ANNIE GOES GLAMPING WITH THE BIG DOGS
CABINS, HUTS & PODS
PAPERBARK CAMP CELEBRATES 25 YEARS
CONQUERING OFF-GRID CHALLENGES
INTERVIEW WITH POSH OUTDOORS
KERRY ROY ON STAFFING THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY
Welcome to the May issue of International Glamping Business magazine!
With each passing year – and month! – the glamping industry evolves, blending luxury with nature in ever more innovative ways. In this edition, we offer inspiration from down under, insights and advice for operators in this ever-changing sector.
In this issue, we spoke with Australian glampsite Paperbark Camp on their success story as they celebrate 25 years providing personalised, unique, and thoughtful experiences that reconnect guests with nature – in style. Closer to home, Fešta Glamping in Croatia shared how they conquered the challenges of operating completely off-the-grid on a remote island.
Kerry Roy offers her insights on the good, the bad and the ugly of staffing your glampsite and Julie Friar from Friar Best Insurance Services explains how to choose the right insurance protection. You will also discover my recent escapade to a shepherd’s hut, with my large dog in tow, where I took on the perspective of a guest and what I looked for when booking a petfriendly getaway.
We focus on cabins, shepherd’s huts and pods, asking leading manufacturers the questions that will help you fast-track the process of choosing accommodation. With the launch of new company Posh Outdoors, we interviewed its co-founder Nick Purslow about his strategy to bridge the gap between ultra-luxury resorts and mid-range operators.
I wish everyone a fruitful season ahead as we usher in the warmer days of spring – happy glamping!
Editor, International Glamping Business
Cover image: Paperbark Camp
10 12 15 18 23 24 26 27 32 37 39
FEW & FAR COLLECTION
INTERVIEW WITH POSH OUTDOORS
THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY OF STAFFING
GET BACK TO NATURE IN STYLE
INSURANCE PROTECTION
ANNIE GOES GLAMPING
THE GLAMPING SHOW UK
CABINS, HUTS & PODS
CONQUERING OFF-GRID CHALLENGES
REDEFINING OUTDOOR HOSPITALITY SUMMIT
ECO RESORT NETWORK 2024
International Glamping Business is published by: Upgrade Publishing. Registered address: 47 Oliver Close, London W4 3RL
Publisher: Upgrade Publishing, Steph Curtis-Raleigh. e: steph@upgradepublishing.com
Design: Dean Coulter, Design on Tap. www.designontap.co.uk www.glampingbusiness.com Instagram @thisisglamping Facebook @thisisglamping
Other Events:
The Glamping Show w: www.glampingshow.com e: dan.w@swanevents.co.uk
Glamping Show Americas w: www.glampingshow.us e: david@glampingshow.us Eco Resort Network w: www.ecoresort.network e: steph@ecoresort.network
A new trade body for the UK glamping sector could be established as early as June, following a call to arms by leading industry operator and Dragon’s Den star, Derry Green of Secret Garden Glamping.
“I have written or will be writing to everyone I know in the sector,” said Derry Green. “It has become clear to me that we need to have a professional voice for glamping that can get both national and local government to help this wonderful industry thrive, rather than put obstacles in the way of a great British success story.
“We also need to talk to each other more about the challenges we face and find common solutions. I have therefore asked the industry to come together in June to discuss whether or not it would support such an initiative.”
The meeting will be held at the The Gables Best Western Hotel, Falfield, just off the M5 between Bristol and Gloucester at 2.00 p.m. on June 12th. It will invite the industry to discuss the issues and challenges it wants addressed and if it has an appetite to form a new trade association, provisionally called the
French companies MooVert and Aurae Cocoon have announced a strategic partnership aimed at developing and enhancing the glamping tourism offering in France. This collaboration seeks to provide unique and sustainable accommodation options for travelers seeking authentic experiences.
While many owners of vacation rentals, B&Bs, and campgrounds possess the space to develop this new offering, they may lack the necessary guidance. Moreover, farmers, often grappling with economic challenges, have the opportunity to broaden their revenue streams by incorporating tourism offerings on their properties, accentuated by authentic encounters linked to their agricultural activities.
MooVert and Aurae Cocoon have united forces to support these prospective players in the hospitality realm and enrich the tourism landscape in France – finding common ground from their mutual involvement in the Provence Travel Innovation (PTI) incubation program.
Glamping Industries Trades Association (GITA).
“My hope is the industry will see the merits of establishing a clear and loud voice for our sector,” continued Green. “But, it is up to my peers at the end of the day. Any trade body has to be set up by the industry and run for the industry.”
It is understood that professional trade association management company, Arete Business Solutions, has been asked to provide advice on the potential creation of a new association. Its Managing Director,
John White, said, “Having met Derry and looked into the glamping market, I can readily see there is an opportunity for a new professional association to help drive the industry’s agenda forward.
“I am pleased to be able to offer my long experience of trade association management to the sector and hopefully this project will come to fruition in the not too distant future.”
Anyone interested in attending the meeting, should contact Derry Green at info@thesecretgardenglamping.uk .
Aurae Cocoon, specialists in the design of playful structures, and MooVert, a booking platform, have forged a partnership to deliver personalised support. Aurae Cocoon specializes in the design, production and distribution of innovative and unique accommodation solutions. At the heart of its product range is the Lotus, a glamping accommodation.
Soon, Aurae Cocoon will also launch sanitary solutions that are modular, flexible and autonomous, further enhancing the experience of unique accommodations. MooVert, on the other hand, is available in 12 languages and offers travellers a curated selection
of ‘unique, eco-friendly and authentic experiences in the lap of nature’.
According to Pier Tognazzini, the founder of MooVert, their aim is to offer “more than just a typical tourist excursion in France.” Through the partnership with Aurae Cocoon, they envision unlocking additional destinations across the country.
Lætitia Leclerre, co-founder of Aurae Cocoon, remarked, “Glamping caters to this burgeoning tourism trend, and Aurae Cocoon aids service providers in offering unparalleled accommodations, undiscovered locales, and an authentic connection to nature.”
This spring, Hypedome introduces the Hypedome L, expanding its range of glamping solutions. Following the success of the sleek Hypedome M glamping pods, the new model brings enhanced possibilities for luxury outdoor accommodations with its even more spacious and versatile design.
The Hypedome L, anticipated in the glamping industry, brings enhanced functionality with its design. Made from durable polycarbonate and expanding
to a 20 ft / 6 m diameter, it provides significantly more space (320 sq ft / 30 m²) than a standard hotel room, meeting the demand for adaptable, cost-effective large-scale outdoor living accommodations.
“We’re thrilled to offer a complete glamping solution that blends luxury with the untouched beauty of the outdoors,” says Adam Lyczakowski, CEO of Hypedome. “The Hypedome L supports various configurations, easily dividing
The first building constructed from mycelium is currently taking shape in the Czech Republic, led by home reconstruction financier Buřinka and designed by graduate Tomasz Kloza, offering a fresh take on the modern glamping experience. With its unique morphology, the project serves as a showcase for the diverse applications of mycelium in sustainable construction.
Jakub Seifert, chairman of the MYMO Association, a partner in the SAMOROST experiment with Buřinka, highlights the versatility of this innovative material, which can be utilised for insulation, house structures, and furniture, among other uses.
Tomasz Kloza, a member of the MYMO Association and a graduate student at the Faculty of Architecture of the Czech Technical University in Prague, envisioned the glamping prototype resembling two parasol mushrooms emerging from the ground.
Kloza explains, “Our ‘mushrooms’ consist of fourteen identical segments, resembling a jigsaw puzzle. We combined natural and sustainable components with mycelium to create a unique whole.”
The architect’s design incorporates wooden and segmented shingles on the roof, reminiscent of a parasol mushroom’s cap, along with decorative mycelium elements and a green facade linking the living spaces.
The SAMOROST house concept by Buřinka offers flexibility in the size and layout of the ‘mushrooms’, allowing for various internal configurations and functions. MYMO members Karolína Petřeková and Petra Jašicová have chosen to combine a kitchen with seating in one mushroom and a bedroom in the other.
