At this year’s Glamping Show Americas, students from Cal Poly Pomona’s Collins College of Hospitality Management highlighted how higher education is preparing the next generation of leaders for the outdoor hospitality sector.
As part of a 12-week cross-college collaboration, hospitality management students partnered with architecture students to study the feasibility of glamping developments.
Backed by donor support, the project integrates market research, financial analysis, and design concepts to create real-world development prototypes.
Margaret Bailey, a member of the board of advisors at Collins College, explained that the program immerses students in the full spectrum of glamping development.
Students began with industry presentations—including an overview of market trends from Cairn Consulting Group’s Scott Bahr—followed by site visits to a rustic Hipcamp property and a KOA campground in San Diego.
Student Perspectives on Glamping’s Market Potential
For many of the students, the project provided their first in-depth look at glamping. Senior student Tyler Serrano noted that while he considered himself an avid camper, he had little exposure to glamping before joining the program.
“I kind of realized how large it actually is, and I thought it was very interesting,” Serrano said. “Providing a lot of the amenities so people don’t have to bring anything like… That’s what’s nice about a hotel, right? You don’t have to bring anything, and that’s a good thing about glamping.”
He added that operators who balance convenience with experiential offerings—such as on-site restaurants, lakes, or hiking trails—are more likely to retain repeat visitors.
Chelsie Vasquez Salazar, another senior, reflected on how her cultural background shaped her perspective. Coming from a Hispanic family that preferred hotels to camping, she initially had little exposure to outdoor hospitality.
“The majority of minorities aren’t the targeted demographic,” she said, but she sees potential to engage broader audiences through curated, family-friendly experiences.
Implications for Operators
The students’ preliminary research found that many RV resorts begin with cabins or vintage trailers before investing in higher-end glamping units. Serrano suggested that this incremental approach is a practical entry point for operators testing the market.
Salazar’s feasibility work focused on stand-alone glamping properties, where location-based amenities such as beaches, parks, or cultural attractions play a critical role in driving demand.
Industry Engagement Matters
The students emphasized how valuable it was to interact with vendors and operators at the Glamping Show. “It’s been very, very engageful to talk with all these different people,” Serrano said. “Introducing yourself as a student and kind of giving a little bit of that background definitely creates a learning moment for for both sides of the conversation.”
Vendors were not only receptive but encouraged the students to follow up with additional questions—highlighting the industry’s openness to supporting education and workforce development.
Bailey believes these kinds of partnerships deliver ROI for both academia and industry.
“What is in these young adults’ [brains] is fundamentally different, and to me, that’s exciting,” she said. “They have a whole new language, and their ability to go and talk to people has been enhanced because they’ve spent the last six weeks gaining knowledge about this industry.”
From incremental entry strategies to addressing cultural barriers, the next generation of hospitality professionals is already identifying opportunities that could shape glamping’s evolution.
Modern Campground is currently on-site and will share further insights for campground, RV park, and glamping resort operators.