great care of them!

Do you offer any warranties?

Our manufacturers’ warranty is for a period of 12 months following purchase. Limited fabric warranties as offered by our suppliers can be summarized as follows:

• Heavy duty 32 ounce Duro Last fabric 15 years • Heavy duty 28 oz roof fabric 15 years • Eagle 19 ounce standard roof fabric 10 years • Raven 18 ounce standard roof fabric 7 years • Yurt Wall fabrics 5 years Clear vinyl windows are excluded from the warranty

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F E AT U R E T E N T E D S T R U C T U R E S YALA yalacanvaslodges.com What is your company background?

YALA luxury canvas lodges is the European market leader in canvas lodges. It all started twelve years ago with the design and production of safari tents.

From one model, we grew our range to a variety of canvas lodges. We started in 2009 under the typical Dutch name of LuxeTenten. The glamping trend was just upcoming back then. It proved to be one that lasted and still, luxury camping is growing popularity all over the world.

In 2019 Gladventure, represented by Hans van der Wind and Ivo van der Vlis, acquired LuxeTenten. From the start, their ambition is to grow the company to a global market leader.

As of July 1st 2020, we changed our name to YALA luxury canvas lodge. A new identity and proactive brand strategy that fits our aspiration to become a prominent global player.

YALA is already the largest supplier in Europe and produces high-quality canvas lodges all over the world. We built approximately 7000 canvas lodges in 50 countries so far. We started from a small factory in the Netherlands; nowadays, we have grown a strong global sales network of 40 partners that bring our products to the market.

We have offices in Dubai, Rome, Singapore, Tennessee and the Netherlands.

Together with our clients we define new opportunities and wishes to help them setting-up or upgrading their business. In close cooperation with our design partner RAY Tensile Design, we deliver turn-key solutions. From conceptual designs to installation. We continuously develop the best constructions with the strongest materials and most beautiful interiors. Always pushing the limits, as the pioneer we are.

What structures do you offer?

Our portfolio consists of 12 different models of canvas lodges. Within this portfolio, we offer a broad range of varieties. It goes from the more basic tents to high-end modular tented structures, offering the highest standards in luxury. In that way, we can tailor our canvas lodges to a client’s needs and wishes. To complement our canvas lodges, we have designed four different interior lines.

Together with our design partner RAY Tensile Design, we also offer customized tensile designs.

How would you describe your Unique Selling Point?

With years of experience as a pioneer in the

Ranier

YALA

glamping industry, we are confident saying we offer the best high-quality safari tents available.

Over the last twelve years, we have proven our canvas lodges are durable. They have an incredible lifespan. Moreover, our designs are unique, and with flexible layouts, our clients can choose the look and feel that fits their holiday park, campsite or resort.

What maintenance is required to keep your structures in top condition?

The maintenance of our canvas lodges is minimal.

The outer canvas needs relatively little upkeep. All our canvas has a UV coating and it is impregnated with a water- and dirt-resistant product.

There are two aspects that need little maintenance. These are the zippers of the doors and the ratchets that keep tension on the roof.

The YKK zippers, the best in the world, just need some vet once a year to keep running smoothly.

The ratchets need to be checked on a more regular

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basis. For example, after a heavy storm or snowfall.

They need to be tight and secured properly to keep the roof under tension. Both checks can be done by the owner himself.

Furthermore, always ensure good ventilation of the tents and lodges, both on the inside and around the exterior of the tents.

How long does it take to create and assemble your structures?

It all depends on the model the client chooses and the number of canvas lodges. Is it a large site that has to be set-up from scratch, including conceptual designing? Or does the client already own a holiday park and he wants to replace for example mobile homes by canvas lodges. So, this goes from just six-eight weeks to eight months and more, also depending on available permits and if the site already has electrical and sewerage facilities.

Every client and site are different and needs a different approach.

AG A C O LU M N

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F E AT U R E T E N T E D S T R U C T U R E S What is the lifespan of your structures?

We have canvas lodges built twelve years ago, and they are still in good condition and rented out.

Because we only use the best available high-quality materials, and our product development team always lies their focus on innovation and sourcing, we offer a long lifespan.

Do you offer any warranties?

We provide a standard 24-month warranty on all our canvas lodges. We are happy to give this some more explanation when someone contacts us.

BUSHTEC SAFARI bushtecsafari.com What is your company background?

Bushtec Safari is part of the Canvas and Tent Group of companies. Our headquarters and large state of the art, award winning, 500 worker factory is based in South Africa. The USA, Canada and Latin America markets are serviced out of our USA division in Atlanta. The group includes several divisions. We produce products for military, Bushtec Safari which covers our luxury tent business, Bushtec Adventure which services the overnight camping market (including a retail component) and Bushtec Creations which provides full turnkey services.

What structures do you offer?

Bushtec Creations is the leading designer and manufacturer in the world, of high end canvas tents of pretty much any shape, design or size. We offer a wide variety of standard designs but will also customize to the customer needs. Our tents are suitable for any use, from glamping accommodations to resorts of any kind, dining facilities, events, offices, spas or gyms and much more.

How would you describe your Unique Selling Point?