“Our goal was to create a practical interior space using mycocomposite and other natural materials, while also offering
into zones or incorporating bathroom and kitchen spaces, all showcased within its unparalleled design.”
The new size dome enhances the glamping experience with customization options across four distinct styles: crystal clear, mirror, opal, and tinted grey. Hypedome stands out as the sole provider of the innovative frameless mirror dome finish, which adds a unique aesthetic to any setting. The Hypedome L is complemented by varied accessories, providing everything needed for an upscale outdoor retreat.
The Hypedome L is also ideal for diverse hospitality events, ranging from cocktail parties and business gatherings to workshops and yoga classes, ensuring each occasion is uniquely memorable.
With the Hypedome L, the brand strengthens its top position in luxurious outdoor living, encouraging hospitality businesses to create even more memorable spaces.
a luxurious yet natural ambiance that captivates visitors,” they explain. The kitchen features integrated appliances and ample storage, while the bedroom includes tailored storage for gadgets and electric space heaters for warmth.
Extensive use of mycocomposite materials in the furnishings further enhances the modern glamping design.
“The SAMOROST House will be completed by the end of this year. We will showcase a section of the house, along with the complete technical solution, at an experiential exhibition in the gallery of the National Technical Library. While initially designed for glamping, this type of building holds potential for various applications,” concludes Jakub Seifert.
Two award-winning names in the glamping industry have joined forces with the launch of a new partnership between glampsite experts Tractors & Cream and geodome manufacturer TruDomes.
Well-known throughout the glamping community and beyond, Vicki and Bryan Jones own the Tractors & Cream eco retreat in Somerset which includes seven TruDomes geodomes and was featured on BBC Two show, My Unique B&B.
The husband-and-wife couple will be using their wealth of experience in launching and
running a successful glamping business to provide a free consultancy service with every dome order, offering advice to TruDomes customers on every aspect of the industry, from planning to marketing.
Vicki Jones said, “We meet many aspiring glamping businesses that have big dreams but don’t know where to start. There is so much conflicting information and it can seem overwhelming, so some expert guidance at the start of the journey is extremely valuable. “We can talk through site layout, energy sources, getting services to the dome, the building of the dome and
Agriland.co.uk reported that rural landowners and farmers are should consider the VAT intricacies involved in launching a glamping venture.
Saffrey LLP, an accountancy firm, highlighted the growth of glamping within the UK tourism sector, presenting an appealing diversification avenue for rural enterprises.
While glamping offers a promising revenue stream for landowners, navigating VAT regulations is essential. Saffrey emphasized that glamping services are subject to standard VAT rates, necessitating careful financial planning.
For UK suppliers, exceeding the VAT
registration threshold triggers mandatory registration, previously set at £85,000 and recently risen to £90,000 as of April 1st 2024.
Nick Hart, VAT director at Saffrey LLP, stressed the importance of maximizing VAT recovery, particularly given the significant initial investment required for equipment and setup. Businesses may opt to register for VAT upfront to streamline the reclamation process and improve cash flow during the setup phase.
Regarding operational structure, Saffrey noted that many glamping ventures are managed through separate entities for asset protection and risk mitigation. However, they cautioned that such arrangements
its base, as well as every other consideration including marketing, insurance, booking systems, day-to-day running costs –whatever anyone feels they need help with.”
TruDomes Vice President, Louise Stone, said, “We are delighted to have Vicki and Bryan on board to bring added value to our clients. Tractors & Cream are highly regarded throughout the glamping industry and they have built an amazing following through their YouTube channel. “They have a real passion for sustainable glamping and I know that their expertise will be a fantastic resource for our customers, especially when it comes to the marketing and promoting a glampsite, one of the most important elements to get right.”
TruDomes established a strong relationship with Tractors & Cream in 2019 when the glampsite ordered a set of domes to expand its range of accommodation.
Bryan Jones said, “The partnership with TruDomes is a natural fit as they have been an integral part of our glamping story – when we were researching suppliers, TruDomes stood out way above the competition, not only for the quality of the product but also their customer service.
require thorough consideration of VAT implications, especially concerning land usage rights and equipment procurement.
Hart advised businesses to seek expert advice during the planning stage to establish an optimal operational structure and address VAT concerns preemptively. Additionally, he highlighted the complexity of VAT reporting for glamping businesses, particularly regarding gross income calculation and accounting timing, urging newcomers to seek professional guidance to avoid overlooking critical VAT considerations.
Br ought to life by the Founders of Under Canvas, Few & Far seeks to reimagine the way we travel with the launch of an industryleading ultra-luxury experiences brand centered on sustainability.
In a decade fueled by a soaring demand for sustainable outdoor escapades and a fervor to explore and protect our planet’s wildest places, Few & Far offers reimagined sustainable safari & ultra-luxury outdoor experiences around the world, launched on March 6, 2024.
Conceptualized by venerable travel & hospitality industry veterans, Co-Founders Sarah & Jacob Dusek, formerly of Under Canvas, the U.S.’ largest & leading glamping company, Few & Far aims to bring the safari experience to life on a global scale with a new high-end experiential brand destined to become a key player within the impact tourism conversation eco-system.
Under the direction of these two award-winning travel visionaries and innovative change makers, the collection was born from the realization of the exponential power of the hospitality industry to drive change, foster economic and environmental nutrition, protect fragile environments while creating sustainable access to incredible destinations across the world.
Through carbon-neutral immersive journeys and their very own eco-minded luxurious accommodations tucked away within extraordinary remote and wild locales around the globe, Few & Far is determined to revive and redefine the safari experience as we know it today.
The first 25 carefully crafted experiences feature sustainable and luxurious itineraries in offthe-grid locales such as the Peruvian Amazon, the Botswana Bush, the Italian Dolomites, and through some of North America’s most exhilarating wilderness destinations, ranging from $10,000 – $50,000 per trip.
Experiences include immersive journeys through Argentina & Chile starting in the jungle and traveling to the ‘end of the world’, combining culture and the world’s most spectacular natural wonders, to an immersive journey through Slovenia hiking the Julian Alps, rafting down emerald rivers, or exploring the remarkable UNESCO Škocjan Caves system. Additional experiences will be added throughout the year, expanding the brand’s footprint to regions such as Asia, the Pacific, and Antarctica.
Available starting May – September 2024 for the summer, Few & Far will launch several
seasonal experiences in luxury custom tented private camps in otherworldly destinations across the U.S. including the Grand Canyon, San Juan Islands, Grand Tetons, Mendocino, Yellowstone Country, and the Sierra Nevada, offering solar-powered, carbon neutral local excursions across America’s iconic landscapes.
Each itinerary features a twist: for every trip booked, travelers will receive a comprehensive review of the impact generated on their journey.
For instance, guests embarking on the “Lima and The Peruvian Amazon” adventure will directly support local female artisans, empowering local communities along the riverine areas through Delfin Amazon Cruises’ program – leaving a lasting positive footprint on the communities encountered and the lungs of the world protected.
Slated to open later this year (Q4 2024), Few & Far will also debut its first-ever eco-lodge, a biophilic 60-room experiential luxury abode, located atop South Africa’s elusive Forgotten Mountains within UNESCO’s Vhembe Biosphere Reserve – one of the world’s most biologically diverse regions in the world (more biodiversity than all of Europe combined!).
With the possibility of arriving via luxury train, coming online in 2025, to your own private stop, guests will be taken to their mountain top home aboard a uniquely designee sky tram, ascending 750 meters in elevation through one of the most impressive biomes on earth, hosting some of the world’s largest baobab trees in Africa and over 30 species found nowhere else.
Few & Far’s eco-lodge emerges as one of the world’s most distinctive ultra-luxury safari accommodations. Thoughtfully designed by Jacob and a team of skilled architects, the lodge aims to mimic the natural curves of the wide array of living plants in the biosphere, working in symbiosis with nature rather than against it, to provide a truly immersive experience to guests – one where they feel a part of the nature that surrounds them.
