Overcoming The Scarcity Mindset: Glamping Start-Up Edition
If you’re in the initial start-up phase of your glamping business, much like myself, you’re likely on an emotional rollercoaster asking yourself questions like: “there are so many glamping businesses out there already – how can I even compete?”
Sure, we all start down this avenue with the understanding that glamping is a niche market, but when you start to dive into the market research, you soon discover that the glamping industry is booming. You can find venues with few to hundreds of units and with simple to luxurious amenities. In no time, your brilliant, novel glamping idea can seem like a mere drop in the bucket.
So today, let’s tackle that feeling head on.
The scarcity mindset
When we feel intimidated by those already occupying the glamping market, thinking we can’t compete, we are talking on a scarcity mindset. It’s difficult to imagine your start-up attracting glampers, when they could easily book a stay at a well-established venue. We are at the foot of the mountain that others have already conquered.
In moments like this, I focus to some statistics to lend another viewpoint. Here are just a few:
95% of glamping businesses are less than 10 years old (North American Glamping Report 2022)
1 in 5 Americans went camping in 2021 (2022 Camping Report by the dyrt)
Over 10 million households took a glamping trip in 2022 (2023 North American Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report)
77% of glampers intend to take a glamping trip in the next 2 years - that’s a huge amount (North American Glamping Report 2022)
You’re not late to the game; it’s only just begun
Now with that being said, I challenge you to look at it from a “glass half full” perspective.
Yes, there are already many players in the game. Yes, the industry is growing rapidly. But isn’t that a good thing? This means that others have already tested this business model and they’ve proven that it works. Glamping businesses are getting exceptional occupancy rates and expanding their size and scope in a short amount of time.
In 2021, an estimated that 17 million households took at least one glamping trip in the US. That’s a 151% increase since 2019 (North American Glamping Report 2022).
As my friend Kyle says, it’s ‘a fatty of an industry’ and it’s going to keep on growing. Though it already seems to be booming, the glamping industry is still on the infancy end of the spectrum.
As for me …
When pitching the idea of MyGlamingPlan to my friends and family, I was met with hesitant responses like “you’ve been working so hard on starting your glamping business – aren’t you afraid you’ll be giving away all of your trade secrets?” and “won’t you just be creating more competition for yourself?”
These are valid points and definitely something to consider. However, when we take a step back, it’s clear to see that MyGlampingPlan is just one of many players of the glamping industry, as will be my Simon Sisters’ venue.
The speed at which the market is going is just a reflection of the high demand. I have no doubt there is room for me to get a piece of that action.
I’ll leave you with a mantra
On a final note, I’ll leave you with the perspective that Whitney Scott of Terramor Outdoor Resorts chooses to take. In her keynote presentation at the 2022 Glamping Show USA she said, “a raising tide lifts all boats.”
In times of doubt, let this be your mantra.
And remember, those pessimistic feelings are bound to creep back in form time to time. So when they do – and your scarcity mindset gets the best of you - take a step back and look at this fatty of an industry for what it is: an exciting opportunity just waiting for you to stake your claim.
1. North American Glamping Report 2O22, sponsored by Terramor Outdoor Resorts / KOA, Inc. in partnership with Sage Outdoor Advisory.
2. 2022 Camping Report, by the dyrt.
3. 2023 North American Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report, sponsored by KOA, Inc. in partnership with Carin Consulting Group.
