Does Your Glampsite Stand Out from the Crowd?
Operating in the glamping industry has become more of a challenge in the past couple of years. Of course, the increase in demand for staycations, and for glamping especially, is welcomed with open arms. The issue is that because the supply has also increased so much it is becoming more difficult to set your site apart from your competitors.
With many new glamping businesses opting for pre-fabricated glamping pods or bell tents that aren’t particularly different or unique, customers are having to make their location decision based on factors other than the quality or type of accommodation. Price, of course, is one thing which can sway a decision, but rather than cut into your margins there are other ways of making your glampsite stand out from the crowd.
While the personal and handmade touches you can bring to your accommodation can make all the difference to the experience of glamping, they aren’t enough to influence someone’s decision on where to stay. Sure, homemade soaps and hand-carved cereal spoons are unique and memorable, but offering your guests the chance to make their own soap to take home, or carve their own spoon for future breakfasts will be the extra touch that ensures guests pick your site to start with.
Being able to offer these sorts of experiences gives you an edge over your competitors – it’s a bit like a build-your-own package holiday where your guests can book activities and learning experiences for their stay without having to do the legwork themselves.
We know that not every glampsite owner will have the skills, or even the space on-site to offer these sorts of courses, but you’ll find crafters, whittlers and foragers all operating their own businesses in your local area. These vital cogs in the local economy may be people you already know or buy from, and you can grow this existing relationship into something mutually beneficial for all parties.
Wild food finding courses, bushcraft days, woodwork sessions and other rural craft courses are a lovely thing to do on a holiday and because they’re based in the natural environment they make an ideal partner activity for a glamping trip. While you’re looking at different things you could offer your guests be sure to check out local boat and bike rental companies, or places that offer river or harbour cruises. There may even be outdoors activity centres and other active pursuits on offer nearby so be sure to research your options thoroughly.
Glamping is often a family holiday, so by offering active options alongside more sedate crafting experiences you can appeal to a wide range of people and keep the peace among your family groups with everyone catered for. Having a diverse range of activities also appeals to groups who may want to stick together for some days and split into smaller groups for other activities.
Whether you simply provide the information and make the bookings for your guests, or negotiate a discounted price for the activity when booked through your site depends on the businesses you partner with. If they’re looking for more customers and can offer 10% off group bookings to keep their schedules full then this discount can be passed on, making your glampsite much more attractive than the one 5 miles down the road.
Making these partnerships in the local tourist economy is beneficial for everyone – your partners get more customers and in turn, they’ll recommend you for accommodation to people who enquire or book with them through their own marketing activities. You might even learn to whittle your own spoons into the bargain.