This experiential lodge seeks to redefine the African safari experience with a unique solar powered aerial experience, launching at the end of 2024 and 2025, inspired by the weaver bird nests: a state-of-the-art cable car system, that will provide guests with a firsthand look at Jacob’s innovative designs: a game viewing experience spanning a 40 km track around the
reserve, allowing guests to traverse above the wildlife and encounter the bush in a truly extraordinary way.
As further evidence of Few & Far’s dedication to rewilding & sustainability, over 100,000 hectares of the region are currently being petitioned to become a newly protected conservation area, to further bring awareness to the Limpopo region and the Soutpansberg Mountains.
Beyond setting benchmarks, Few & Far aims to create a blueprint for impact tourism and the start of a regenerative luxury travel movement that reframes our relationship to the environment and resonates globally.
By investing in building a legacy of conservation and sustainability, all experiences are rooted in protecting, preserving, and leaving a positive impact on green spaces around the world, driving conservation efforts, creating social resilience, and stimulating socioeconomic empowerment through economic nutrition.
Few & Far isn’t solely about innovation; it embodies the philosophy that businesses are sustainable solutions to problems, championing the idea that they should create self-sufficiencies and drive positive change by generating employment opportunities, fostering economic growth in the areas they operate and assist in rewilding the environment they inhabit— catalysts for local development, aligning profitability with purposeful impact.
Following the incredible success of Under Canvas, the Dusek’s also created Enygma Ventures, a private investment fund dedicated to supporting and investing in women-led businesses in Africa that has helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs since its inception in 2019, in industries such as fintech, AI, online education, and CPG companies.
There, Sarah aims to demystify the complicated and often inaccessible world of funding to help make capital accessible to women, thus driving economic and social progressive change.
fewandfarcollection.com
Following the launch of Posh Outdoors, a scalable, boutique luxury glamping platform, International Glamping Business spoke with Nick Purslow, its Co-Founder and Director of Business Development, to learn more about his strategy to bridge the gap between ultra-luxury resorts and midrange operators.
What is Posh Outdoors and what does it offer?
In a nutshell, Posh Outdoors supplies luxury, year-round, unique glamping structures to landowners at no up-front cost to them, in return for a split of the revenue. In doing this, we significantly reduce the capital requirements for landowners looking to get into glamping.
We’re primarily looking to partner with existing outdoor businesses such as wineries, wedding venues and ranches. The revenue share model will allow us to scale significantly faster than if we pursued a traditional groundup development model. Instead of spending months finding raw land, doing due diligence and negotiating a purchase price, the land comes to us, usually with infrastructure in place.
We recently announced our big crowdfunding raise, and more than $100k was invested in the pot within two weeks. We’re speaking to lots of potential investors, and we’re always on the lookout for more as we seek to raise a minimum of $1.2 million.
Providing upscale accommodation to operators with no upfront cost on a revenue share basis sounds too good to be true – how do you plan to make it work?
To give an example, we have our first deal signed with a glamping site that’s already being built in the Rocky Mountains of Canada. Provided we raise the capital, we’ll be sending 20 units and receiving 30% of their projected $2.4 million annual revenue. This would generate a tidy $720,000 in revenue per year for Posh Outdoors – and that’s just one project. The cost of buying and sending the units to our landowner partners will quickly be repaid with the revenue from these types of luxury glamping projects, which is a segment that offers incredible ROI in general.
The luxury glamping segment itself sometimes sounds a little too good to be true, but it’s very real. Our board member, Ben Wolff, exited his 11-unit boutique glamping
“This model of employee-light, boutique luxury glamping is the future, and offers returns that simply aren’t available in other asset classes.”
operation in Fredericksburg, Texas, after just 14 months of operations at a valuation of $7 million. He’s been able to charge incredibly high nightly rates (easily upward of $500) with very few on-site staff. This model of employee-light, boutique luxury glamping is the future, and offers returns that simply aren’t available in other asset classes.
What are you looking for in the businesses that you will partner with? Will they have to be existing tourism businesses?
The good news is that we have plenty of potential partners in the pipeline, as my glamping consultancy (Glampitect North America) and our structure supplier’s business (EJH Distribution) generate a ton of landowner leads. So we can afford to be
selective with our partners and locations. We’re primarily looking to partner with existing tourism businesses, as they’ll usually have zoning, infrastructure and footfall in place, but we’re open to any properties that are ‘iconic’ and where the landowner partner is the right fit.
Will they carry the Posh Outdoors brand?
Posh Outdoors will be more of a soft brand. Our name will be a form of quality assurance, and we’ll be able to provide marketing benefits to our partners by having our own listing site, for example. But, because we’ll be operating in such a wide variety of locations (from winter glamping operations in the Rockies to tropical agritourism sites in Florida), we don’t want to impose an overpowering brand on our partners. As long as they’re providing a sufficiently high-quality guest experience, we’ll be giving our partners freedom to develop their own local feel. They know the area and their target audience intimately, after all.
Will you expand beyond North America?
It’s absolutely a possibility, but our early focus will be on the US and Canada, where we have plenty of partners in the pipeline.
Tell us about your first project in Canada?
Provided we raise the capital in a timely fashion, our first project will be called Skyridge Glamping. We’ve partnered with the leaseholder of a truly stunning property in the gorgeous Kananaskis region of the Rockies (very close to Banff), and we’ll be sending 10 “Skybox” tiny homes and 10 Tubbo units. The latter is a truly unique structure, which will be the first of its kind in North America.
“As
long as they’re providing a sufficiently high-quality guest experience, we’ll be giving our partners freedom to develop their own local feel. They know the area and their target audience intimately, after all.”
Who is behind the Posh Outdoors brand?
It’s a mixture of serial entrepreneurs and experienced glamping industry professionals. Our CEO, Kevin O’Brien, and CFO, Lee Pritchard, have had several multi-milliondollar exits between them in different industries, and have been working on getting into glamping for some time. The team members with a glamping background are myself (owner of a glamping consultancy), Ed Haynes (owner of EJH Distribution, the company supplying the luxury glamping structures) and board member Ben Wolff (owner of Onera, the 11-unit operation valued at $7 million). We also expect to add some exciting industry players to the board in due course.
It truly is a bit of an all-star team assembling in the right industry at the right time.
Posh Outdoors is actively looking for investors. To get involved, head to posh. dealpage.io.
By Kerry Roy Founder of Camp Katúr & Cerchio del Desiderio
There’s a new term called ‘The Solopreneur’, a self employed individual who works solo on their business –apparently not needing anyone else to help with the running of their project. But, for the majority of glamping businesses, an inhouse team is essential for development, whilst maintaining smooth operation of the business.
Imagine that you have 6 rooms or more and you are a Solopreneur! You would be run ragged with exhaustion. Some areas of the business would begin to slip into a state of dismay and, after a period of time trying to be a Super Human, the feeling of resentment towards your business will creep in. Many Glampreneurs enter the business for the change of lifestyle, but, if you wish
to diversify, the lifestyle will be nothing but work, work and more work depending on the size of your site. You can create yourself a job, or create yourself a business.
Hiring staff can be both exciting and challenging at the same time. It’s important that you as the owner play to your strengths. Some skilled tasks can be delegated to freelance experts – this could be website design, web management, marketing, social media, wedding planning or accounting, all of which are roles that to employ a specific skilled individual in these areas would be higher salary costs. The work of these roles are likely to be ad hoc occasional requirements.
However, the less skilled roles that are also crucial to the business on a more regular basis are often delegated via an in-house
team such as, housekeeping, reception/ reservations, maintenance management, activities and restaurant staff. So that you, the owner, can focus on the growth and income of the business working more on it than in it. In the words of Steve Jobs, “The musicians play the instruments. I play the orchestra.”
