Glamping business income potential:
$50 to $3,000 per night $5,400 per month
In the glamping industry, your target customers can be business travelers, content creators, digital nomads, families, couples, and others. These guests are looking for alternative options to traditional camping, and so glamping makes perfect sense.
If you’re creative, enjoy being outdoors, and love dealing with people, starting a glamping business can be perfect for you. Just be ready to work long hours and invest a significant amount of money. Since glamping is a rising global trend, you can expect to face tough competition in most markets.
It’s pretty much the exact opposite of running a lead generation business where you can work anytime, anywhere and only spend a minimal startup cost. Income potential is also great, especially if you provide services to multiple clients. Personally, I make $52,000 a month from this business model.
How much money can you earn from a glamping business?
You can earn from $50 to $3,000 per night from a glamping business. These rates apply for glamping owners in the United States, according to Glamping.com. Meanwhile, iGMS reports that a glamping business can make “about $4,000 gross income in the first year.” On average, glamping sites charge $125 per night and earn up to $5,400 monthly.
5 factors that will determine your glamping business income
Earnings from your glamping business will depend on various factors, such as:
1. Location
Location can play a big role in your potential income. A desirable location with a high volume of tourists directly means more opportunities for glamping businesses. For example, you can expect higher earnings if your glamping facility is near a popular tourist attraction than an isolated area. Beaches, hiking spots, ski resorts, and state parks are some places that automatically attract crowds at various times of the year. On the other hand, rural locations that offer relaxing and scenic, Instagram-worthy views are also a favorite among avid glampers.
Of course, accessibility is another important ingredient. Guests want to book strategically located glamping sites that are easily reached by car and have adequate parking space. Also, do you own the land or do you rent from a property owner? These factors can likewise affect your overall income.
2. Glamping tent types
Popular glamping accommodation and tent types include:
- bell tents
- cabins
- dome tents
- pods
- safari tents
- shepherd huts
- tiny homes
- treehouses
- yurts
In some areas, bell tent charges can range from $130 to $190 per night during low season or up to $175 to $300 during peak season. Safari tent rates can cost from $160 to $195 per night during low season and up to $260 to $330 during peak season. Meanwhile, domes may cost $300 to $450 per night during low season and $450 to $600 during high season.
To find out how much you should price your unit, take time to research similar glamping listings in your area. You want to avoid undercharging or overcharging your clients.
3. Amenities and facilities
As a glamping business owner, you want your guests to feel as comfortable as possible during their stay. So aside from a good location and a luxury tent, you also want to make sure that you have the best accommodation.
Some of the basic amenities and facilities include bathrooms, beds, kitchenettes, showers, water, electricity, and internet access. In addition, glampers also love bathtubs, bars, televisions, and swimming pools.
In a YouTube video, short term rental educator and vlogger Kai Andrew talked about glamping as “the business of turning a $2,000 tent into a $60K salary.” According to him, two similar structure types with different design choices can yield different results. So it’s crucial to provide customers with the best glamping experience possible.
“The design, experience, and emotions your listing creates for the guest is everything,” explains Kai. “That's the secret to short term rentals. It's not just about providing a space for someone to sleep at night; it's a place that they want to come to and actually spend time at.”
Kai’s video has since gained over 26,000 views.
4. The number of bookings you get per month
Running a glamping business means your revenue typically changes from month to month. The number of monthly bookings (plus the number of units you offer on site) will tell how much you can earn.
According to Glampitect.com, a good formula to calculate your potential annual earnings would be:
- Number of units X average rate per night X available booking days per year X occupancy rate = revenue
So if you have 10 units, charge a nightly rate of $200, are open all year round, and have 60% of occupancy rate per year, then you can earn an annual revenue of up to $438,000.
5. Operating costs
Operating costs will likewise affect how much you will charge and earn as a business owner. Typical costs include cleaning, laundry, marketing, maintenance, repairs, insurance, and taxes, plus water and electricity bills.
When starting out in the industry, overhead expenses are often minimal since you’re only maintaining one or a few tents. This will grow in the months and years ahead as you expand your business. Adding more tents and/or opening new locations can boost your future earnings.
How to grow your glamping income?
You can grow your glamping income by:
How much does it cost to start a glamping business?
Starting a glamping business can cost from $10,000 to $27,000 or even higher. Among the usual upfront expenses are amenities, decors, furnishings, and utilities. Of course, you’ll also have to buy luxury tents, which can cost anywhere between $1,600 up to $10,000 each. A bell tent, for example, can cost $2,000 to $5,000, while a shed or tiny home can be worth $4,000 to $,6000 each.