Bushtec Safari manufactures tents using with the finest military grade, waterproof, fire retardant canvas available. Together with the quality of our steel and other parts used in our product, our tents will last for over 30 years without needing to be replaced. On top of that, our cutting edge designs offer our customers pretty much anything that they would like. Our quality and design capabilities are endless.

What maintenance is required to keep your structures in top condition?

Bushtec Safari tents require very

Bushtec

little maintenance. They are easy to clean and generally will require the application of a simple laminate, like a paint job, every five years or so to keep them looking as good as new. We offer stainless steel and other appropriate parts for extreme climates. We also keep a supply handy for any replacement parts that may be required.

How long does it take to create and assemble your structures?

Our production lead time from the sign-off of plans and payment of a deposit, is 10-12 weeks.

Shipping varies by destination, but is usually around 30 days from SA to most American destinations (a little longer during Covid).

Depending on the size and complexity of the tent, our standard installation time for our most common tent designs is two-three days, assuming that all the infrastructure is in place.

What is the lifespan of your structures?

Our tents in our South African show room have been up for over 25 years and are in prefect condition. We have several resorts with tents up for over 20 years. As long as the appropriate materials and components are used for specific climates and the tents are looked after, they will last for over 30 years.

Do you offer any warranties?

A limited lifetime warranty is offered on all parts with a three year manufacturer defect warranty on our materials.

ECO STRUCTURES AUSTRALIA ecostructures.com.au What is your company background?

In 2000, Cyclone Rosita tore through Broome,

Western Australia, wiping out the world-famous Eco Beach Resort – but not the steely resolve of its owner, Karl Plunkett. Amidst the rubble and ruins, Karl conceived a vision to redesign and rebuild a completely new resort concept fusing glamorous eco design with extreme weather structural integrity. In 2009, Eco Beach Resort was reborn as a thriving tourism ‘village’ of structurally engineered, cyclone rated, modular, demountable structures. Fueled by his burning desire to innovate and revolutionize, Karl launched Eco Structures Australia to change the way travelers interact with the people and places.

Today, the company’s eco tents are dotted all around the world. Eco Structures leads the way helping resort owners and operators capitalize on the modern traveler’s demand for luxurious, ‘one of a kind’ experiences.

What structures do you offer?

We offer four sizes of our signature Eco Tents.

These Semi-permanent Glamping Tents are ideally suited for generating high ROI and can be installed in any location in the world. The main room of the tents are: 10x10, 14x14, 16.5x16.5, 20x20. All of our Tents come with integrated floors and decks and the decks are typically 6 or 10ft wide but can be made any size. All our Eco Tents can then have add-on enclosures or bathrooms that attach to the main room. Due to the modular design of our tents, we also offer our Luxury Stretch Series where several Eco Tents can be linked together to provide larger connected living spaces and bedrooms.

Coming this fall is our Pop up Tent. It is specifically designed to be a portable solution that still offers a large living space, steel structure, but can be setup and taken down in hours.

Perfect for festivals, short term events, and seasonal locations.

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F E AT U R E T E N T E D S T R U C T U R E S In addition to our Canvas-walled Eco Tents we have several hard-walled options.

How would you describe your Unique Selling Point?

All of our tents have been architecturally designed and structurally engineered. We are the only manufacturer in the world with tents that are rated to withstand winds of up to 151 km/h.

Combined with these high wind rating is our rapid modular kit construction. Everything that is needed for each Eco Tent is delivered directly to site and can be setup easily in even the most remote locations. Finally, our Eco Anchors allow Eco Tents to be installed in sensitive areas and removed later without leaving a trace. Our Eco Anchors also allow our tents to be installed without the need of large concrete footings.

What maintenance is required to keep your structures in top condition?

Light soap and water on the canvas is recommended each year to keep it looking cleaned and crisp. For Eco Tents that are installed in heavily treed areas, we recommend blowing or rinsing off the roof each year. One of our key selling points is that our structures are designed with operators in mind and we try to make our tents as maintenance-free as possible.

How long does it take to create and assemble your structures?

Our most popular 4.2m Eco Tent take approximately 45-50 labor hours for complete

setup. The 6.3m Eco Tents take approximately 100 labor hours. Our new Pop Up tent that is planned for release in Fall 2021 will be able to be setup in less then three hours.

What is the lifespan of your structures?

One of the great features of our Eco Tents is the galvanized steel structure. It means that the structure itself will last for 30-40 years. We also use composite decking and commercial grade vinyl flooring on top of concrete board, with the intent that the flooring system will last for 20+ years or until the location wants to change colors or themes of their Eco Tents. We use the highest quality fabric for our canvas walls and roofs. Average lifespans tend to be 10-15 years depending on the climate and how much wear and tear you get from guests. An additional benefit of our tents is that our canvas is installed in individual panels that allow you to only change out what is needed over time.

Do you offer any warranties?

• 15 Years – Steel Structure • 5 Years – Decking • 5 Years - Canvas

LIFE INTENTS LifeinTents.com What is your company background?

Life inTents started as a side hustle family business in 2017. We were a service focused company that created pop-up glampgrounds at weddings and festivals. We’d travel to these

off-grid events to set-up and furnished canvas tents for guests to camp comfortably. We realized that there was an opportunity to design a bell tent that was more elegant, spacious, and durable.

