It seems that the words “hiking” and “convenience” lie in completely different planes, and they are not allowed to intersect under any circumstances. But it only seems! Many travelers have already chosen for themselves a relatively new type of outing into nature with all the amenities – glamping. What is it, how much does it cost, and where to go for it – let’s figure it out together.
What does this strange word mean?
The word “glamping” was formed as a result of combining the words glamorous and camping. The concept of “glamping” began to be actively used in 2005 in the UK, and in 2016 it was even included in the Oxford Dictionary.
In fact, glamping is outdoor recreation marked “luxury”: instead of tents and sleeping bags – a cozy dwelling with a soft bed, instead of a toilet under a tree and swimming in the river – a bathroom with all amenities, instead of stew – restaurant dishes. Such a vacation is intended for those who are not averse to living in the bosom of the wild, but at the same time do not want to go hiking, and in general, can afford a top-class vacation even far from civilization. A “tent with amenities” can cost a tidy sum, comparable to staying in a luxury hotel room of some popular global chain. Prices for glamping range from €50 to €1000 per day, although everything can be much more expensive.
And who invented glamping?
Although the concept of “glamping” has been actively used recently, it is believed that the roots of the phenomenon go far back in history – as far as the Middle Ages. The forerunners of glamorous camping can be called visiting settlements of any medieval king. In those days, not just tent camps were built for the rulers, but huge tents, luxuriously decorated and equipped with everything necessary – royal chambers in miniature.
But back to our time. Rumor has it that the real glamping boom began in the UK after Brexit. The British increasingly began to choose a comfortable stay in their native natural expanses for trips abroad. In general, in recent years, the number of glamping areas has increased significantly in Europe. Increasingly, wealthy travelers are getting out into nature with all the amenities without sparing money on such trips.
Why is this type of holiday becoming more and more popular?
Because people in the world have more and more work, fuss and money, but there is no more free time. City life, business, technology – all this alienates people from nature while forming a type of person who is rather unadapted to life without amenities. But even such a person from time to time wants to be alone with nature. Glamping is becoming an ideal type of outdoor recreation for people who absolutely cannot imagine their day without a hot bath and do not intend to make a fire by rubbing two sticks. While we wander through the forest and determine by anthills and moss where to place our battered tent, many travelers are willing to pay a lot of money for the opportunity to stay a couple of days in a luxury tent at the end of the world.
Many travel analysts, by the way, are critical of the new trend and believe that glamping is just another way to extract money from wealthy travelers. Indeed, in fact, lovers of such boutique camping pay for completely ordinary and simple things. Well, that is, a cozy bed and a restaurant dinner in nature are cool, but why is it so expensive? Analysts call this the post-consumerism trap – when you are so tired of the cult of things that you want something very simple and sincere. And in the end, you end up in the same suite for a lot of money, only sort of like in more natural and simple circumstances. In addition, the main task of classic camping is leveled here – a return to natural sources. Well, what kind of merger with nature is this, if the glamper didn’t even make a fire himself and didn’t catch fish?
But while critics snort in the direction of glamping, many travelers consider this the only opportunity for them to step back from the bustle of the city. And businessmen justify themselves: the fee for services can be so high because glamping is still a single and rather exclusive experience. And there will always be those who are willing to generously pay for the experience.
What types of glamping are there?
The most important condition for outdoor recreation to be called glamping, and not ordinary camping, is, as you already understood, convenience. In order for an outdoor home to qualify as glamping, it must have electricity, showers and toilets, 24-hour service, and other products that you will find more in a good hotel than on a hike.
And then the fantasy of the creators of boutique camping is not limited to anything: domes in the mountains, wigwams, Triangles for observing nature, lodges for foresters and lumberjacks, tree houses, bubble rooms in the middle of the forest, and a lot of options to retire with rich in nature.
Well, theoretically everything is clear. So where do you find all these glamping sites?
The biggest resource that brings together a bunch of glamping placements is glamping.com. You can find the perfect luxury tent here on any continent. There are a lot of categories: treehouses, yurts, bungalows, and stuff like that. The prices are quite divine – from €45 per day, for example, for a modest yurt not far from the Spanish Granada. Glamping sites on beaches and in national parks are especially popular on the site.
How promising is Glamping travel industry?
It is very promising: the number of boutique campsites in the world is growing by leaps and bounds, and articles and books are published for businessmen on how to start a business in the field of glamping. If you take a good look at glamping.com, you will notice how many small private accommodations offer their services there. Many aspiring entrepreneurs strive to start a luxury yurt almost next to their dacha. True, there are no Belarusian and Ukrainian points in the database yet, but there is one Russian glamping. In general, a ready-made idea for those who dream of a travel business.
More information: https://www.esc.guide/glamphouse
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