How Yurts and Bell Tents KILL Glamping Profits

How many people run a glamping business? Or aspire to run a glamping business? 

I wanted to discuss how you can increase your return on investment (ROI) and still have a lifestyle business. You may think, "That's not what I want because a company that runs all year round will not fit my lifestyle." You may, at the moment, close in September and relax till March.

Well, I would like to ask how you get through the wintertime if you have no glamping rental income for four months. And what is the income potential of your business if you were to stay open all year? 

This article is not just for those currently in a glamping business. You might be struggling in your current business sector and want additional income. You might have heard purchasing canvas structures is the best and cheapest way to start your glamping venture. 

Well, I'm here to tell you that I can disprove that. 

I'm here to tell you that I have customers who happily run a glamping business throughout the year and have less financial stress because they have a recurring income during the wintertime. 

Not only that, but they have a recurring income that increases during the winter. Think about that. When you have decided you might close because the weather is getting a bit rubbish and you need to repair your tents or yurts, store them away, and start saving, thinking how you'll pay for Christmas, that time can be your most financially successful. 

Readers might say, "But I want to go away for two months. I want to go away and relax. I don't want to think about a business." If you have a glamping business that runs all year, you'll have the extra income to put in a system that allows you to go away. 

If you've got additional income coming in during winter, what's stopping you from employing a local seasonal worker who will happily deal with the business while you're away? You could go away and relax on the beach and leave the work to them. Suddenly, you're teaching someone your processes and way of doing things. And once they're educated in your business, they could run it for you during the summer months so you can have a summer holiday, too.

And someone said that having a business that runs all year round is not a lifestyle business. I beg to differ. 

And you won't have the expense of repairing and storing the yurts or bell tents, dealing with musty furnishings. You have a business that works with you, not work against you. Your structures are your investment.

Your Glamping Company Limited

With this extra income, you might consider having a business structure and a Limited Company. Having a Limited company structure gives you protection and peace of mind.

Or you could say, "I don't want the extra hassle of a Limited company or VAT". So you'll limit yourself to revenue of under £85,000 a year, and setting up the business structure at the start or near the beginning of your glamping journey is the best time before things get complicated.

Always put processes and plans in place for the next five years of growth. Think big, don't think short term, think long term! Think exit strategy. Businesses built from the ground up have the potential to be sold when the time is right.

The Cold Wind of Reality

So, you get your finances in place, buy the bell tents, pitch them, and you're open, fantastic, then the wind blows and rain falls! Remember, it's a British Summer; the keyword is 'British'. Customers might not fancy having two or three days under canvas in the rain, so they don't turn up, even after paying a deposit. You may think that's a windfall, but it's not because you don't get those positive reviews. Those positive reviews about how fantastic it was to spend time at your site, spending quality family time together.

What about Us?

We at Logspan sell solid glamping buildings, and you may be thinking, "They're pushing them because they sell them." I'm not here to advertise Logspan; I'm making the case for solid glamping structures. 

And why am I making this case? I've seen them work. I know that glamping pods are rentable all year round. I know a business with wooden structures on it is sellable.

That could be your business!

If you want a chat and some impartial free advice, please contact [email protected] and book a time with one of our experts. We won't charge a penny for the consolidation.

Because we know that a solid glamping structure will give you a greater return on investment, those days of packing away and storing the canvas will be long gone!