The Business Of Glamping And Unique Holiday Rentals

What would you do if the dream business you've poured your heart, savings, and future into still hadn't opened four years later? Most people would have walked away. When architect Danny Shafrir left a successful career in London, cycled across North America, and eventually settled in the wild landscapes of Galicia in northern Spain, he thought he was embarking on an exciting new chapter. His visio...

Ready to have your mind blown in the best possible way? In this episode, we're diving into a game-changing innovation that's turning heads in the world of glamping and unique holiday rentals. Imagine a stunning retreat space or glamping pod on your land... fully customisable, ultra-durable, and made entirely from  recycled plastic bottles . Sounds like sci-fi? It's real, it's happening, and it's a...

Close your eyes and imagine 25 acres of lush tropical fruit trees. You hear the rustle of palms and the sound of water trickling into a grotto carved from natural coral limestone. You'd swear you were in the heart of Bali... but you're actually just outside of Miami. Today, we're going behind the scenes of BAYA , a brand-new landscape resort that isn't just opening doors; it's defining an entirely...

What does it take to build a beautiful, thriving glamping brand from scratch, with no hospitality background, limited funds, but a whole lot of creativity? It takes guts to dream big with ambition but no experience, and we can all learn a lot from those who do it. In this episode, we sit down with Eamon Heggarty, the founder of  Coorie Retreats , to unpack the inspiring story behind one of the UK'...

We're tackling a hot topic that's causing a stir across the experiential travel world—from glamping hosts and retreat leaders to boutique accommodation owners: Is traditional SEO… officially dead? If you've ever found yourself wondering how on earth you're meant to keep up with the pace of change in the digital world... you're not alone. And today's episode is one you won't want to miss if you wan...

What if the "quiet season" wasn't your biggest booking struggle, but your  greatest business opportunity ? In this eye-opening episode, Sarah Riley is joined by Ged Brown from Low Season Traveller to explore a powerful shift happening in tourism that few are talking about, but that savvy glamping business owners, retreat leaders, and unique holiday rental hosts  need to hear. Together, they unpack...

What if the key to feeling more grounded, more aligned, and more inspired in both life and business… was to think  ten years ahead? It might sound like a lifetime away, especially when you're juggling guests, chasing algorithms, and trying to stay afloat in a world that never slows down. But in this powerful episode, I'm joined by corporate strategist and creative soul Tricia Duffy, the voice behi...

This is a must-listen for anyone dreaming of launching a stunning geodesic dome retreat on their land. Because here's the truth: what you don't know about buying domes could cost you thousands. I'm joined by the brilliant Ronnie Smith of Glamping Revolution, one of Europe's most trusted manufacturers of luxury glamping structures. Based in sunny Portugal, Ronnie and her team don't just design show...

The glamping and luxury outdoor hospitality industry is entering a bold new chapter. Sustainability is no longer optional. AI is rewriting how guests find you. And travellers? They're no longer satisfied with just a pretty stay… they want connection, meaning, and transformation. In this episode, we dive deep into what it really takes to stay relevant as expectations rise and attention spans shrink...

Powerful energy healing for your land, home, business and life - Today's episode might just open a doorway to something you've always sensed, but never been able to describe. So first I'll ask you… Have you ever walked into a space and immediately felt… something? A sense of calm, clarity, alignment, or maybe the opposite? That reaction is no accident. And in this conversation, we're exploring  wh...

What happens when a love for art, culture and community transforms into a thriving boutique hospitality business in the hills above Rio de Janeiro? In this soulful episode of The Business of Glamping and Unique Holiday Rentals , I sit down with Dacia Young, a passionate Bed and Breakfast owner who left behind the familiar and followed a dream to Brazil's bohemian heart... Santa Teresa. We explore...

In this episode, host Sarah Riley chats with Steph Curtis-Raleigh, a global expert in the experiential travel and glamping industry, to take stock of the sector's latest developments. From luxury eco-resorts thriving worldwide to challenges facing traditional glamping operators, they explore key industry trends, shifts in demand, and innovative business models that are shaping the future. Steph sh...