So we took our learnings from our fieldwork and launched our 16’ (5M) Fernwehô bell tent in late 2019, and now offering a stargazer version with The Stellaô.

What structures do you offer?

We focus on uniquely designed canvas bell tents.

How would you describe your Unique Selling Points?

We focus our design attention on quality and aesthetics. Our bell tents are made with a hardy 390 gsm (11.5 oz) cotton canvas, a weight that we have yet to see matched on the market.

What maintenance is required to keep your structures in top condition?

To keep our canvas tents in good shape for long-term set-up we recommend creating a game plan for set-up and regular monitoring and maintenance. It is ideal to set-up the tents on sites that offer great water drainage, exposure to a breezeway and sunlight. Weekly maintenance could include spot cleaning the canvas, tightening the guy lines, and trimming back foliage.

How long does it take to create and assemble your structures?

Our only take 20-30 minutes to set-up in a traditional outdoor setting. One could anticipate this to be a little longer if the tent will be up for several months, or placed a wooden platform.

What is the lifespan of your structures?

Our tents can last for many decades if cared for properly. Keeping a canvas tent clean and dry will discourage the growth of mold, the #1 cause of damage. Mindful maintenance, a tent fly, and periodically retreating the canvas can keep these tents around for your grandchildren.

Do you offer any warranties?

We offer a 30-month warranty on the craftsmanship of our bell tents, along with providing Lifetime support to any of our amazing customers.

OUTSTANDING outstandingtent.com

Eco Structures Australia

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What is your company background?

Officially, Outstanding launched in 2014 with Robin van Kooten as co-owner, but for the roots

F E AT U R E T E N T E D S T R U C T U R E S of a tent. Like the unique end couplings we’ve developed or the set of windbreak mesh we’ve added to our product range. It’s not a necessity, but this green cover protects the tent against sun, rain, and deposits, while it keeps breathing at the same time.

How long does it take to create and assemble your structures?

The assembly of our tents really depend on the model, the size and whether it’s with furniture and sanitation or not. It varies from a day to a couple of days. We have clear instructions for customers who want to build the tent themselves, but we also have building teams in different countries who can do it for them. They not only assemble the tent, but also complete the tent interior. That means that our customer can welcome their first guests the moment our building team leaves!

Life in Tents

of the business we need to go back to 2009. This was the year when the man who would become his co-founder, Erik van Donselaar, started importing tents from Pakistan. However, he wasn’t satisfied with the quality. Concerned about the quality of the tents he severed ties with the Pakistani company and found better and more reliable suppliers for his growing pool of clients.

In 2014 Robin and Erik joined forces and launched Outstanding. By that time, we started developing new products and we began developing our own tents. Right at the start, quality was and remains the most important element of our business. Our clients have to be 100% satisfied and that soon became the foundation of everything that we are built on.

“remarkable” and “impressive”. But for us, it also means energy, passion and experience. And that’s what we aim for every day. We lift camping to a higher level and thus meet the growing demand for safari tents and luxury glamping tents. We do this by providing suitable advice, having a personal approach and a lot of enthusiasm!

What maintenance is required to keep your structures in top condition?

Our tents are resistant against all weather conditions and require little maintenance. Even better, you can leave them outside all year. Of course, there are ways to optimize the lifespan

What is the lifespan of your structures?

When people decide to buy a luxury tent, they don’t want the tent to be unusable after the first season. We therefore make sure our tents are sustainable in every conceivable way. By, for example, the choices we make for the materials and our goal to make the look of our tents modern yet timeless. Therefore, our tents have a lifespan of at least 10 years and will still look attractive in a couple of years.

Do you offer any warranties?

We have a quality guarantee, or better said a 100% satisfaction guarantee. When we

What structures do you offer?

A world full of luxury safari tents, fully equipped lodges and the fastest service. With us you can choose what you want: big or small, a lot of or little luxury, with or without a slide, box bed or maybe an extra floor. Whether you want advice on which tent is best for your campsite or want us to build it as a turnkey delivery.

Our glamping tents are efficiently and practically furnished. This will not only be a great experience for every tourist, but also for you as a campsite owner. Because with their service life of 10 years, you hardly have to worry about our safari tents and lodges.

How would you describe your Unique Selling Point?

Our products are designed by ourselves, only made of high-quality materials and we deliver from our own stock. Outstanding means

Outstanding

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F E AT U R E T E N T E D S T R U C T U R E S say that we put our quality guarantee ahead of everything we really do mean it. If a customer isn’t 100% happy with a product and if it cannot be improved upon, let’s say with repair or redesign, we will take the tent back and refund them their money.

PSYCLONE TENTS psyclonetents.us What is your company background?

Over time, the Psyclone Tents team has grown from a few close friends to a whole family of friends and outdoor enthusiasts all working to provide the ultimate outdoor tent. We have personally tried and tested a range of features in various conditions to help create a bell tent in its highest standards. Our bell tents are perfect for camping, festivals, weddings, backyard parties, children’s parties, glamping, Airbnbs, wineries and more.

Originally based in Melbourne Australia, the Psyclone team is made up of a diverse group of nature lovers with a passion for creating the ultimate camping experience.

As a team we have spent many years refining and strengthening the design of our bell tents to make them stand out from the rest as a stronger and more reliable heavy duty bell tent customized for all conditions.

