The outdoor hospitality industry is changing fast. Will you keep up—or fall behind? Join us August 6 at 2:00 PM ET for a powerful discussion hosted by Brian Searl, covering the critical trends and challenges campgrounds and glamping operators need to understand now.
He’ll be joined by recurring guests Scott Bahr, President of Cairn Consulting Group; Simon Neal, Founder and CEO of CampMap; Miguel Huerta, President of the Mexican Glamping Association; Rafael Correa, President and CFO of Blue Water Development Corp; Eleanore Hamm, President of RVDA Canada, and Phil Ingrassia, Executive Director of RVDA,
Joining as special guests are Kristin Andersen Garwood, VP of Outdoor Hospitality at Sage Outdoor Advisory, who will share insights on how financial trends are influencing property valuation, and Nick Harrington, Communications Manager at South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, who will explore the connection between public recreation patterns and private sector opportunities.
Stay informed. Stay competitive. This is one conversation you’ll want to be part of.
July 30th Episode Recap
In the recent fifth week episode of MC Fireside Chats, host Brian Searl, founder and CEO of Insider Perks and Modern Campground, welcomed three special guests from the glamping and outdoor hospitality industry, marking a unique show without the usual recurring panelists.
The first guest to introduce herself was Vicki Jones, who runs Tracks and Cream Glamping in Somerset, UK. Her site features nine geodesic domes, including six glamping domes (one with three interconnected domes) and a 10-meter dome for events like retreats, weddings, and yoga classes.
Vicki has been operating for nine years and started a YouTube channel in 2020 to document the experiences of running a glamping site. She is also the UK ambassador for ResNexus, a property management software, and serves on the board of directors for the newly established Glamping Industry Trade Association in the UK, highlighting her deep involvement in the glamping world.
Laura Benaggoune, also from the UK, owns Welsummer Camping. She started her campsite 20 years ago, initially as a small, simple site, and quickly moved into glamping within two years, offering bell tents and later wooden cabins.
Laura emphasizes a focus on nature and herbal medicine, maintaining a “real” and intimate atmosphere at her site, which hosts a maximum of 50-60 people. She noted the explosion of glamping sites in Kent since she began, contrasting the ease of marketing in the earlier days with the current saturated market.
Martin Berrini, originally from Argentina, shared his journey into the hospitality industry. After living in Italy for 20 years, he and his wife moved to Costa Rica, where they established Colina Secreta, a luxury glamping site on the Caribbean side of Puerto Viejo. In addition to Colina Secreta, Martin also owns and manages Taylor Tents, which sells tents to the hospitality industry. He is currently developing “Glampea,” an entry-level glamping project aimed at helping traditional campgrounds transition into glamping.
The discussion delved into the differences in the glamping industry between the UK, North America, and Costa Rica. Vicki and Laura highlighted the more established nature of glamping in the UK, with Laura starting her business early in 2005. They discussed the benefits of starting a business before the social media boom, where traditional marketing and a strong brand vision were key to standing out amidst less competition. Laura emphasized that her site’s small, intimate, and personal approach, fostering a strong sense of community and repeat visitors, has been crucial for its sustainability.
Vicki echoed the importance of customer service and personal interaction, noting that her site’s YouTube channel helps guests feel they know her and her family before they even arrive, creating a warm and welcoming experience. She questioned the perception that guests do not want to interact with staff, citing her own positive experiences and the value of personal greetings and guided tours of the property.
Martin explained that his glamping sites in Costa Rica primarily attract international guests (over 80% from Europe and the USA) seeking luxury experiences in the jungle, with a smaller percentage of local Costa Rican visitors. He contrasted this with the UK market, which primarily serves local guests. He also spoke about Glampea’s mission to support camping owners in entering the glamping business, emphasizing social, economic, and environmental impact.
The conversation touched upon the use of AI and technology in the outdoor hospitality industry. While Brian Searl expressed his enthusiasm for AI’s potential to enhance guest experiences, the guests discussed the challenge of integrating technology without detracting from the natural, disconnected outdoor experience that glamping offers. Laura specifically pondered how AI could be used in off-grid settings to enhance guest well-being and provide information like stargazing guides.
The guests also discussed the challenges of operating glamping sites during winter. Vicki’s Tracks and Cream Glamping closes during the winter months due to muddy conditions, prioritizing guest comfort over year-round operation. Laura, however, keeps her cabins open through winter at Welsummer Camping, adapting to the weather by emphasizing cozy, indoor experiences with log burners, finding it necessary for the viability of her smaller business. Martin noted that his new Glampea projects in Argentina and Chile will face similar winter challenges, highlighting the need to balance potential earnings with operational complexities and guest experience in colder climates.
The episode concluded with final thoughts on the future of glamping. Martin emphasized that the term “glamping” is increasingly used broadly for marketing, and there’s a need to maintain the quality and unique experience it represents, especially as luxury hotels enter the “luxury camp” space. He aims for Glampea to assist campgrounds in making this transition thoughtfully. Vicki encouraged aspiring glamping site owners to explore her YouTube channel to understand the realities of the lifestyle business before committing.
About MC Fireside Chats
MC Fireside Chats is a live podcast experience dedicated to the outdoor hospitality and outdoor recreation industries. Hosted by Brian Searl, founder and CEO of Insider Perks and Modern Campground, the show offers engaging discussions with industry leaders, innovators, and experts shaping the future of camping, RVing, glamping, and outdoor recreation.
Airing every Wednesday at 2 p.m. (ET), the show follows a structured weekly theme to deliver deep dives into the most relevant topics:
- Week 1: Industry Trends & Insights
- Week 2: Enhancing Guest Experience
- Week 3: Business Operations & Management
- Week 4: RV Industry, Outdoor Recreation & Activities
Each episode features a panel of recurring guests, complemented by 1–2 rotating special guests, including industry analysts, campground owners, technology providers, sustainability advocates, and more. Whether exploring the latest market trends or innovative guest experience strategies, MC Fireside Chats delivers thought-provoking insights for professionals and enthusiasts across the outdoor recreation spectrum.
To explore previous episodes of MC Fireside Chats, visit: moderncampground.com/mc-fireside-chats.