There are of course pros and cons to consider, especially for small seasonal glamping businesses whom often may not be able to commit to year-round employment contracts. However, you can still employ staff on part time seasonal contracts. In some countries whereby tourism is one of their biggest GDP sectors, the government offer to fund staff a percentage of their salary during closing season, therefore benefiting the
Hiring staff can be both exciting and challenging at the same time. It’s important that you as the owner play to your strengths.
employee during closing season. The benefit to the employer is that the same member of staff will often return the following season because they have some level of security during off season months. When you have good staff, you don’t want them to leave and have to repeatedly advertise for and train new staff. Some employers may even offer to spread the salary of the opening season over a period of 12 months or offer an end of year bonus, providing the employee has reached all required targets successfully.
If you’re worried about entering into legal work and contracts, then the better option is to use agency workers or freelancers which takes away the responsibility of holiday pay, sick pay, maternity/paternity leave, health insurance, pensions and so forth.
Within the hospitality industry, an increasing number of businesses are now using virtual assistance (VA) or AI to also cover the likes of reception reservations, especially if the owner is not always available and does not have a large enough site to employ an actual receptionist. Remember though that many of these external or automated services do not know the business like you do, or like a trained member of staff would, so a percentage of their assistance is just message-taking for you to then follow up.
Below are three recommendations of Freelance websites, where you can find ad hoc assistants for various skilled tasks.
n Bark
n Fivver
n People Per Hour
Employment in-house
The Good n Better control of hours, work tasks &
growth opportunities for both parties
n Employee more invested in the company
n Trained staff can help take the company further faster than that of temporary external contractors
n Loyalty and availability
n Delegation longevity
The Bad n Sick pay required
n Holiday pay
n Maternity pay
n Insurance & pension contributions
n Employee rights vary country to country
The Ugly
One bad apple can spoil the barrel. When there is conflict amongst the team or between yourself and a team member, it can make for a very uncomfortable environment that can negatively impact team morale and productivity. Depending on your country, Human Resources Laws vary on how you can tackle a bad apple. Unless there’s a reason for legal instant dismissal, yourself and the team will have to learn how to work with the sour situation, as well as learn how to effectively manage the employee’s character, work ethic and negative attitude in the hope to resolve all conflicts and morale.
Many who enter into the glamping industry have not been trained how to be a manager or a boss. Being the boss can either feel natural or it can feel awkward for many – especially when having to patiently deal with varied personality types, team conflicts or occasional aggression from the people whom you pay to help run the business smoothly. The glamping industry is often more of a relaxed environment than that of corporate. Often the owners live within the business whereby their personal lives are exposed to the team, making it difficult to
create a separation between the boss persona and personal persona. Gone are the days where the boss is the narcissist, suit-and-tie character pointing the finger. Nowadays, staff fortunately have a more ‘open door’ culture, with managers who are less strict and more fluid and compassionate in their management style. However, too much flexibility can also backfire, so it’s important from the get go that all new members of the team have clear job descriptions, working hours and responsibilities, along with clear boundaries for both parties to engage in a successful working relationship.
Improved cash flow is the key to success within any business, even if you have great turnover and great end of year profits. The cash flow is what will make the business survive, so it’s important that you control the hours your team work – not your team.
There are certain roles within the business for which you know the hours required to work. Therefore, fixed hour employees are often on a salary so that you know the exact amount to pay each month. In other roles, for example housekeeping, it will depend on the fluctuation of guest reservations – it is more difficult to put housekeeping staff on a salary. Instead, you can set hourly pay or pay per room. Most accommodation providers set a standard on the max time it should take to clean a room; normally it is between 30 minutes to 1 hour for a small/medium sized hotel room. However, some large self-catered glamping accommodation will take longer, as it is not as easy as just pulling a trolley along a corridor room to room like in a hotel. There are variances to consider within the glamping industry, but the importance is that you have a good system ensuring that hours are kept to a minimum, whilst still being able to maintain high cleaning standards.
Paperbark Camp, a tented bush camp in Jervis Bay, Australia, is celebrating its 25 year anniversary of providing personalised, unique, and thoughtful experiences that reconnect them with nature. International Glamping Business’ Editor Annie Hilton spoke to Camilla Hamilford, Operations Manager, to learn more about its success story.
Can you give us an overview of your camp, your inspiration and your driving philosophy?
Paperbark Camp opened in 1999 after many years of dreaming and planning. It was a huge rollercoaster ride which took unbelievable patience from the time that the owners, Irena & Jeremy Hutchings, first started talking about giving up their day jobs to build a camp in the Australian bush.
The dream started in Africa, when over a few ‘sundowners’ with good friends in their
private safari camp, Jeremy & Irena realised that the same concept would be ideal for Australia. Having been enthusiastic campers in their earlier years, they still loved the feeling of being amongst nature, but were no longer so enthusiastic about the whole process of planning, packing and unpacking that is required with traditional camping.
After returning to Australia, they discovered Jervis Bay and its pristine environment – and also noticed there was not much accommodation available. Being only a few hours drive from Sydney, it was an easy weekend destination. The idea of creating their own Aussie version of the African tented camp really began to take hold.
There were a few more years of planning, discussing ideas with friends and generally working up the courage to take the plunge. It was scary thinking of giving up secure jobs and a nice city lifestyle to risk everything,
especially as may people thought it to be a pretty crazy idea. Whilst their vision was strong, it was hard convincing others.
Eventually, they found what they were looking for: a 100 acre site of untouched bush land with creek frontage and close to the shores of Jervis Bay. They finally took the leap, leaving Sydney to begin the long process of satisfying council and government requirements to build on a protected wetland – not to mention a type of accommodation that hadn’t seen before and could not easily fall into traditional categories.
Paperbark Camp opened at a fortuitous time; the internet was growing fast, sustainability was becoming a key decision driver as people looked for nature-based experiences, and the typical 4-5 star hotel experience had lost its lustre for many people who regularly travelled for business.
From the moment it opened, it was hugely popular and its reputation grew, along with the luxury camping phenomenon which soon had its own moniker, ‘glamping’.
Twenty five years on, whilst Irena & Jeremy are still around and often pop by for their customary afternoon G&T, they have passed the baton on to myself and my brother, Ben Hutchings, who together keep the dream alive.
Over the years, the camp has evolved somewhat from the original basic version of a small private bush camp and the Gunyah is now an integral part of the camp, with an established restaurant (never part of the original plans) renowned for its fine food and unique atmosphere… a treehouse for possums and foodies alike! It has become a special space for weddings and has proven popular for conferences, family gatherings and celebrations.
Today, we welcome guests from around the world looking for a genuine Australian bush experience as well as many weary city folk looking for an antidote to their hectic lives. So many years on it still gives us all immense satisfaction to see our guests enjoying our special part of the world and appreciating the beauty of our natural surroundings.
What type of accommodation can guests expect when staying at Paperbark?
The camp is based on African-style luxury tents that we import from South Africa. They are installed on a raised timber deck with a pared back, each having a private openair ensuite with bath looking out onto the surrounding tranquil bush.
Who is your typical guest; are they largely Australian natives or tourists from overseas?
Being just 170km from Sydney, our primary market is Sydney weekenders, but we have also worked in the inbound market for a long time and welcome many guests from abroad – in particular from the UK, Germany, Netherlands, France and Scandinavian countries. We are increasingly seeing visitors from India and other areas of Asia.
Over your 25 years, how have you noticed the industry shift – and how is this reflected in the way you run the camp?
The audience has widened hugely. In the early days, unless people had traveled to Africa, they were not familiar with the luxury camping concept at all. We spent a lot of time deliberating over what we should call our accommodation, but eventually decided that the word ‘tent’ (which is what they are) was not a dirty word and that we would refer to them as just that – not cabins, not rooms, but tents! Twenty five years later, we no longer have to explain the concept; we rarely welcome a guest these days who is not wellversed on the term ‘glamping’.
Whilst we have welcomed the expansion of the industry around Australia, it has meant that we do need to maintain a high level of service, which, of course, affects the price point. The hospitality industry in Australia is facing increasing wages which are already high in comparison to the rest of the world, so we are competing with destinations in SE Asia which some may perceive as offering better value for money.
