‘People really do have that wow feeling’
Having a coffee with Emile
from Campsite Gorishoekse Hoeve
Why did you start glamping? We put this question to four different campsite owners, all with different types of rental accommodation. From small, cosy atmosphere tents, to large luxury glamping tents for the whole family, four campsite owners do their story explaining their motivation for glamping and how they have experienced it so far.
In this story, we hear from Emile Hirdes, of Gorishoekse Hoeve in Scherpenisse, Zeeland:
Emile, Why did you start with rental properties?
When we started the campground, there were really only permanent sites. Almost immediately, we knew that we wanted a little more variety there ourselves. We also did want to look for a new kind of guest, and through rentals, that was possible. That presented an opportunity to have more diversity of guests at the campground, and quite a lot has changed since then.
How did you experience that lead-up process?
We had some old mobile homes left over that we rented out, but other than that, we did virtually nothing in them. And well, then we just dove in. Then, we first built a cottage with the idea of having something different at the park than just caravans. After all, we think that diversity is very important. This cottage rented out so well that we started making a second one, and now we have 25 different rental properties listed. We just dove in. It was really pioneering for us, but you learn a lot from that.
Subtitles (Dutch and English) available in the menu!
And what is the experience so far with tent rentals?
Yes, quite good, actually. Previously, people sometimes had doubts about staying in a tent in case of bad weather. But today, they are all so luxuriously and comfortably furnished they have a fine stay even in bad weather. Fixed beds, fixed kitchen, a shower, everything is in it. And ultimately, it is that very experience of a tent that makes it special. People like that, and especially the comfort they have with it and how such a tent looks in real life instead of the picture on the website still amazes guests.
Each tent is decorated differently. Very special, why did you choose that?
I have to honestly say that the decor is my wife’s thing, haha. I then do more of the executive part in that. But the idea is that we don’t go for standard. So you will also not see us building accommodations the same. We make a conscious choice to do that. For example, even at the Big Oaks, we don’t all have windows on the same side. That’s why we like to play with the format because that’s when another new product really comes out. For example, with repeat reservations, you also notice that people really ask specifically about the tent they stayed in last time.
Nice to hear! Do you have any tips for other campground owners to consider?
Yes definitely. Make sure you do really good research.
We went from no rentals to rentals. It really is a unique business, though. Also, clearly indicate to guests that they are staying in tents. I always say, in the end, it’s just a form of camping. While doing so, name the benefits of a stay in such a tent. Yes, it can be quite hot during the day, but at night, you’ll just be nice and cool. And, of course, it’s also just a very broad season that you can take advantage of, good weather or bad weather.
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The Having a coffe with series is part of Expedition Glamp: our new magazine packed with interesting stories from campsite owners and other articles to learn all about glamping.
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