Other than that, you’ll also have to spend on business licenses, permits, and insurance fees, so check on local requirements to find out. For non-property owners, glamping startup cost will also include rental fee for using the land. Dedicating a certain budget for marketing is also important, especially if you’re new in the glamping industry. You can, for instance, spend on social media advertising to capture attention from your target demographic.
Is glamping worth the investment?
Glamping is worth the investment because it’s a growing global trend. It’s definitely taking the tourism and outdoor industry to a new level as more and more travelers are supporting it as their choice of accommodation.
Property owners with unused land can consider setting up glamping sites to cater to guests. Meanwhile, non-property owners may contact and negotiate with landowners to explore possibilities of renting space for glamping.
That said, investing in and developing your own glamping product brand can be financially rewarding. Just make sure to conduct a feasibility research and to come up with the best marketing strategies to boost your chances of a quicker return on investment.
How big is the global glamping market?
The global glamping market currently has a value of $2.89 billion with a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 13.6%. According to Globe Newswire, experts foresee that the market will reach up to $4.62 billion in 2027 with 12.5% CAGR. PR News Wire also adds that market size may grow up to $7.11 billion by 2031.
In an interview with Glamping Business, Scaldersitch Farm co-founder Catherine Hine shares glamping “is being embraced by increasing numbers of people,” especially after the pandemic increased the interest on “local, more nature-based travel.” As more travelers discover and support alternative short term rental accommodation options, glamping businesses can expect to experience significant market growth in the years ahead.
How do I advertise glamping?
You can advertise your glamping business by:
Using social media strategically
A big percentage of your potential customers are on social media, looking for the best travel sports and the best travel deals. So having your online presence on the right social media channels is a must.
Post attention-grabbing photos and videos often. Be descriptive in your captions and maintain a friendly, inviting tone. Respond to both comments and messages. Share reviews written by your guests. Join groups and communities to promote your business. Also, consider investing in social media advertising to reach your target market faster.
Listing with reputable glamping marketplaces and vacation rental websites
Of course, it’s also a good idea to list your business with the top glamping platforms such as Airbnb, Booking.com, FlipKey, Glamping.com, GlampingHub, HipCamp, and Vrbo. Luxury travelers looking for glamping options often browse through these sources, so it’s an excellent idea to add your business information.
Collaborating with influencers
Influencer marketing can be an effective way to help your business establish credibility and boost brand awareness. Working with influencers in your niche can be an easy and cost-effective way to expose your services to thousands of their followers on social media.
Maintaining your own website
Having a website for your glamping business has its advantages. For instance, you can build a professional reputation, take control of your brand, and stand out among your competitors. You can also increase your earnings since you can accept online bookings directly. No need to worry about required service fees from, say, Airbnb.
Of course, learning the role of lead generation in digital marketing can bring quality leads and high conversion rate.
Who are some examples of successful glamping business owners?
Some examples of successful glamping business owners are:
Manolo Ramos
Manolo Ramos is a glamping pioneer in Puerto Rico. In fact, he founded Pitahaya Glamping Eco-Retreat, the first glampsite of the country. According to their website, Pitahaya has been certified by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company as a Sustainable Tourism Destination. It is also a Private Nature Reserve and Bird Sanctuary.
Kerry Roy
Kerry Roy is an international glamping entrepreneur who founded Camp Katur in North Yorkshire, United Kingdom in 2013. The business has since grown from having 6 to 17 different accommodation types. Fast forward to 2019, she started another glamping business - the Cerchio Del Desiderio (Circle of Desire) Glamping Retreat in Abruzzo, Italy. Roy uses both her property and partners with landowners for her glamping businesses.
Derek & Ciara Tiernan
Husband and wife tandem Derek and Ciara Tiernan launched Willowtree Glamping in 2018. What sets them apart from competitors is that they only cater to adults. “We believe parents need a break that’s guaranteed uninterrupted,” reads their business website. Located in Mourne Mountains, Northern Ireland, Willowtree offers 6 accommodations equipped with private hot tubs, super king beds, and more.
Catherine & Ian Hine
Catherine & Ian Hine’s Scaldersitch Farm offers guests with “luxury glamping yurts and tipis” in Hartington, Derbyshire in England. Scaldersitch Farm has since been awarded as Best for Luxury 2022 by The Independent and Camping, Glamping, and Holiday Park of the Year 2022.
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Conclusion
Starting a glamping business can be challenging, but can also be ultimately rewarding. Creating a business plan and then seeing it turn into reality can be a fulfilling experience for new glamping entrepreneurs.
As mentioned earlier, lead generation can be a skill worth learning. With the right tactics, you can boost your search engine presence and attract local searches. The increased traffic can lead to more customers and, thus, more revenue for your business.