Our mission now is to enhance people’s lives by providing personalised, unique, and thoughtful experiences that reconnect them with nature.
Our mission now is to enhance people’s lives by providing personalised, unique, and thoughtful experiences that reconnect them with nature.
Can you share any memorable or unique guest experiences at Paperbark?
Oh wow, there’s just too many! We’ve had so many joyous occasions over the years, including our own family weddings! From engagements to weddings, milestone birthday celebrations, and also very special end-of-life experiences with people wanting to spend time together in comfort but amongst nature. It is extremely humbling for us when we realise people have us on their bucket list of things to do.
Paperbark has an ECO Certification – can you tell us more about this?
Sustainability was an obvious objective for Irena & Jeremy when they first designed the camp. They wanted to keep the environment as natural as possible, removing as few older growth trees as possible, installing solar panels and generally aim for minimal impact. Eco Certification was an obvious progression, and then Advanced Eco Certification a few years later. We continue to operate as lightly as possible, but today many of the initiatives that were groundbreaking at the time are now standard practice, and we are constantly seeking ways to improve our operations but always maintain viability.
Ecotourism Australia has been a great support and community to be a part of, sharing information and experience as well as promoting and advocating for our sector.
How does Paperbark support or pay homage to the Indigenous people?
Paperbark Camp has had a long relationship with the local Traditional Custodians of the Wandi Wandian lands that we are situated on. They regularly offer cultural experiences including Smoking Ceremonies, Welcome to Country and cultural performance, providing an opportunity for our guests to learn about the local Indigenous history and encouraging them to seek out the various Aboriginal experiences now available in the surrounding region.
We are culturally sensitive and respectful of their connection to Country and seek to learn how we too can live at one with Mother Earth, ensuring she remains healthy for future generations.
We support and encourage local Indigenous tourism operators, as well as various training programs that seek to improve the skills of local Aboriginal youth so that they can share that experience with community and improve their hospitality skills. We are also a financial supporter of Waminda, the regional Aboriginal Women’s Health Centre.
What experiences do you offer at Paperbark and how do they enhance the overall guest experience?
Apart from the luxury tented accommodation amongst the paperbark and gums, and a candlelit dining room serving fine food, cocktails and wine amongst the treetops, we also offer complimentary canoes, kayaks and
SUP boards for enjoying the waterway and bikes for exploring the local area. Many guests haven’t been on a bike for years, so they love it when they realise they can still do it!
Exploring the creek by canoe is so peaceful, watching the waterbirds as they go about their day and keeping an eye out for brightly coloured Azure Kingfishers wiles away an hour or two easily. A couple of easy walking trails also provide the opportunity for wildlife encounters such as kangaroos, parrots, possums and sugargliders. A bit of physical exercise also helps make room for another delicious meal in the Gunyah dining room!
We also offer in-room massages, private yoga and Breathwork sessions.
Can you tell us more about hosting weddings and retreats – what does it look like behind-the-scenes?
Whilst weddings are not our primary business, we do have the pleasure of hosting couples a few times a year as they celebrate their love in front of friends and family. Luckily, most people who choose a venue such as ours are lovers of nature and so we find they embrace the surroundings and style of accommodation and are fun to work with when making arrangements. No doubt, behind-the-scenes of weddings is much more work than guests realise and weather watching goes next-level in the week leading up to the big day!
We would love to offer more retreats, however we are somewhat limited as to how many we offer – they are not as viable as being open for a regular weekend as we generally end up with less guests and have the restaurant closed to the public. We plan to have a dedicated space in the next year created for yoga and workshops which will make it more feasible.
What are your plans and goals for the future of Paperbark?
Strict planning controls mean that expansion per se on this site is unlikely, but we are always seeking to improve and build on the guest experience, mostly with regards to service tweaks. However, we know that there is a lot of opportunity in the surrounding area as Jervis Bay is a fast growing destination with few accommodation options other than holiday houses and traditional motels. We hope that the right property becomes available for us to expand our offering – possibly with a more DIY glamping option that is self catering and also an eco lodge with additional amenities.
Finally, if you could give one piece of advice to other glamping business owners, what would it be?
Be prepared for anything! By its very nature, glamping is fraught with issues that traditional accommodation is not, even more so if
Be prepared for anything! By its very nature, glamping is fraught with issues that traditional accommodation is not, even more so if situated in remote areas.
situated in remote areas. You need to know your equipment inside out, employ staff who are real all-rounders and have some maintenance skills… in our experience having someone who can sew on staff is very helpful!
paperbarkcamp.com.au
In today’s technological world which comes with many benefits, a downside can be that it becomes difficult for individuals and businesses to have access to specialists to speak to directly, with the insurance industry being no exception.
Friar Best Insurance Services Limited, established in 2003 and based in Northumberland, are specialists in advising on and arranging flexible insurance covers for glamping site owners according to needs.
The company is passionate about helping people with their glamping insurance requirements, which through their own specialist knowledge and identification of essential – and often diverse – risk factors associated with glamping sites, site owners have the right insurance protection in place for their requirements.
For those who are at the early stages of planning a glamping site, Friar Best strongly recommend that the various aspects of insurance for sites is discussed with an insurance professional at the outset, as advice can be provided in relation to what is possibly more favourable when it comes to arranging insurance.
For arranging insurance, it is the management of risk which is allimportant, and therefore recognising potential risks and taking steps to reduce the risk of “accidents” is beneficial when embarking on setting up a glamping site. This particularly applies to facilities additional to glamping accommodation provided, e.g. hot tubs, saunas, children’s play areas etc.
The basic essential insurance for sites is having Liability Insurance, and this is the base of an insurance policy. It is important that all property and features on the land are provided.
Public Liability Insurance covers claims for incidents that occur in connection with the glamping business activities. This can be personal injuries, or the loss of, or damage to property. As landowners of the site, Property Owners’ Liability also needs to be included and this should encompass all land owned if extending beyond where the glamping site is contained.
Employers’ Liability Insurance is a legal requirement if there are any employees, including any casual or voluntary help,
such as WWOOFers (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms).
By the nature of glamping sites, and the tendency of some sites diversifying into additional site ‘activities’, it is essential for details to be provided to Insurers for agreement (or otherwise), before any such activities take place.
Additional Comprehensive Cover for Site Owners can then be included to protect the property and assets of the business, e.g. accommodation, facilities, site maintenance equipment, honesty shops and site cafes etc., and Business Interruption cover for ‘loss of income’ resulting from an otherwise insured ‘material damage’ claim, i.e. where it becomes necessary to cancel immediate bookings, or honour those until property restored.
Having the right, and full insurance cover in place, helps to protect the future of the business and longer-term aims and objectives, and if the worst should happen, have claims dealt with expediently to get businesses fully operational as soon as possible. Learn more at friarbest.co.uk .
International Glamping Business’ Editor Annie Hilton recently stayed in a shepherd’s hut in Leicestershire with her partner and her dog, Egan. Here, she takes on the perspective of a guest and what she looked for before booking a dogfriendly glampsite.
As a dog owner, the first question I ask when invited anywhere is always, “Can I bring my dog?” – and it seems I am not alone in this. As of 2024, 36% of households own a dog, according to ukpetfood.org. When it comes to travel, Canopy & Stars’ 2024 market report found that dog holidays now make up nearly 20% of its bookings. Across the pond in the U.S., Glamping Business Americas reported that the number of people who travelled with their pets had ballooned from 36% in 2012 to 64% by 2020.
On one hand, the reality of allowing dogs on your glampsite isn’t always so pretty – it can mean extra cleaning costs, noisy barking, or, in a worst-case scenario, destruction of property. However, you might be missing a trick (and a pretty profit) when restricting dogs.
I was prepared to say goodbye to holidays when I first got my dog… but that doesn’t have to be the case. Granted, I wouldn’t take him on a plane to Bali, but I would absolutely bring him along to a staycation.