What's it like to work in a traditional job and build a glamping business on the side? Is it possible? More importantly, is it realistic to think that your side hustle can one day be your forever job, allowing you to power down from the corporate world?  This is what Teresa and Jon from Devonia Escapes have been exploring, which led them to setup their cabin business, Devonia Escapes. Want to know...

The glamping industry is booming, but it's a seasonal business. This means bookings will slow down during off-peak or mid-week periods. So, what can you do to counteract this slowdown? This is when you need a feeder business. But what's that you ask? Well, a feeder business can keep your glamping enterprise thriving by sending customers through your door. This technique involves running high-end C...

Laura runs a glamping site tucked away amongst the trees in the heart of the beautiful countryside, amongst sunny meadows and shade-dappled woods. They have fully kitted-out canvas bell tents and handmade wooden cabins. So what made them want to launch a retreat events business alongside their existing glamping services? Is it profitable and how did they manage to sell out their retreat event spac...

Pitching to any investor is difficult but imagine being surrounded by TV cameras, studio lights and four dragon investors. That's another level! This is exactly what Derry Green of Secret Garden Glamping did when he pitched his idea on the Dragons Den (also known in the USA as Shark Tank). In this episode Derry shares how it came about, his results and how it all works behind the scenes. He also s...

How can you make your guest attraction marketing easier? Are there tools you can use and how does that work? Today I invite you into the brave new world of marketing with AI and using tools available to help you with guest attraction. This episode is perfect for anyone struggling to attract the customers they want and unable to find the time to make a difference to their numbers. To find out more...

How can we build tourism businesses that are kinder and more regenerative to the environment, healthy to the worker, pleasing to the guest, engaging to the community and profitable to the owner? We don't operate in bubbles so we have to work together to create solutions that everyone will win from in the long term, including Mother Earth. In this optimistic sustainability conversation, Sarah Riley...

What inspires a family to start a glamping business while their country is at war, they are faced with a pandemic and have 5 young children? We all deal with challenges in different ways. I know that when I'm struggling, all I need to do is listen to the inspirational stories of others to get motivated again. My mind was blown by what Ulyana and her husband Andrii have achieved in Ukraine, and des...

Lilypod Glamping is a unique floating sanctuary designed with love and handbuilt with passion in Devon UK. It is a unique stay inspired by nature using the natural wonder of timber. It is low carbon, off-grid short stay unique accommodation that uses natural materials to make an eco-tourism offering worth visiting. Nestled on a stunning lake at Alder Farm, hushed by mature deciduous trees on the b...

Today I had the pleasure of speaking with Louis Thompson who is the founder and CEO of multiple businesses including Nomadic Resorts, an award-winning architectural and landscape design office that delivers innovative, experiential hospitality projects across the planet. His company designs bespoke green building projects for various luxury hotel groups including Soneva, Banyan Tree, Playa Viva, N...

Kerry has been a successful glamping business owner for many years. She has single-handedly managed multiple businesses and has had her fair share of ups and downs. She is also known to share generously and talk openly about industry vitals while others keep their cards close to their chests. In this episode, we talk about: Key glamping events in the calendar we are looking forward to most this ye...

Always take the time to hunt out the experts and speak with those who are generous enough to share their expertise in the industry. Especially when they have been working within it for so many years. This is why I was happy to welcome Phil Russell from Tor View Shepherds Huts in Somerset onto the show. In this episode, Phil shares his insights into the industry and the typical glamping guest. He a...

What sustainability practices are most appreciated by guests and what services are being used to attract eco-tourists and those with a preference towards environmentally sensitive businesses? Rachel Bowers has been deciphering guest preferences on glamping offerings, boutique hotels and unique hospitality and how eco-travel does not mean guests need to sacrifice the quality of the service they rec...

If you start a small glamping business with your kids for something to do because your existing transport business has failed due to the pandemic, is it realistic to think you might get booked out for 2 years in advance, gain hundreds of thousands of social media followers and will soon need to expand your site as the awards keep rolling in?  Well, apparently it is! Derry Green is the founder of T...