This article provides some basic pointers for Landowners who have sites in pristine natural locations, who may want to examine the Glamping opportunity and plan the development of a Luxury Retreat aimed at affluent travellers, with a target rate of around $500 to $750 per night.

Assuming that there are no issues regarding planning permission or the securing of any necessary development entitlements, the first step is to put together a detailed site analysis which covers investigation of, and response to, a broad range of factors, including climate, geology, gradients, terrain, topography, vegetation, drainage, accessibility, likely engineering requirements, and above all, how best to integrate the project with the immediate natural environment.

Environmental considerations including the site’s ability to be “off-grid” here meaning “not connected to or served by publicly or privately managed utilities such as electricity, gas, or water and wastewater disposal” are also hugely important.

Additionally, with one eye on ESG considerations^[1], the ability to use materials which have been sourced as locally as possible and which may be capable of being repurposed in the future, help mitigate the environmental impact of the development. Avoiding the use plastics of any kind is also a big plus.

Regard must be had to the preservation of all flora and fauna and minimizing the environmental impact of the installation of the Glamping accommodations which will comprise for example, high quality, tented structures or cabins whose durability is matched to the environment in which they are to be located.

They may have to withstand strong heat, powerful winds, and heavy rain during their lifetime.

Understanding site Gradients and Contours

Factors such as the site’s orientation, views, prevailing winds and natural ventilation, and its anticipated daily sunshine hours, need to be understood. The ability to integrate the development in a manner which respects the natural elements of the site is essential.

Prevailing winds and Sun Path

Assuming that the Glamping Retreat concept is fully developed, the project definition should be completed so that financial feasibility can be analysed, and any necessary adjustments made to the Business Model, ahead of arranging the project financing.

Of particular importance here are what might be termed the project’s “Green Credentials.” ESG^[2] aspects should be examined and addressed as this can improve a project’s ability to source green financing

This is also important if some form of Eco-Certification^[3] is going to be sought for the project. Simply put, green finance^[4] is a loan or investment that promotes environmentally positive activities, such as the construction of “green” projects or infrastructure^[5].

Research should be undertaken to learn about the site’s history, the surrounding area, its landscape, flora and fauna, its sounds, smells, and any other sensory elements plus any specific local cultural nuances, to be able to develop a unique sense of place. This research can assist with the development of experience programming and the Retreat's story.

For a luxury retreat adopting the proposed nightly rates previously mentioned, guest privacy is critical to the overall experience. A development which is too dense can fail in this regard. By way of example, the site shown above has some central buildings which provide front and back-of-house plus onsite amenities and facilities, but the proposed four Glamping Units are well distributed and privacy is further enhanced by the mature tree screening dotted around the site.

The photograph below show a luxury development with each accommodation unit having abundant space and privacy

Source: Nomadic Escapes, Mauritius

as compared to the much denser development layout shown above.

In terms of the proposed Retreat’s size, this will depend upon the site area, recognizing the need to provide guest privacy and a sense of immersion in Nature. Retreats are easily scalable once demand is well-established but retaining a sense of exclusivity is essential, in addition to the provision of unique nature-related experiences.

ACCOMMODATION TYPES

It has already been recognized that “Glamping” can embrace a range of accommodation types and price points, ranging from the basic to the extremely luxurious. Location, landscape, outlook, master-planning, infrastructure, onsite amenities, guest experiences, exterior and interior design and onsite service delivery are all factors which will impact the guest experience.

The exteriors of the accommodation units should be carefully designed to blend with the natural environment. Wooden structures such as Shepherds’ Huts, Treehouses and Cabins are popular in some markets. Geodesic domes^[6] are self-supporting structures made up of interlocking hexagons or triangles which connect to form a highly stable half-sphere or “geodomes” They are popular in locations where the night sky provides a natural spectacle. They can be built using PVC pipes, galvanized steel or aluminium struts which are covered with various materials such as glass, plywood, cedar shingles, fiberglass, plexiglass, acrylic, metal, or plastic sheets, again depending on the building's size and purpose.