Being one of the original providers of high-quality bell tents in Australia since 2008, Psyclone Tents has seen the glamping industry start from its humble beginnings to the flourishing market it is today. In February 2019, Psyclone Tents entered the American market with staff and a distribution facility in Carlsbad, California.

The team brings experience from many years of

Psyclone Tents

supplying Glamping Businesses, campers and the events industry.

What structures do you offer?

Psyclone Tents supply high quality canvas Bell tents, Emperor tents and Tuareg tents. Our Bell tents are available in three styles. Fixed floor, removable floor and fixed floor with extra windows. We also offer four sizes, 3m, 4m, 5m, 6m.

Made from high quality 340 gsm canvas to keep you warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

Canvas is treated to be fire retardant and for mold resistance and flooring is heavy duty 520 gsm PVC. Our tents also come with heavy duty galvanized pegs and poles.

How would you describe your unique selling point?

To create the ultimate glamping experience, the tent is a home away from home.

At Psyclone Tents it is our mission to produce the utmost high-quality bell tents for nature lovers. During the last twelve years we have redefined, modified and strengthened our design to produce the high-quality version we supply on the market today.

Psyclone bell tents’ heavy-duty design is luxurious, durable, waterproof and built to last.

Transportable and easy to set up, our all season bell tents, create a lavishly spacious and comfortable glamping experience for modern campers. Perfect for Glamping Businesses, Festivals, Events, Weddings, AirBnBs, and Retreats. The bell tent is a low investment with little upfront set up for those looking to join the growing popularity of providing a unique outdoor glamping experience.

What maintenance is needed to keep your tents in top condition?

Canvas is a natural fiber and does need some care. The most important tip is never pack away your tent when it is still wet. If you have to pack it away wet, then make sure to unpack it and let it dry properly before storing away for any period of time.

If you are planning on using your bell tent regularly, in humid conditions or set up permanently, we highly recommend using a water proofing spray or liquid. This will maintain the high quality and durability of your tent and will extend the lifespan by adding UV stabilization to the fabric and reducing the risk of mold and stains.

Although caring for your bell tent is extremely easy, general maintenance is necessary to keep your tent looking tip-top and to prolong the life span of the canvas.

How long does it take to create and assemble your structures?

Our bell tents are so easy to set-up and pack down taking one person 10-15mins! All you need is the one central pole, the doorframe pole and your pegs. Put your tent into position, slot in the central pole and doorframe, hammer your pegs, tighten the ropes and your Psyclone Tent is ready to go!

What is the life span of your structures?

If you look after this tent it should serve you for many years to come. If set up permanently lifespan will vary slightly depending on the conditions and the maintenance you provide to your tent. As a rule, we expect your tent to last over a year if set up permanently and taken care of.

Our tents are 100% waterproof on their own – However, for people who leave their tents up for long periods of time (i.e. glamping companies), we have developed specifically sized tent covers to add an extra layer of protection from all weather conditions. Made from lightweight Ripstop fabric, these covers are 100% waterproof – keeping your tent extra dry and cooler in the summer sun. They are easy to set-up over the top of your existing bell tent and come with their own ropes and tensioners.

Do you offer warranty?

We provide a 12-month guarantee on all canvas workmanship; with a guaranteed replacement or repair should there be any factory faults. Our customers come first and we care about your camping experience. We want to make sure you are satisfied with our products so please don’t hesitate to contact us with any concerns.

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to be on track to meet our fundraising goal of $1 million.”

An equity crowdfunding campaign is not something to take lightly. There is a huge amount of work that goes into the process, from the initial preparation in gathering all of the required information for the campaign, to the ongoing interactions with supporters. While equity crowdfunding is very time intensive, there are a number of positives to be found alongside the financial support.

“More than anything, we are grateful for, and humbled by, the outpouring of support we have received since our launch. Like any fundraising effort, there is considerable upfront work preparing to launch the campaign, and the time and effort to successfully conduct a crowdfunding campaign is comparable to, if not in excess of, a traditional accredited-only campaign,” says Bobby.

“That said, we have already seen a number of positive outcomes in addition to raising capital. By raising funds from a large number of investors, we now have a sizeable pool of engaged supporters that will become loyal customers and brand enthusiasts. It is also an asset to be able to reach out to this pool of investors for future fundraising needs, and we expect our internal expertise in crowdfunding to be useful for upcoming projects.

Lastly, as a founder, it is uplifting and reaffirming to hear kind words of support and encouragement from so many of our past guests!”

Equity crowdfunding is a great way for a company to raise funding, but it comes with its share of difficulties, especially for

glamping businesses.

“Much of the online equity crowdfunding world is focused on technology or software-focused businesses, so glamping businesses may find that they don’t squarely slot into many of the crowdfunding platforms. This just means that the established marketing path set for technology companies may not directly apply, and some extra creativity may be required for a successful campaign,” says Bobby.

Whilst a crowdfunding campaign is open, it is essential that interaction with both investors and potential investors remains active.

“Regarding interactions, it has been great to see some of our new investors reach out to me with ideas or connections, some of which have already proven to be fruitful. I also post periodic updates on our campaign page, and we also have email newsletters and social media posts that keep our guests and investors informed. We also offer exciting “perks” with different investment tiers, like discounts on stays and personal property tours, and I look forward to meeting many of our new investors personally next season in Ithaca!” says Bobby.