A quick background
Myself and my dog, Egan – a Doberman who’s nearly as tall as me on his hind legs, hence his nickname, ‘The Horse’ – live on a narrowboat, cruising along the canals in the south of England. When you quite literally move your home every two weeks, it’s hard to remember that sometimes you need a holiday. So, in March, my partner and I booked a dog-friendly weekend getaway to ‘Nomad’ at Cowslip Meadows in Laughton, Leicestershire.
The selection process
Being the Editor of a glamping magazine, of course we chose to go glamping. I personally love the classic appeal of a shepherd’s hut and felt it was ‘dog-proof’ enough that Egan wouldn’t get out. While we love our home on the towpath, the main drawback – especially with a dog – is the absence of a private garden; this was arguably the deciding factor when picking a site.
From a guest’s point of view, I would much rather pay a small additional fee (in my case it was an extra £20) to bring my dog, than use kennels for around £25+ per day. Depending on the length of your trip, it all adds up. I did expect to – and was more than happy to – pay a bit extra to bring a dog, so don’t be afraid to add on a charge for offering doggy amenities.
Combining these factors, these were my musthaves during the selection process:
n Enclosed area for off-leash shenanigans
n Peaceful location to feel a sense of escape
n Hot tub (I need to enjoy myself, too!) n Privacy, privacy, privacy
The staycation begins
The UK has been tormented by some questionable weather these past few months –I have sunbathed, been drenched and hailed on all in the same day. But, by some miracle, the weather fairies blessed us with one dry day during our getaway. I am no stranger to a muddy dog walk, but sometimes it’s nice to be able to feel your toes.
After an hour’s drive, we arrived in the gorgeous countryside of Laughton, a tiny village set upon rolling hills that went on as far as the eye could see. It was quintessentially British, down to the vintage Land Rovers parked in the driveways (much to my partner’s viewing pleasure) of stunning period farmhouses (much to my viewing pleasure).
The hut itself backed on to a cattle field, which, to my delight, was completely fenced in to avoid any dog-on-cow action and provided a great view (and morning wake-up call).
What caught my eye when browsing was the option to get a massage on site. I rarely take the time to treat myself to any self-care, but when I’m able to walk 100ft to get a massage, it was a no-brainer. Partnering with or offering your space to a local masseuse, sports therapist, yoga guru – you name it – is a fantastic idea to give guests the final nudge to complete the booking and was a definite ‘yes, please’ from me.
The design and layout was perfect for us – it felt homely and not too hotel-ish. We didn’t book a hotel room, so why would we want to feel like we’re in one? This included patterned bedding, fluffy pillows and thoughtful nuances (like a pair of vintage binoculars), as opposed to starchy white sheets and a lone TV remote. The kitchen was just the right size and didn’t dominate the space, leaving more room for us and The Horse to stretch out and relax – although as someone who lives in a 60ft tin can, I’m used to making small spaces work.
The hut had heated bathroom floors, all the necessities to cook a decent meal and central heating (which we didn’t end up needing with the wood stove). If you happen to own a dog and a wood stove, you will know that it’s nigh impossible to separate the two. I actually had to scoot Egan away more than a few times when I felt like he was about to start cooking.
The wood fired hot tub was included in the booking cost and we used it both nights. While I may have chosen a site without one, I have to admit, there is nothing like a hot soak under the stars.
Is it truly dog (and people) friendly?
Like there is a noticeable difference between hospitality and good hospitality, there’s a distinction between simply allowing dogs and being dog friendly. Luckily for us, during our stay we experienced both. Upon arrival, we received homemade biscuits and fresh laid eggs from the farm. Egan was given food bowls, a blanket, treats, a ball and compostable poo bags – just in case we left ours at home! The wood burning hot tub was also pre-packed with logs, ready to light. It’s these small touches that make a difference; guests always notice when their stay has been considered… or not.
Our hosts also took the time to recommend some nearby trails for dog walks and the best local pub – where we may have partaken in a pint or two. We were also offered a discount
on any future bookings before we departed, which was thoughtful and quite frankly good business.
Would I book again? Absolutely. Why?
Because I felt valued as a guest. I’m a firm believer in a little goes a long way. Realistically a tennis ball, a packet of dog treats and a carton of eggs isn’t going to break the bank, but it will make your guests feel like they’re all being taken care of. Egan wasn’t treated as a nuisance, but like a part of our family – which he is. Recognise that your pet-owning guest wants their dog to enjoy the holiday, too.
It’s also worth mentioning that, although he wouldn’t hurt a fly, Egan is a large, intimidating-looking dog and is of a few select breeds that often have a negative connotation. I am grateful the hosts did not prejudge – I’m sure owners of bigger breeds can relate to the
Nomad Hut, Cowslip Meadowsdisappointment when browsing a holiday and the property guidelines state no dogs over 15kg are allowed. Of course however, restricting banned or illegal breeds can be necessary for your business and insurance.
The bottom line is that you could be missing out on 36% of the UK staycation market if you restrict dogs at your site. In the same breath, if you claim the dog friendly label, you need to provide a suitable experience, or repeat bookings from pet-owners will dwindle.
Sadly Egan will not be joining me at the Eco Resort Network event in Mauritius this month, but I’ll definitely treat him to another holiday a little closer to home soon.
This stay was not gifted, however if you would like to book Nomad, visit holidaycottages. co.uk/cottage/93760-nomad
Swan Events is delighted to announce that the UK’s premier business-to-business event for the glamping industry, The Glamping Show, will celebrate its 10th anniversary when the annual event returns to Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire from 19th to 21st September 2024.
The Show is a specialist event that brings together manufacturers and suppliers of every type of structure, product and service that the glamping industry has to offer. It is an unmissable opportunity for anyone already running or looking to set up a glamping operation to see products first-hand and attend a range of seminars and workshops, hosted by leading industry figures, offering advice on setting up or expanding a glamping operation.
In the last decade, glamping has become increasingly popular and, as a consequence, the industry has grown to become a prominent part of the leisure business. Where it was once a niche concept, it is now a widely recognised and respected part of the outdoor
lifestyle industry. This year’s Show welcomes exhibitors from across the sector including bell tents, wigwams, pods, shepherds’ huts, cabins and gypsy caravans, to eco toilets, portable washrooms, storage containers, hot tubs, lighting, fire pits, barbeques and accessories.
The customer demographics of this free-toattend event are extremely diverse. Once again, organisers expect to welcome owners and operators of glamping sites, caravan & camping sites, holiday parks, leisure/theme parks, festival organisers, hotel chains, golf courses, farmers, national parks and woodland managers, as well as B&B/pub owners and smaller individual operators, among others. Continuing change for farm and land management and an increase in interest from corporate investors hints at the growth of larger scale projects and investment.
Given the outdoor nature of the sector, the organisers are returning to Stoneleigh Park in September since the venue enables exhibitors to showcase their products as they would be used in a real-life situation. There is plenty of
outdoor exhibiting space and huge exhibitor halls that lend themselves to this type of exhibition. Centrally located in Warwickshire, the showground provides easy transport links for visitors travelling from all areas of the UK, as well as internationally via Birmingham Airport.
According to Peter Rusbridge, Director of Swan Events: “The Glamping Show offers glamping suppliers the unique opportunity to showcase their products to a highly targeted audience. Many exhibitors are returning to the event for the 10th time this year due to the valuable return on investment the show offers businesses in the sector.”
To find out more about exhibiting at The Glamping Show, companies should contact Show Manager, Dan Wiseman, on 07958 030785, dan.w@theglampingshow. com, or visit www.theglampingshow.com/ exhibit/book-a-stand/. Although visitor registration is yet to open, visitors can also register their interest in attending at www. theglampingshow.com/forms/registerinterest/.
What inspired you to start a business for the glamping industry? Can you introduce us to your team?
Poor previous experiences influenced the type of business we wanted, as well as a desire to produce products that were both bespoke and cost effective. The team at Woodpecker are Owner Audrius, Business Partner Zilvinas, as well as the rest of our amazing design and production team.
What are the main advantages of using cabins for hospitality, in your opinion?