Yurts are also popular in many markets. Originally a round portable structure with a collapsible wood frame and fabric coverings, today’s designs still use wooden lattice walls and straight rafters but may now include a central ring and acrylic dome skylight. They use high-tech fabrics such as Protech vinyl laminate or 15-ounce marine boat shrunk cotton canvas in place of the original felted wool and even NASA-developed radiant insulation; they may include modern doors and windows, lighting, and interior walls, full bathrooms, kitchenettes, and luxury furnishings, as well as the use of modern reflective insulation materials which enable all-season usage. Because they are not designed for portability, they are usually sited on a wooden platform or similar type of base.

Whilst tents made of polyester, nylon or Cuban fibre are perfect for use by backpackers, Glamping tents are much heavier and usually made of high-quality canvas. Canvas provides better insulation than synthetic materials. It can keep you warm on a cold and windy day but cool on an extremely sweltering day. As the technology has evolved, new materials have been developed which are UV repellent, fire retardant, waterproof, tensile, and anti-microbial. These materials can be manufactured in a range of colours, with some using a Teflon coating polyester finish.

Source: Eco Structures, W.A.,

Manufacturers offer flexible roof membranes, designs which are tested to withstand tropical cyclones, with long lifespans and requiring minimal maintenance. Tents and tented cabins can be anchored in any type of terrain, using galvanized steel frames and anchors. Standard features include RT12 canvas walls and ceilings, wood plastic composite internal and external flooring, shade net roof fly, floor joist and bearers. They can be customized with bath-pod en suites, sliding glass front doors, luxury vinyl flooring and extended decking.

They can also include air-conditioning, hot-tubs, kitchenettes, and a host of other facilities. These types of Units are modular in design, which facilitates ease of delivery to the site location, as well as speed in erecting and commissioning the units, usually measured in days.

To achieve the desired aesthetics which can deliver an utterly unique and unforgettable guest experience, the design, master-planning and operational aspects should be entrusted to professionals with the necessary skill sets and experience rather than simply being left to chance. The spatial considerations to deliver guest privacy are critical to a project’s success, as are the design of the interiors and their fit-out.

Retreats should not be over-amenitised. The site itself should be able to provide the unique environment and authentic experiences which guests are seeking, so that with professional management, well-trained staff and excellence in service delivery, guests will feel refreshed and invigorated.

Operating capabilities should be based upon the use of a well-designed tech-stack which includes at its core a PMS, which is the central repository of reservations and has the functionality to facilitate other tools and processes around it. Revenue management capabilities are a “must.”

Other revenue and financial tools include a CRM system, accounting software, a booking engine and payment processing tools, along with data management, a guest experience platform and possibly some staff collaboration technology which can manage tasks among staff such as housekeeping workflows and monitor general maintenance and upkeep and preservation of the property.

For Landowners who have pristine sites which are capable of being developed as a luxury Glamping Retreat and who also have access to funds to make their projects a reality, then engaging with experts who can offer a “one-stop” approach to master-planning, design, development budgeting and procurement, plus installation, staff recruitment and training, together with ongoing management and operational expertise, is clearly the best way forward.

This will help create a unique, distinctive, low environmental impact development with its own natural attributes and competitive differentiators, capable of delivering the desired financial returns. Strong sustainability credentials and the ability to interact and benefit local communities should also be key development objectives.

Notes/Refs:

[1] https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/environmental-social-and-governance-esg-criteria.asp#
[2] https://gowlingwlg.com/en/insights-resources/articles/2023/why-do-your-esg-credentials-matter-to-investors/#
[3] https://theecohub.com/ecocert-certification
[4] https://www.infrastructureasia.org/Insights/Green-Finance-in-Emerging-Asia
[5] https://www.unep.org/regions/asia-and-pacific/regional-initiatives/supporting-resource-efficiency/green-financing#
[6] https://exhibits.stanford.edu/bucky/feature/what-is-a-geodesic-dome

Paul Dean
Principal at Dean & Associates

Ahead of the Glamping Workshop at PHIST 2023 in PHUKET, this article provides a timely refresher for Landowners who have interest in developing a Glamping Retreat. It is not intended to be exhaustive but rather, an aide memoire to help identify some of the key considerations when contemplating this type of project. I am looking forward to moderating a Glamping Workshop at PHIST on 4th September next.

For more information, on registering to attend, which is FREE, please go here