Imagine being on vacation and fully immersed in Mother Nature’s beauty, letting the breathtaking sights and smells surround you, while also enjoying modern amenities such as, say, a private bathroom or a king-size bed. This ideal blend of outdoors and luxury has intertwined over the years and even earned itself a name: glamping.
The luxury camping combo has been turning heads in recent years and continues to be a growing trend among travelers. According to ResearchAndMarkets.com, the glamping market has reached 4.11 billion dollars and is expected to grow to 6.66 billion dollars by 2030.
It’s not surprising that many large hotel chains are adopting this method of travel and adding these types of accommodations to their portfolio. Take Hyatt, for example, announcing its exclusive alliance with Under Canvas, or Hilton partnering with AutoCamp. Also, Marriott International acquired Postcard Cabins at the end of 2024. These brands understand glamping is on the rise and are ensuring they have offerings for their valued customers to utilize.
“I believe that this trend in travel is growing stronger for many reasons. More people are looking for authentic, out of the ordinary travel experiences. Travelers are spending more for these fulfilling experiences, AND, to meet this trend, more countries and locations are adding a variety of glamping opportunities to their portfolios,” said Lisa Silvestri, CTC, ECC, owner of Silvestri Travel LLC, an Affluent Traveler Collection affiliate, adding that experienced travelers are looking for exotic ways to make memories while visiting the iconic locations they may have been to before.
What Is Glamping?
You might be wondering what defines this type of travel, and to put it simply, glamping is just camping's bougie cousin.
When you think of camping, you might think of sleeping in a sleeping bag inside a tent and cooking meals over an open fire. There’s usually an outhouse involved, and you may or may not have access to running water. Activities during a camping trip are usually focused on the outdoors — think hiking, kayaking, fishing, etc.
Well, these outdoor activities also hold true for a glamping experience, but instead of retreating to a sleeping bag and outhouse, travelers revel in more upscale amenities like a bed with plush sheets, gourmet dining and maybe even a hot tub or sauna. Accommodation options can vary from tents to cabins and everything in between.
“Glamping is truly a remarkable way to experience new locations and have new experiences,” Silvestri said. “Dark sky, northern lights, sundowner animal experiences, even an underwater glamping experience! Some of the options for glamping include: repurposed shipping containers, clear bubble huts, teepees, boats, airstreams, huts, cabins, tents, tree houses and so much more. One of the most rewarding and incredible glamping experiences I have had was in Pushkar, India at Orchid Tents & Tranquility Glamping. An all-inclusive four-night stay, with tours and experiences galore.”
Who Is It For?
According to Sally Black, business development manager at True Ranch Collection, this type of experience is ideal for clients looking for something new and exciting. “This will be perfect for the client who has ‘been there, done that.’ Someone who is looking for a unique experience without the hassle of overseas travel,” she said.
The guests staying at one of True Ranch Collection’s dude ranches are often seeking an escape from their busy schedules. “Our ranches allow them to step back in time,” Black said. “Seeing the world from the back of a horse is a completely different perspective. Our ranches offer guests the opportunity to disconnect and get even closer to nature, breathtaking scenery and the people they love.”
With such a vast range of accommodation options as well as destinations that offer this kind of travel, glamping can certainly be for any type of traveler. Glamping is available in beautiful locations all over the world, and it’s not a one-size-fits-all travel type.
“It can really be anyone who is looking for unique experiences, whether it is the mode of accommodation, the remoteness of the location or a specific one in a lifetime experience,” Silvestri said. “Glamping is for anyone who has an adventurous leaning, anyone who is looking to experience a closeness to nature unparalleled with ‘regular’ travel.”
Can Advisors Make Money?
As an advisor, of course, you want to put your clients first and create travel experiences for them to last a lifetime — but in the same breath, you need to make a living. Booking luxury camping trips for your clients might not have ever crossed your mind, but the trend is here and now, so it’s best to figure out how you can monetize it if your clients come asking you for ideas.
The first step is taking a deeper look at the suppliers you are already comfortable working with. As mentioned earlier, many well-known hotel chains are adding this product to their portfolios, which means advisors can earn commission when booking it. In addition to hotel brands, Silvestri mentioned several tour operators that offer glamping experiences for advisors to book, including Goway, Ker & Downey and Abercrombie & Kent.
Another often overlooked way to make money when booking a glamping vacation is by charging a fee. Even if a brand pays commission on a product, adding a booking fee can be a great supplement to the income. Your expertise enhances the travel experience for guests in so many ways, and most people are happy to pay for this added value.
“Travel agents can add so much color and detail to any journey,” Black said. “They can suggest itineraries and experiences that their clients may have never considered or knew existed. We consider our agents to be our ‘True Partners’ and love nothing more than to make them look like heroes in the eyes of their clients.”
Sustainable practices, off-the-beaten-path destinations, avoiding overcrowding — these are all things travelers are keeping top of mind right now, and offering a glamping vacation can help satisfy all these needs. Whether it’s on your clients’ minds or not, a glamping trip might be just the experience they’re looking for this year.
This article originally appeared in the Summer 2025 issue of The Compass magazine.
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