Investors are ultimately investing in a campaign because they think that it will be successful, meaning that they will make a return on their investment. For produc- led businesses this return will most commonly be made from the profits in sales. For experience-led business such as those in the hospitality industry, things get a little bit more complicated.

“We expect to be a good target for acquisition

by a larger hospitality firm, a real estate group, or a private equity company once we have multiple properties open and operating,” he adds. “We have already seen some of our competitors in the glamping industry go this route and generate substantial returns. Another strategy that could produce a substantial return for our investors would be the sale or refinancing of individual properties, rather than the whole company. In that scenario, our intention is that Firelight Camps would retain a long-term management contract on each property, even after a change in ownership.

Lastly, at some future point we may begin distributing dividends to investors.”

When asked about what advice he’d give to others in the glamping industry who are looking into equity crowdfunding, Bobby explains that, “I think equity crowdfunding is a great opportunity for those in the glamping industry since glamping is inherently easy to understand, photogenic, and has a large devoted following.

However, it is important to understand that a large amount of upfront preparation is necessary for a successful campaign, and I would recommend enlisting the help of a marketing agency who has dealt with crowdfunding for guidance in most instances. Lastly, engagement is key and the more touchpoints you have with your prospective investors, the better!”

If you’d like to find out more about Firelight, you can find their website at firelightcamps.com, if you’d like to invest in, or find out more about, their crowdfunding campaign, you’ll find it at wefunder.com/firelightcamps.

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Eagle’s Nest TREE HOUSE RESORT Clifford Kistner is CEO of Eagle’s Nest Tree House Resort and is seeking investment to create the world’s largest treehouse resort. With plans for 160 treehouse units and an additional 40 commercial/ retail spaces with room for expansion, Eagle’s Nest is set to become a truly one-of-a-kind location.

Glamping Business Americas Editor Will Rusbridge caught up with Clifford to ask about the project.

“I

am a visionary and I have a deep desire to make a difference in the world and bring joy to the lives of others. This all came from the pure joy I felt as a child in the treehouse I built in my backyard.” Clifford’s enthusiasm is contagious and his dreams are big.

The property that Eagle’s Nest Tree House Resort will be built on is located on the East Coast of the United States, in North Carolina, “The land borders with the states of Tennessee and Georgia, making it a very unique but perfect, exquisitely beautiful location nestled in the convergence of the Blue Ridge Mountain Range and the Great Smokey Mountains.

The property consists of 400 acres of old woodland that abuts to 640,000 acres of U.S. Forestry land which is known as the Appalachian Trail. This trail is a 2180-mile-long footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild and culturally resonant lands of the eastern United States from Maine to Georgia.”

Treehouses are incredible structures that can withstand all kinds of weather and capture a sense of magic and nostalgia, but they are also among the most difficult types of accommodation to build. Clifford adds, “As a builder and an environmentalist, I have always had an affinity to nature and specifically to trees. As a kid growing up in small town in Massachusetts, I loved the magic of treehouses. Kids in the neighborhood

“Each treehouse will have its own personality and style. Some will feature an extravagant style while others will be more whimsical.”

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always came to me to build a treehouse, a secret space to let our imaginations run free.

As my vision took shape, I shared my ideas with others. Most became enamored by the idea of being high in a treehouse and once again feeling the freedom and joy of being a child again. One of the first questions I would be asked is when my resort would open? I could hear the eagerness and excitement as they began to imagine what the

experience would be like. Their joy in hearing about it made me even more excited and determined to make my vision a reality. I want to create this special place for the world to come and see what has been so dear to me, beginning when I was a child. I want to offer others a life experience like no other. I have envisioned a unique place that people from all walks of life can come and connect to their inner feelings and take with them the joy that only a treehouse and the forest can give.”

When it comes to the treehouses, Clifford has a very clear vision, and sees each of them with a unique atmosphere.

“Each treehouse will have its own personality and style. Some will feature an extravagant style while others will be more whimsical. All will offer fully functioning amenities such as kitchens, bathrooms, running water, electricity, heat and cooling features for the complete comfort of our guests. We will feature designs from around the globe and bring our distinctive structures to the scale of our trees.”

As well as the treehouse accommodation, there will also be a number of free-standing buildings located throughout the grounds of the resort. “These will include restaurants, breweries, wine tasting rooms, venue services including a concert hall

for entertainment and conferences such as TEDx conferences, kitchens and multi-use buildings on our mountain tops. We plan to include movie theatres, horse stalls, self-awareness classes, infinity pools, salt rooms, laundry and cleaning facilities and service stations, storage stations, ecological maintenance buildings, and more. We plan future acquisition of more land to accommodate guest parking, limousine services and parking for mobile homes and recreational vehicles that guests may be traveling with. We intend to be 90% self-sustaining for our energy needs. We intend to utilize wind power, water turbines, solar energy, thermogenic energy and grid energy.”

Services on offer to guests of the resort will include, “restaurants, meals delivered in person or by drones, venue services for conferences and entertainment, horseback riding, infinity pools, shopping centres leased by private businesses to sell their products on site, an artist venue, rope and tree climbing instruction, zip lines, education classes about eco involvement and climate change, mediation, archery, and other activities.”

