At the end of a busy season, glampsite businesses deserve a well-earned rest. The off-season is undoubtedly a period to decompress, but it’s also a golden opportunity to take a step back and look at ways to improve your site. The months can pass very quickly – before you know it, the new season has arrived, and you’ve stood still while the competition has taken their offering to the next level.
It pays to take a deep dive into your site’s infrastructure, facilities, and guest experience, ensuring your glampsite remains competitive and continues to attract new and returning visitors.
Research your customer feedback
When it comes to identifying ways to improve your glamping experience, there’s no better resource than the opinions of your customers. Read your guest books, reach out to past customers, check your online reviews, and research social media comments and messages. Absorb everything – both positive and negative – to understand which features work and which areas have room for improvement.
Assess your use of space
Glampsites often get feedback about use of space within their accommodation. It could be about the awkward position of furniture, a cramped seating area or a bed that catches too much sunlight. Having your accommodation vacant for a few months gives you a chance to make adjustments. A simple reconfiguration often makes a big difference: many TruDomes customers opt for our Star Sleeper loft bed platform which accommodates two single beds or one double bed with the option to fit one of our bathroom pods underneath for maximum economy of space.
Evaluate energy efficiency
The off-season is the perfect time to evaluate your energy use and identify areas for improvement. Our customers often use TruDomes’ enhanced insulation to keep heat out in the height of summer and cold out in the chillier parts of the glamping season, regulating temperature without the use of energy-intense heating and cooling systems. They also incorporate our solar panel energy to reduce running costs and demonstrate their sustainable credentials to eco-conscious guests.
Consider upgrades and new features
TruDomes have worked with many fledgling glamping businesses which successfully establish themselves in their first season and use the yield to invest in improvements for their second season.
Take a look at trends in the glamping industry to see what features are in demand and consider new amenities that can enhance your guests’ comfort and experience. Hot tubs and private bathrooms are popular options. Geodomes are ideal for upgrades: TruDomes supply bathroom pods, kitchenettes, wood burners and a range of other luxury features that are easy to fit.
Revamp your style and theme
The visual and thematic appeal of your glampsite is critical to attracting guests. Does your site have a cohesive theme? If your style is starting to feel outdated, you can devote time during the off-season to refresh your glampsite’s aesthetics. This could involve adding new design elements or even introducing new landscaping features.
Think about updating the colour schemes, textiles, or furnishings to give your accommodation a fresh and inviting look. A well-thought-out style can significantly enhance the appeal of your glampsite on social media and in marketing materials, helping you stand out from competitors.
Sometimes refreshing the furnishings can also add practical benefits. With their panoramic windows, geodomes are renowned for maximising the benefits of natural light, but east-facing aspects can attract a little too much solar attention in the early hours of a summer morning. With that in mind, many of our clients opt for our blackout-lined curtains to keep sunlight at bay until their guests are ready to enjoy it.
Analyse your booking trends
The quieter months provide an excellent opportunity to review your booking data and improve your sales funnel. Look at trends in your booking history: when are guests booking, how many are booking via online agents, what types of accommodation are most popular, and where are the gaps in your bookings? This insight can guide your marketing strategies and help you adjust pricing, promotions, and packages to maximise conversions.
Enhance guest experience and personalisation
Incorporating personalised touches into your glampsite helps to set you apart from other sites. During the off-season, think about how you can add personalised services, such as customised welcome kits, local experiences, or special event packages.
Remember what got you here!
While continual improvement is important to stay fresh in a competitive market, always be mindful not to lose the essence and identity of your glampsite amid any changes you make. If you’ve managed to build a successful glamping business, remember what inspired you to start it and stay true to the vision and values that made it a success.
It’s important to look ahead to the future, but you should also reflect on the past and celebrate everything you’ve achieved!
Need more advice?
TruDomes’ customer support team is here to provide advice. We are experts in helping glampsites to improve their offering and enhance their customer experience. For further information, please get in touch and we’d be happy to help!
You can call us on 024 7632 6585 or email [email protected]