They provide a type of ‘luxury’ to what we are accustomed to in our own homes, but also they give us that real sense of outdoor living that we want when we are on holiday.
What makes yours stand out, when compared to other manufacturers?
They are all built with the customer in mind, from the start of the whole process to delivery. We are in control of every process, which includes our own wood supplier, an award-winning design team, and our own logistics company. That enables us to pass on the savings made to our customers, meaning that we provide a value for money service for everything we produce.
What is the most unusual or unique bespoke product you have created?
One would be the ‘small house’ that was created for a customer. When we built the prototype, it was designed with a kitchen on the ground floor with the addition of a bathroom adjacent to the kitchen area, with a seating area on the bottom. A small flight of stairs led up to the mezzanine, where there was a bedroom with an amazing all-round panoramic window – what a great project it was!
How much maintenance do your cabins require? Do you recommend any follow-up services?
They require very little in terms of actual maintenance when it comes to them being
managed, as long as they are looked after, cleaned correctly, and treated properly too. That said, we are always on the end of the phone or email to support our customers with the products they have purchased. In terms of the ‘after care’, it’s all about having a great working relationship with our customers.
What is the average wait time from ordering, to arriving on-site?
It depends on the size of the product –whether it’s a Leaf Pod, Hobbit House or the Wooden Framed Modular House (Mario). The usual wait time for order is around 5-7 weeks. If multiple products are ordered together, they will all be delivered together, due to the size and scale of production we have at the factory.
Can your products be assembled on-site or do they require transportation?
With our cabins, pods and huts, we are able to offer a series of options to the customer depending on the site or offering they have. In most cases, we will transport them to site and put them in situ for the customer. On a small number of occasions, we have flat packed them and then built them on site. What geographical markets do you cover? We cover the whole of the United Kingdom and mainland Europe too. Having the logistics company enables us to manage deliveries to everywhere around the UK and Europe.
How long is the lifespan of your products? Do you offer any warranties?
The lifespan of our products is usually around 8-10 years, however, if they are looked after correctly and maintained properly, they can give you a longer lifespan. We provide a 2-year warranty with all our products, with the addition of a first class after care service that enables us to support and exceed the needs of our customers.
What inspired you to start a business for the glamping industry? Can you introduce us to your team?
We fell in love with the idea of building shepherd huts and just knew they could provide a unique and unforgettable holiday rental opportunity, creating memorable holidays in the most remote and beautiful places with the added comfort of a boutique hotel. The pandemic showed us that not only were they fantastic holiday accommodation, but also made original home offices and spare rooms for people looking for more floorspace in their homes, but unwilling to move or have the disruption of an extension.
What are the main advantages of using shepherd huts for hospitality, in your opinion?
A quirky and delightful alternative to the more traditional holiday accommodation such as hotels and campsites, shepherd huts can provide year-round occupancy in interesting locations. They appeal to a variety of guests ranging from couples looking for a romantic getaway and families seeking adventure, to solo travellers keen for an escape from the day to day. Their compact design and sustainable materials also attract the more environmentallyminded guests who are looking for a luxury break in nature.
Ultimately, their unique blend of charm, sustainability, longevity and luxury makes them a premium accommodation option.
What makes yours stand out, when compared to other manufacturers?
At Outdoorsy Living, we cater for the superior outdoor experience. Shepherd huts don’t have to be rustic and can be surprisingly luxurious, fitted with comfortable beds, modern amenities like electricity and ensuite bathrooms, as well as stylish décor, creating a cosy yet chic experience.
Our luxury shepherd huts and glamping pods can be created bespoke to our customers’ specifications with top quality materials and careful craftsmanship. Ideal for glamping site developments and glamorous retreats, our huts can just as easily be transformed into beautiful spare rooms or annexes without the headache of an extension.
What is the most unusual or unique bespoke product you have created?
Due to popular demand, we have even created miniature shepherd huts as dog houses and chicken coops!
How much maintenance do your cabins require?
Do you recommend any followup services?
The cabins require the minimum of maintenance due to their robust construction materials and would only need TLC and five-yearly electrical certificate checks for rental units.
What is the average wait time from ordering, to arriving on-site?
We carry a range of shepherd huts in stock that can be offered for delivery within days or bespoke units to order with a six to eight week lead time, depending on specification.
Can your products be assembled on-site or do they require transportation?
Ideally, our shepherd huts are transported to the site complete as factory constructed units, offering better peace of mind and cost savings over in-situ builds.
What geographical markets do you cover?
Everywhere in the UK.
How long is the lifespan of your products?
Some shepherd huts have been in existence for 50+ years. They suffer less rot that other buildings due to being raised off the ground and we expect our units to provide many years of delight!
What inspired you to start a business for the glamping industry? Can you introduce us to your team?
Blackdown Shepherd Huts Ltd was established in 2011 in Ilminster, Somerset by William Vickery. Our first huts were reminiscent of the traditional builds, then in 2014, we built our first shepherd hut with an en-suite bathroom to fulfil a bespoke customer order from Dimpsey Glamping. This layout went on to become our bestselling Turnkey™ shepherd hut.
Our team of talented makers now stands at over 20 people, each of them contributing to build shepherd huts that delight our customers.
What are the main advantages of using shepherd’s huts for hospitality, in your opinion?
Shepherd huts offer a year-round stay option, with the sheep-wool insulation meaning that the space stays warm in the winter and cooler in the summer. Aesthetically the huts are easy on the eye and sit well in the landscape. Guests love shepherd huts and enjoy the close connection to the outdoor experience that they provide.
What makes yours stand out, when compared to other manufacturers?
We’re always told by customers that the quality of our finish is exemplary, and that
our customer service is excellent. We like to be innovative with our designs and have introduced the curved roof window, the double shepherd hut layout and many other design features to the market over the past few years.
Our latest launch is the Sauna Deck, which is a shepherd hut sauna, built to Finnish sauna standards, with a covered LED lit outdoor deck. We also offer this as a standalone option without the deck.
What is the most unusual or unique bespoke product you have created?
We’ve been asked for all sorts of bespoke products over the years based on customer requests, but probably the most unusual design we’ve done recently has been our saunas – we wanted very much to keep the heritage but create a more contemporary sauna interior. The learning process has been really good fun, and our founder Will was roped in on the photo shoot to demonstrate the ice plunge bath on the deck – you can’t say he’s not a good sport!
How much maintenance do your shepherd’s huts require? Do you recommend any follow-up services?
We give all our owners maintenance guidance when we deliver, but our aim is to ensure that customer maintenance
requirements are kept to a minimum, hence using quality materials in the first place. We’re always happy to help customers with any questions that arise.
What is the average wait time from ordering to arriving on-site?
3-6 months from placing the order, which can vary according to when the order is placed. All our deliveries are done by our own in-house team.
Can your products be assembled on-site or do they require transportation?
As well as our full-build shepherd huts, which are transported to site fully built, we do offer our Tasker self-build shepherd hut which utilises the same parts as our fullbuilds, but can be assembled on your site.
What geographical markets do you cover?
We mainly ship to the UK and Europe but have also shipped to the USA, Kenya and Australia in the past – we like a challenge!
How long is the lifespan of your products? Do you offer any warranties?
We like to create shepherd huts that will stand the test of time. We use quality materials and have an extensive warranty in place to ensure that clients have peace of mind when they buy from us.
Meeting the Challenges of Off-Grid Luxury
Nestled on the picturesque island of Žut, Croatia, in the Kornati national park, Fešta Glamping Resort stands as a beacon of sustainable luxury in the heart of nature. Among the challenges of operating off-grid, the operation orchestrates a harmonious blend of environmental stewardship, culinary excellence, and unparalleled guest experiences.
International Glamping Business caught up with Sanja Henjak who is on the executive team at Fešta Glamping Resort, which has grown from the success of the Fešta restaurant that has been in the Mudronja family for decades, beloved by luxury yacht owners and charter guests, including an array of celebrities.