Hosting large scale events at glamping sites and resorts is a difficult endeavor as it requires dedicated infrastructure to be built

to accommodate not just a large amount of people, but also the equipment that is needed by the event organizers. Eagle’s Nest will open with this infrastructure already in place, “We are planning to accommodate large scale events such as TEDx conferences and other types of conferences, concerts and theatre events, some held in the forest and under the stars. World conferences and summits may also be accommodated on site.”

Currently, Clifford is seeking investment to make Eagle’s Nest Tree House Resort a reality.

“The investments I am seeking are sponsorships from major contributors in return for affiliation and advertisement space, seed investors, crowd fundraising, angel investments, Venture Capitalists, as we execute 2834 phases of buildout of our treehouses while concurrently installing landscaping, infrastructure, engineering and implementation of our plans. The timescale for the project will be five years from ground-breaking to completion of the entire project.” Discussing the potential of working with other people on the project, Clifford said, “I am open to the prospect of partnership if it is the right opportunity. I have plans to work with a professional hospitality firm to manage the resort.”

Clifford’s overall vision for the project is to, “create a one-of-a-kind world class treehouse resort that people from all over the world can discover and enjoy. We want this to be a once in a lifetime experience with memories they will cherish for the rest of their lives.” But perhaps more importantly, “One of the biggest intentions of Eagles Nest Tree House Resort is to help create economic stability and job opportunities in an area that is facing an unprecedented economic crisis. The world pandemic has only worsened the crisis. These are communities in crisis. This project will bring much needed economic relief to this distressed area. Our project would like to contribute to the revitalization project of Cherokee County, North Carolina and help it to flourish with economic vitality.”

To find out more about Eagle’s Nest Tree House Resort, you can find the website at eaglesnesttreehouseresort.com.

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I N T E RV I E W

THE C4 FOUNDATION The C4 Foundation seeks to strengthen family relationships and enhance support networks for the SEAL community and their immediate families. Located in San Diego’s Mesa Grande region, the C4 Ranch, a 560-acre property, houses a number of safari tents where Navy SEALS and their families can enjoy time together before, during and after deployment. Glamping Business Americas Publisher Steph Curtis Raleigh spoke with Charles Keating III to find out more about The C4 Foundation.

T

he C4 foundation’s goal is to alleviate stress for Navy SEALS and assist their families in the transitions of deployment as set out in their mission statement: “The C4 Foundation honors the legacy of Charles Humphrey Keating IV, a heroic Navy SEAL who was deeply rooted in his community and who gave his life defending our country and the freedoms we enjoy. Founded by Charlie’s family, the C4 Foundation’s goal is to research, develop and implement evidence-based solutions to maintain family unity within this elite group of warriors.”

Speaking about The C4 Foundation and its creation Charles said, “My son a Navy SEAL was KIA in Iraq in 2016 so we decided to honor his life by doing something that would matter to him. He was all about family, so we decided to do something for his brothers (SEAL teammates) whom he loved. Their lifestyle is extremely stressful. They are gone on training missions or deployment for long periods of time and both are extremely dangerous. The wives and kids are left to handle all the daily grinds of life and it is extremely stressful for them also. So, we decided to give them a place where they can go with their families to reconnect and destress before, during and after deployments.”

Accommodation comes in the form of Bushtec safari tents that were chosen when a C4 foundation board member met Bushtec’s Chief Executive Officer Gary Flaks, “A board member went to the Glamping show in Colorado Springs in October 2019 and met Gary Flaks from Bushtec and was impressed by the tents and the quality was exactly what we were looking for. It gave us exactly what we were looking for, a beautiful, affordable and quick way to get housing for the families coming to the ranch. The tents are strong, withstand all the elements and have an enduring quality and look about them.

The reaction to the glamping tents has been huge. We obviously have a younger audience and they love the concept and are overwhelmed by the size and quality of the tents. They have a sense of adventure and romantic feel to them.”

Guests at the C4 Ranch can enjoy their time however they choose, whether that be relaxing with their family, or getting involved in some of the many activities offered, “It is much like a dude ranch in that we offer the families a place to come and destress after deployments and reconnect with the family. We have horses, chickens, pigs, alpacas and cattle that all the kids love. We will also have archery, bike paths, fishing and many other ranch type activities.”

Speaking about future plans for the ranch, Charles said, “We hope to have additional housing so that we can accommodate more families.”

If you’d like to find out more about The C4 Foundation, you can find their website at c4foundation.org.

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GLAMPING SITE SELECTION

BY TODD WYNNE-PARRY

T

here is an old adage in real estate that states simply the key to success is “location, location, location.” This remains true in the glamping world, but with the added nuance of “site, site, site” rounding out the key to success. In this article, I will explore the key attributes of both the location (the geographical area or destination) and the site (the actual real property within the location) that form selection criteria for a successful glamping operation. The guiding questions for this exercise will be why, where and what now?

What is your “why?” for your glamping operation? I assume all potential glamping operations have a visionary developer or a group of leaders with a common vision. This vision ultimately is designed to provide guests with a specific outdoor experience. It may also provide stakeholders with a specific return on investment which may be just economic or may also provide a return on a more altruistic level (low impact on the environment, providing transformative experiences, enhancing the local or global community, etc.) which fortunately tends to be part and parcel of the glamping movement.

