Diversification is a hot topic. Farmers and landowners are increasingly under pressure to diversify in order to generate new revenue streams. Today’s travellers want to reclaim the landscapes that are all around them and reconnect with essential experiences of nature, land and belonging.
It’s a perfect match and a fantastic opportunity to generate sustainable revenue while staying true to your roots. So what are your next steps?
How do you assess the scope of the opportunity?
Revenue from tourism is within your reach, but few of us have the luxury of being able to start an experiment with no need to worry about the bottom line. You are making plans for your livelihood and, like any business, running a Glampsite needs to be financially sustainable.
As Glamping has grown in popularity, the requirements for a successful Glampsite have become more complex. What worked 5 years ago won’t necessarily work in today’s market. The details: site lay out; materials used; interior decor; sustainability policies; are ever more important to ensure your site will be spotted in an internet search and be somewhere your guests can’t wait to recommend to others.
Assess your land
You need to explore all the rewards and all the risks of your plan. For example: not all plots of land are equal and some have a better scope to generate revenue from tourism than others. Have you considered the effect of the local travel and transport links on a potential glampsite or on expansion of your existing site, for example? Hint: trying to create a rural idyll close to an airport or a major transport hub may not work, yet being difficult to access could also affect the marketability of your site.
Calculate your revenue per acre
To make sound decisions about how to use your assets and resources you need to fully understand the costs involved (both for set up and to run the business) so you can weigh up your options before you commit both cash and time.
You’ll also need a realistic business model to calculate the potential income for your site, so you understand how much cash you’ll have coming in and when. It needs to be based on solid experience of running different kinds of glampsites to be useful. Are you in a position to accurately forecast the potential returns of your site based on sound legal, environmental, management and financial experience?
Encountering challenges, like more stringent planning regulations in your location, doesn’t mean you have to abandon your plans. Planning will reap dividends here too: it’s going to be much less stressful, not to mention cheaper, to go in with your eyes open and factor in any challenges from the beginning.
Up to date expert advice, accessible to everyone
Crown and Canopy, exhibitors at The Glamping Show since 2017, recognise that not everyone has the knowledge needed to accurately assess the risks and rewards of diversifying into Glamping, but believe that shouldn’t stop anyone from getting into the business and sharing their land with guests who are looking to reconnect with the land and nature.
In aid of this, they’ve just launched an updated version of their 68 page Glamping Business Manual, with 18 pages of new material. As Glamping Industry Specialists, they’ve poured over 15 years of experience in land management and tourism into this handy document. It even includes business modelling for income calculation. You can purchase a copy for just £95 or get lifetime updates for £125, so anyone can be armed with the knowledge they need to make sound decisions for their site.
Get your copy of The Glamping Business Manual here.
Grab yourself a copy of the Manual to get all the background you need and bring your specific questions to the Show in September!
Edward and the Crown and Canopy team will be on Stand 158 and will be offering Meet the Experts appointments at The Glamping Show this September.