Our foremost challenge lies in the geographical isolation of Fešta, situated on the island of Žut within the Kornati archipelago, devoid of basic utilities such as electricity and water. Water, essential for sustaining life, presents a particularly pressing concern. In the absence of established ferry or boat lines and modern infrastructure, we must devise means to procure and manage the requisite water supply to meet the demands of our business and its growth.
For generations, we have relied on rainwater collection, a practice steeped in tradition since the arrival of our ancestors on this island 500 years ago. In more recent times, we’ve embraced technological advancements by installing a desalinator, pioneering the first privately-owned unit on the Adriatic (we now also have a second one). However, while these water production methods have been transformative, they are not without challenges.
The complexity of the equipment, with its intricate circuits, poses a significant hurdle. Unfortunately, irregularities in estimates and breakdowns are not uncommon. Compounding the issue is the distant location of technical support on the mainland, exacerbating the difficulties in swiftly resolving any technical issues that may arise.
To ensure seamless operations and minimise downtime between breakdowns and repairs, we are compelled to not only invest in expensive equipment but also duplicate all essential machinery, including our water production systems. This duplication strategy acts as a crucial buffer, allowing us to buy the necessary time until technical support can arrive and address any issues effectively.
Given the critical shortage of staff and employees both locally and globally, we have taken proactive measures to train ourselves, our family members, and part of our staff in-house for handling minor equipment malfunctions and repairs. This ensures that we have a solution readily available until professional technical support can be secured. However, we recognise the reluctance of technical experts to venture to remote locations like ours due to their existing workload. Therefore, selfsufficiency in maintenance and repair tasks remains essential for our operational continuity.
There are authorised concessionaires that collect garbage on the island of Žut, as well as an organised garbage collection in the Kornati National Park, and we cooperate with them on a daily basis. We adhere to legal regulations and municipal ordinances. Also, like numerous other situations and objects on the island where our glamping resort is located, they are complicated.
Considering the geographical challenges, we strictly follow the guidelines set by a reputable organisation to address any situation that may arise.
Waste management is meticulously handled with recycling containers and designated landfill bins on our premises, in full compliance with professional standards and regulatory requirements.
In terms of sanitation, we maintain a consistent standard throughout the pre-season, peak season, and post-season periods. Our commitment to excellence ensures that guests experience top-tier hygiene and comfort, setting us apart as one of the few establishments that prioritise market and tourism needs with such complexity, depth, and quality.
Our approach to food procurement is meticulous and selective, tailored to the unique challenges of our environment. Each food item is sourced from its own supplier, ensuring a diverse and high-quality culinary experience for our guests. We take pride in offering a distinctive gastronomic journey, characterised by handmade delicacies crafted inhouse from conception to completion.
Our commitment to authenticity means there are no shortcuts or pre-packaged solutions – every dish reflects our dedication to culinary excellence. This unwavering dedication to quality has earned us recognition from both our audience and our discerning guests who appreciate the distinctiveness of our offerings.
Procuring supplies is undeniably intricate, often requiring visits to multiple locations to obtain the necessary items. This complexity is further compounded on the mainland, where transportation by road presents its own set of challenges. However, the logistics become even more daunting on a small island, where every necessity must be sourced via small speedboats and boats – all while factoring in the unpredictable sea conditions and weather forecasts.
Despite these obstacles, we proudly prioritise sourcing locally whenever possible. In fact, a remarkable 90% of the ingredients in our kitchen are sourced from local producers. From fresh fish caught by nearby fishermen to vegetables grown in our own garden on the mainland, we are dedicated to supporting our local community and offering our guests the freshest, most authentic culinary experience possible. Additionally, our longstanding tradition of olive processing has yielded award-winning olive oil, recognised with a prestigious Gold medal at a New York competition, along with a variety of other exceptional products.
Regrettably, within the local community, there exists a lack of structured cooperation among us, small entrepreneurs, and the broader regional or state community. Responsibilities often fall upon individuals, requiring us to navigate and overcome obstacles independently in our pursuit of market recognition and success.
Furthermore, the absence of systemic initiatives for promotional or marketing endeavours further compounds these challenges. Instead, the burden of outreach falls upon individuals. In the context of our glamping venture, we recognise the need for increased investment in market communication. It is disheartening that such a distinctive and charming resort has yet to achieve wider recognition.
Acknowledging these shortcomings, we are committed to redoubling our efforts to enhance communication with the market. As we look to the future, we remain determined to elevate our visibility and establish our place in the industry
glamping-kornati.com
Mark your calendars for September 18th 2024, as the team behind International Glamping Business presents an exclusive one-day summit set to revolutionise and redefine your approach to outdoor hospitality. Prepare to be inspired, network with industry leaders, and gain invaluable insights at the Redefining Outdoor Hospitality Summit, hosted at the Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth.
With a lineup of esteemed speakers including Derry Green (Secret Garden Glamping/ Dragon’s Den), Kerry Roy (Camp Katur/A New Life in the Sun), and Ged Brown (Low Season Traveller) and many more, attendees can expect unparalleled expertise from those who have truly mastered the business of outdoor hospitality.
The summit boasts a curated conference schedule, delving into a wealth of topics essential for success in the industry –
including trends, challenges, opportunities and how to balance environmental conservation and business growth. From design inspiration to leveraging AI, each session is crafted to provide actionable insights that can be implemented immediately.
The Redefining Outdoor Hospitality summit is more than just a conference – it’s a platform for forging connections and fostering collaboration. Following the conference, attendees will gather for a networking dinner with fellow operators to share ideas and cultivate relationships that could shape the future of their businesses.
With only 100 spaces available, this is an exclusive opportunity not to be missed –and with the event conveniently scheduled the day before The Glamping Show UK opens, attendees can make the most of their weekend by combining both events for a comprehensive learning experience.
Prepare to be inspired, network with industry leaders, and gain invaluable insights
Tickets for the conference-only or dinner-only will also be available, allowing flexibility to suit individual preferences and schedules.
Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this transformative event in outdoor hospitality. More details will be released as we get closer to the summit – please note the conference agenda may be subject to change at the organiser’s discretion. For more information about the event or to register your interest as a speaker, contact steph@upgradepublishing. com or visit glampingbusiness.com/theredefining-outdoor-hospitality-summit. For sponsorship or ticket information, contact paula@upgradepublishing.com
From thought-provoking keynotes to intimate networking opportunities, Eco Resort Network 2024 promises to inspire, educate, and empower.
Eco Resort Network is an exclusive gathering poised to redefine the landscape of sustainable hospitality, organised by International Glamping Business’ publisher, Steph Curtis-Raleigh. With the third annual event taking place in Mauritius across 18-22 May, anticipation is palpable as industry leaders prepare for a truly transformative experience.
This isn’t your typical industry gathering; it’s a close-knit community of like-minded individuals committed to reshaping the future of eco-friendly travel and accommodation. With a focus on fostering meaningful connections and relationships, and sharing innovative strategies, this event promises to be a catalyst for change.
But it’s not just the stunning setting that sets the Eco Resort Network apart – its first year taking place in Slovenia, and its second year taking place in Montenegro. It’s the calibre of speakers that distinguishes this gathering from the rest. Renowned pioneers from across the globe are set to take the stage, offering insights gleaned from years of experience.
Among the esteemed speakers for this year’s event is Aradhana Khowala, Founder of APTAMIND Partners, whose visionary approach to eco-tourism has garnered international acclaim. Joining her is Channing Henry, Managing Director at PKF Hospitality, whose expertise in sustainable resort management is unparalleled, and Robyn Woodhead, Co-Founder of White Desert Antarctica, whose innovative eco-luxury
experiences at the southernmost part of the world have captivated travellers worldwide.
From thought-provoking keynotes to intimate networking opportunities, Eco Resort Network 2024 promises to inspire, educate, and empower.
In a world where sustainability is no longer a choice but a necessity, the Eco Resort Network stands as a beacon of hope – a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in shaping a brighter future for our planet and its people.
Stay tuned for 2025, when Eco Resort Network will be back – this time, on the Greek islands.
www.ecoresort.network