The vision of the glamping operation needs to answer a number of key questions around the guest experience. The guest experience will be affected by questions such as:

Regardless, we start with the “why?” because at the end of the day the site must be able to accomplish the vision. That is, the site needs to match the key tenants of the vision. For instance, if a deep communion with the outdoors is a key part of the vision, it will be difficult to achieve on a site where the growl of a semi tractor-trailer applying its Jake brake on the nearby interstate cancels the soothing sounds of nature. Therefore, understanding the vision is the first step in the site selection.

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• What is their sense of arrival?

• What was their pre-arrival experience?

• How did they book? Did they have to

pre-book activities?

• How did they get there? Drive? Fly? Hike in?

How long did that take?

• What feeling is evoked from the moment

they turn into the property and approach

the reception?

• How are they greeted? By a person or do they self-check-in?

• How to they transition from check-in to

their accommodation? Is it far? Hilly? Is

there assistance?

• What is the experience while on

the property?

• Is it very communal with one fire pit for

all guests, several fire pits for site clusters or

individual fire pits at each tent?

• Where do they eat? On property entirely

(all-inclusive) or breakfast only? Or in a nearby village?

• How do they reserve guided experiences and are those experiences outsourced or run in-house?

• Are there facilities on property that guests can easily access for self-guided experiences such as hiking and biking trails, corn hole or bocci courts, swimming, fishing, etc.?

• What’s the vision’s relationship with technology? Is Wi-Fi and/or mobile phone service non-existent or in rooms or in public space only?

• What in summary will each guests’ experience be when they depart? What will they tell their friends about? What did the site provide that allowed the guest to have a memorable experience?

With these questions answered and front of mind we can now turn to the “where?”. If the plan is for just one property and not to scale over time, I suggest your “where?” should begin somewhere near where you live. Should the plan be to roll out a nation-wide product, perhaps begin regionally (within a five-hour drive) and expand to other regions as funds and your platform can handle. Next, does the vision work in all four seasons or only two or three? This is a major consideration not just for the “where?” but also for the economics (only six to nine months of income) and operations (annual lay-off/re-hire process and breakdowns/storage/set-ups, etc.). Having these two major considerations determined will provide further guidance on the optimal site.

Just a quick check-in – please remember that glamping is a hospitality operation. Therefore, you will always have the hospitality stakeholder trinity to satisfy. The hospitality trinity is: • Guests (they buy the experience you are selling), • Employees (they deliver the guest experience

he guests are buying), and • Investors (they will need profit at some point).

or in another country. However, for a drive-to mainland USA glamping operation there are really four major considerations, they are: 1. Drive Time - The location should be a two- to

four-hour drive from a major population

source (say the top 25 MSA’s). The concept

here is that a couple or a family could get

to the site in a morning or afternoon drive

from home. This distance also allows for small

corporate group or association off-site

meetings or retreats to be easily accessed mid-week.

2. Demand Generator Adjacent – The location

should be located within a 30–45-minute

drive from any major demand generator

such as a national park, mountain, forest, lake,

river, ocean, historic attraction or wine

country. The property needs to be

reasonably close to the visitation driver of that destination.

This is important because looking at the key site selection criteria for a glamping operation needs to keep these stakeholders in mind. The guest needs to get to the site, there needs to be an employee pool to draw from and the cost of the site along with the development cost needs to be in line with the investment objectives.

The key glamping location selection criteria presented below are based on a very general glamping concept currently in vogue in the USA. Some may not be relevant depending on the vision

3. Support Services Adjacent – Having a close proximity of a 10–15-minute drive, hike or bicycle ride to a small village with shops, restaurants, pharmacy, grocery store is a key amenity particularly if your vision does not provide for a three-meal F&B option.

If the vision is all-inclusive then this selection requirement remains important for having a pool of local residents to draw upon for staffing. There are of course exceptions to this, particularly at the very high end of the glamping experience.

4. The X Factor - This is a little harder to describe and cannot be quantified like the above. It can be somewhat subjective but equally important. That is, your proposed g l a m p i n g s h o w. u s | G l a m p i n g B u s i n e s s A m e r i c a s | 3 9

About Todd G. Wynne-Parry

location may satisfy the above three criteria, but remains a bit hard to market to a discerning clientele willing to pay more than $200/night for a glamping experience. A clear indicator of the X factor is if there are existing resorts or lodges in the area that are successful at generating similar or higher room rates than planned. If not, then there is probably a reason and that needs to be considered.

Drilling now a bit deeper into the specific site, there is yet but another list of critical questions that should be considered. We are assuming here that the proposed site, its size and contours allow it to deliver the guest experience and can accommodate the type of lodging and support facilities the vision requires. These questions deal more with the timing and viability of the operation.

The overarching question here is – does the site have a clear pathway to development and opening?

These pre-due diligence considerations include:

- Will the local or regional government or regulatory bodies be supportive of your vision?

- Does the site’s current entitlements or zoning status allow for developing the vision as of right now or will you need to apply for changes in addition to building permits?

- What are the obstacles for developing basic infrastructure items such as utilities, roads, fire and life safety requirements?

- Is the price in line with the current local market? Is it at or below what the pro forma can afford?

