Glamping and eco-resorts: Luxury travel with responsibility   

by | Jan 15, 2025

Travel experiences in recent years have been more than checking a bucket list. Instead, purposeful travel and sustainability have led to a surge of travel experiences defined by meaningful connections with people and the planet. With this, luxury travel is embracing sustainability, with eco-resorts and glamping leading the way.

Glamping—decoding the name

What is glamping? A blend of “glamorous” and “camping,” glamping refers to experiences that have both nature and luxury. It is a type of immersive travel that connects guests to a destination’s culture, history, wildlife, and environment, all while enjoying the comforts of high-end accommodations.

The allure behind glamping

There are unique features of glamping experiences that make it special to travellers.

1. Unique accommodations

Glamping offers a range of outdoor lodging. Unlike the usual camping experiences with tents, glamping adds a layer of sophistication to accommodation options. This means staying in unique accommodation types such as luxury tents, treehouses, and eco-lodges, that merge nature with comfort.

2. Modern amenities

The very premise of glamping is to add glamour to camping experiences. Many glamping sites, therefore, feature amenities that are otherwise rare in adventures in the heart of nature; electricity, Wi-Fi, heating, air-conditioning, and even hot tubs.

3. Scenic locations

Glamping and eco-resorts often focus on the environment and are set in picturesque natural spots like forests, beaches, or mountains. This allows the guests to disconnect from the outside world and give them a chance to connect with nature.

4. Eco-friendly practices

In true eco-tourism fashion, glamping sites often prioritise sustainability. These properties are concerned about the environment and actively take steps to minimise their environmental footprint. As such, they prioritise eco-friendly materials and renewable energy.

Preparing for glamping crowds

To provide the exact type of experience glampers and eco-travellers are looking for, there are several strategies resorts can try.

1. Offering flexibility and freedom

Most modern glamping sites combine digital technology, such as smart solutions, with their property. Modern technology allows employees to offer full freedom and flexibility to the guests so that the latter can truly disconnect while enjoying unique properties that highlight the natural surroundings. Data for personalisation, automated technology, and attribute-based offerings will allow guests to experience convenience and control of their stays.

2. Contactless journeys with minimal interaction

Glamping guests prefer to spend their stays disconnected from the rest of the world and connecting with nature. Contactless and self-servicing solutions can offer them options for social distancing, freedom with a sense of oneness with nature and stress-free holidays. For travellers looking for solitude and the perfect getaway holiday, minimal interaction journeys will be an enticing offer.

3. Environmental consciousness

Green technology, ESG protocols, and SDG compliance play a huge role in minimising the environmental footprints of glamping. Energy-efficient systems such as solar panels, smart heating and cooling systems, water conservation mechanisms, inventory, and waste management are some steps that allow guests to enjoy glamping without harming the environment.

4. Optimised property management

Technology provides a flexible foundation for glamping businesses to grow and evolve. A cloud-based PMS allows glamping operators to centralise bookings, customer data, and property management tasks. Meanwhile integrated booking platforms enable dynamic price settings, analytics tools provide actionable data, and dedicated mobile apps allow businesses to scale efficiently.

5. Streamlined communications

In glamping, where properties may span vast, remote areas, clear and timely communication is essential. Technology is often the solution that bridges the gap of connectivity, and it is no surprise that it will help glampers, too. Think of guest messaging platforms, high-quality Wi-Fi, reliable internet connectivity, on-premises technology, automated notifications with IoT-enabled systems, and voice-controlled assistants.

Book a Demo Today to discover how IDS Next’s innovative solutions can optimise your resort.

Glamping, the modern travel experience in style

Glamping, like most travel trends that are predicted for the coming year, will continue to rise. It is predicted to grow with a CAGR of 8.7% from 2024 to 2030. The perfect blend of adventure and luxury that inspires a deep connection to the natural world will attract many travellers, particularly those looking for luxurious holidays and eco-friendly travel options. The responsibility of the industry remains; to offer the best of the eco-experiences to guests without disrupting the eco-systems itself. It is not just about staying in nature—rather it is about coexisting with it in style!

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Jacob K I | IDS NEXT

Author

Jacob K I

Vice President - Business Development

He is responsible for developing growth strategy focused both on financial gain and customer satisfaction. He is also responsible for conducting research to identify new markets and customer needs.