‘Know how you see your revenue model for yourself’
Having a coffee with Arjan
from Wilgenheerd Manor
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 get an answer from Arjan Eleveld, of Landgoed Wilgenheerd in Wehe-den Hoorn, Groningen:
Arjan, why did you start with rental properties??
After ten years of running a small campsite in Italy, we wanted to start with a new location in the Netherlands. We wanted to take the good things from the previous campsite to the new one. For us, that is tranquillity, nature, space, and opportunities for outdoor sports. It is important to us that every guest, no matter what their wallet, is welcome here. From cyclists with small tents for a single night to vacationers who want to spend, say, ten days in a luxury tent.
How did you experience that lead-up process?
We started out in the coronavirus years, and while that was problematic for many people, it mostly helped us as a campground. After all, everyone wanted to vacation in Holland, and so it was immediately full. That made for good word-of- mouth advertising. So there were really no major challenges for us. However, it is wise to have a good business plan and to have it critically reviewed by others, for example. Combined with the experience of the previous campsite in Italy, it was relatively easy for us to make a follow-up pitch here.
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And what is the experience so far with tent rentals?
We experience it as very positive. First of all, of course, they are just very nice tents, and that is also what the guests appreciate so much. The sleek shape of the tipi, with that beautiful canopy, with the terrace in front of it. But also the size and space inside. Should the weather be bad, guests can also find comfort in the tent. The tipi is located in a beautiful spot by the willows by the water, and it is truly considered romantic. We also notice, for example, that it is often young couples who book this place.
Sustainability also plays a role with you. How do you experience that?
Surely, we notice that people are working on that. We get a lot of positive feedback on, for example, the solar panels or the pipes of our new heating system. But we also like to work with local business owners, such as the baker or the installer. Those also benefit from you having a campsite here, and that creates a trade-off. We just find that this is something which fits very much here in the Groningen area.
Now that’s something special! Do you have any advice for other campground owners?
My advice would be to go for choices that suit you and your target audience. For us, for example, that was the
tipi tent and its furnishings. But suppose you would like
to host a guest with a smaller wallet; that has certain consequences compared to a guest who is fine with spending 2,000.00 euros for a week’s vacation. ‘You have to know very well what you envision and how you see your payback model for yourself.
Glad we could stop by, Arjan and Heleen!
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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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