These questions provide a basic checklist for a successful glamping operation site. However, these might be altered in several ways depending on your unique vision. Asking the tough questions around the suitability of the site for the guest experience, being able to draw on a pool of local staff for the operation and of course the viability of the site to be funded and developed will remain essential regardless of the vision’s unique characteristics.

So, what now? You have selected a perfect site in a proven location, now what? This is where the difficult part starts. In my next article, I will highlight the key attributes of a successful glamping operation: specifically, the relationship between the vision, its built form and ultimately its financial viability.

“Asking the tough questions around the suitability of the site for the guest experience, being able to draw on a pool of local staff for the operation and of course the viability of the site to be funded and developed will remain essential regardless of the vision’s unique characteristics.”

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The founder and CEO of Montare Hospitality Advisors (an M&A and advisory group dedicated to the Glamping and boutique lodging sectors), Todd has more than 30 years of hotel development and acquisitions experience, having held senior leadership positions at several major hotel brands and most recently as Chief Growth Officer at AutoCamp. A dual-citizen of Australia and the United States, Wynne-Parry has lived and worked in the U.S., Asia, Australia and the United Kingdom. He was instrumental in the development efforts for IHG, Starwood and Marriott in the Asia Pacific region and for Commune and Two Roads Hospitality globally. Todd earned an MBA from Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management and his BA from Alma College. He is the treasurer of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Development Trust for Scotland’s University of Aberdeen and is an advisor to the American Glamping Association. As a devout outdoorsman and fly fisherman, he resides on the Deschutes River in Bend, Oregon, but prefers the open road towing his vintage Airstream Flying Cloud.

Under Canvas

Grand Canyon

BY KATE MOREL morelconsultancy.com

Like surreal layer cakes, bands of pinks and red ochres are piled sky high as far as the eye can see. For a girl who grew up in the gentle rolling hills of England, the sheer scale and nature of the view is almost beyond comprehension.

Y

es, I’m gazing across the unfathomable vastness of the Grand Canyon.

In April 2005, I was with friends exploring Arizona where I quickly developed a deep love for the place. On one mountain hike we had stopped for a break and sitting there among the rocks and dust I found myself creating a small piece of land art, an offering, a simple spiral pattern in the stones.

If you want to get to know a place, the rocks are a good start. It really was a trip of a lifetime, but one thing didn’t work for me, and that was going

About Kate Kate Morel is one of the pioneers of the glamping movement. A creative glamping consultant, designer, permaculture advocate, columnist and speaker, she has worked in many countries around the world. A self-confessed tree-hugger, her passion for both the great outdoors and the glamping industry bring a unique warmth and authenticity to everything she does.

back to a hotel room every night, it just doesn’t feel right.

Sixteen years later and things have changed.

I’ve been involved in the glamping industry for a decade, where sleeping under the stars in comfort is entirely possible, and I’ll be sharing an inspiring example with you in each issue this year. Given my trips to, and love for Arizona, I thought we could start with an ‘Under Canvas’ encampment close to the Grand Canyon, if only it had been there in 2005!

We can create any number of unique selling points when designing a glamping site but when it’s all about ‘location, location, location’ we don’t need to gild the lily, we just need to provide the right level of comfort and activities and allow nature to shine. Here are a few reasons why I believe Under Canvas Grand Canyon got this just right: A Light Touch. This encampment sits lightly on the land with no unnecessary hard or soft landscaping. Using the natural space among the trees means the tents aren’t set out in a neat or pretty pattern, giving the camp a random layout.

I think this create a less contrived, more natural encounter with the land. It’s resort standard - but a sensitive approach.

Sympathetic Décor. The rustic simplicity of the décor inside the structures doesn’t detract from the natural landscape. In fact, the tones, natural wood and exposed copper pipes echo nature’s colors, creating a seamless flow between inside and out.

On Site Facilities. As well as relaxing and soaking up the surroundings, guests can also enjoy a campfire and on-site dining. Essential for remote sites, on-site catering also frees guests from domestic chores, giving them more time to

properly switch off and fully immerse themselves in the experience.

Activities. Some landscapes particularly lend themselves to activities and this is one of them.

Sending guests home with life-long memories is something that glamping can excel at, and at Under Canvas guests can choose from:

• A hiking tour, or a private customized tour tailored to their own schedule or fitness level.

Not everyone is super fit and hiking is the best way to take in all those little details we never see from a vehicle - nobody needs to miss out here.

• A 4x4 safari with guided walk along the Grand Canyon rim, learning about the history, geology and folklore of the National Park.

Who doesn’t love the idea of a safari trip?!

• A Sunset jeep tour during that magical sunset hour at the Grand Canyon, following old stagecoach trails through the Kaibab National Forest. The thought of seeing wildlife and the beautiful sunset views would have me booking this on a heartbeat.

The Under Canvas encampments embody what I would call the DNA of glamping because they are elegant but unfussy. They offer a space where guests can socialize, engage with relevant activities, be entertained, learn something about the land, or simply relax. Most of all, guests are immersed in nature with ease and in comfort.

For me, this kind of glamping fosters and rekindles our emotional connection with the natural world, gives us poignant memories, and just maybe, helps us to reflect and re-evaluate a few things along the way.

Till next time, Kate

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