Welcome to our blog where we share insights and strategies to help you optimize your campground, boost occupancy, and attract repeat guests. Today, we?re excited to discuss a topic close to our hearts: glamping and outdoor hospitality. Our discussion will cover key trends, marketing strategies, and innovative ideas to elevate your campground experience.

Table of contents

Embracing Glamping

Glamping, or glamorous camping, is a growing trend in outdoor hospitality. As our head of customer success, Kelsey, and I discussed, glamping offers a unique and luxurious camping experience that appeals to a wide demographic, particularly Millennials and Gen Z. These younger generations are driving the market with a significant interest in unique, eco-friendly, and luxury camping experiences.

Industry Growth and Demographics

The glamping industry is projected to be worth $5.94 billion by 2030, with a growth rate of 88.7% between 2024 and 2030. This trend is driven by Millennials and Gen Z, who make up 43% of the market. These groups are willing to spend more on luxury amenities and are looking for unique experiences that go beyond traditional camping.

Key Points:

  • Glamping industry projected to be worth $5.94 billion by 2030.
  • Growth rate of 88.7% between 2024 and 2030.
  • Millennials and Gen Z dominate the market with 43%.

Glamping Accommodations

Glamping can take many forms, including tents, yurts, treehouses, vintage trailers, and even shipping containers. The key is to create an accommodation that is itself an attraction. Whether you have undeveloped land or existing RV sites, consider transforming these spaces into glamping spots. You can start small with simple setups and expand as you see the demand grow.

Accommodation Ideas:

  • Tents and yurts
  • Treehouses and vintage trailers
  • Shipping containers and domes

Eco-Friendly Initiatives and Ecotourism

Ecotourism emphasizes sustainability and conservation, appealing to environmentally conscious travelers. Industry research shows that 70% of travelers are more likely to choose eco-friendly accommodations, and 87% of Millennials and Gen Z prioritize ecotourism.

Sustainable Practices

Implementing sustainable practices such as solar panels, water conservation, and composting can enhance your campground?s appeal. Highlight these efforts in your marketing to attract eco-conscious guests. Simple initiatives like nature walks, wildlife observations, and eco-education workshops can also draw in guests looking for meaningful, nature-connected experiences.

Sustainable Practices:

  • Solar panels and water conservation
  • Composting and recycling
  • Nature walks and eco-education workshops

Enhancing Outdoor Experiences

Offering unique outdoor experiences can set your campground apart and attract more guests. Hiking is a popular activity, and even if your campground doesn?t have its own trails, you can partner with local parks and provide guests with maps and information about nearby hiking opportunities. Boating across the US, specifically the Midwest, in the summertime is also a great activity for guests.

In-House Activities

Creating in-house activities like meditation labyrinths, stargazing spots, and nature trails can enhance the guest experience. Engage with your local community to offer activities like yoga classes, farm tours, or culinary experiences. These partnerships not only enhance the guest experience but also build a sense of community.

In-House Activity Ideas:

  • Meditation labyrinths and stargazing spots
  • Nature trails and wildlife observations
  • Yoga classes and farm tours

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Leveraging Technology

While the focus is on the outdoors, integrating technology into your campground management can streamline operations and improve guest satisfaction. Automated booking systems, reliable Wi-Fi, and online booking for activities can free up your time to interact with guests and manage your campground more effectively.

Technology Integration:

  • Automated booking systems
  • Reliable Wi-Fi
  • Online activity booking

Social Media and Marketing

Social media is a powerful tool for promoting your campground. Use platforms like Instagram to showcase the unique aspects of your glamping accommodations and outdoor experiences. Create a Facebook group for your campground to build a community of past, current, and future guests. Engage with local businesses and partner with them to offer unique experiences to your guests.

Social Media Tips:

  • Use Instagram for visual storytelling
  • Create a Facebook group for community engagement
  • Partner with local businesses for unique experiences

Community Engagement and Partnerships

Building strong relationships with local businesses can enhance your campground?s offerings. Partner with local farms for farm-to-table experiences, collaborate with restaurants for culinary events, or work with artisans for craft workshops. These partnerships create unique experiences for your guests and strengthen your community ties.

Partnership Ideas:

  • Farm-to-table experiences
  • Culinary events with local restaurants
  • Craft workshops with local artisans

Guest Feedback and Staff Training

Soliciting guest feedback and responding to reviews can provide valuable insights into areas for improvement. Train your staff to align with your campground?s core values and ensure they are equipped to provide excellent customer service. Use technology to handle tedious tasks, allowing your staff to focus on creating a memorable guest experience.

Staff Training Tips:

  • Align staff with campground core values
  • Use technology for reservation management
  • Provide excellent customer service training

Attracting Long-Term Guests

To attract long-term guests, consider reaching out to local businesses that may have employees needing temporary accommodations, such as hospitals with traveling nurses or companies with long-term projects in the area. Offering discounted rates for off-peak seasons and creating unique seasonal experiences can also help maintain occupancy year-round.

Long-Term Guest Strategies:

  • Partner with local businesses for employee accommodations
  • Offer discounted rates for off-peak seasons
  • Create unique seasonal experiences

Conclusion

Optimizing your campground involves embracing new trends like glamping, implementing sustainable practices, enhancing outdoor experiences, leveraging technology, and building community partnerships. By focusing on these areas, you can boost occupancy, attract repeat guests, and create a unique and memorable camping experience.

If you?re interested in learning more about how to optimize your campground or want to explore our campground management solutions, please reach out for a demo. We?re here to help you succeed and look forward to seeing your campground thrive.