In 2024, the outdoor hospitality industry went through some major shakeups as the big hotel chains officially entered the game.

Hilton partnered with Autocamp. Hyatt entered into an exclusive alliance with Under Canvas, Marriott acquired Postcard Cabins, and Best Western entered into a soft brand agreement with Zion Wildflower in Utah.

All this happened in 2024, but it has been in the works for many years. What does all this mean for the outdoor hospitality industry?

Our guest on Episode 3 of Season 4 is going to shine a light on the big moves that took place, and what the future might look like for the outdoor hospitality industry.

I’m excited to talk with Best Western Chief Development and Franchise Officer Brad LeBlanc. He is spearheading Best Western's entry into outdoor hospitality, and he is excited for the future.

In this episode, we’ll talk about Best Western’s philosophy when it comes to soft brand agreements, and we also discuss how the outdoor hospitality industry will be reshaped now that the "bigs" have entered the game.

Buckle up and enjoy Episode 3 on Season 4 of the Glamptuary Podcast!

Best Western Hotels - https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US.html

Brad LeBlanc - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradleblanc/

Glamptuary Podcast - https://www.glamptuary.com/podcast

Our focus in Season 4 of The Glamptuary Podcast is on the business side of outdoor hospitality, and a large portion of the industry is comprised of RV Parks and Campgrounds.

Many of these traditional outdoor hospitality destinations are evolving to include added amenities, glamping structures, and modern technology both onsite and online.

In Episode 2, we sat down with Garett McKinnon, who is the Chief Revenue Officer of Campground Views. His organization is involved with over 25,000 outdoor hospitality destinations across the United States and Canada. Garett and his team are helping their clients amplify their online presence through a groundbreaking 360 Virtual Tour Technology, in addition to advising on how to increase revenue streams and overall business performance.

Garett and I chatted about the trends he is noticing in the industry, along with the challenges the travel industry is currently facing due to the tariff wars happening between the United States and Canada. Garett also provides some sage advice for owner/operators, and those curious about outdoor hospitality, as to what they can do to build a path to success.

It's a fun and informative podcast episode, and we're excited to bring it to you!

Enjoy!

Campground Views - https://www.campgroundviews.com/

Garett McKinnon - https://www.linkedin.com/in/garett-mckinnon-41abb5208/

Glamptuary Podcast - https://www.glamptuary.com/podcast

IT'S THE SEASON PREMIERE OF SEASON 4!!

We’re excited to be back with Season 4, and our focus is on the business side of experiential outdoor hospitality.

In Season 4, we’re talking with guests who are excelling in the outdoor hospitality space. And our first guest is Tori Bolt, who co-owns BOLT FARM TREEHOUSE with her husband Seth.

Tori and Seth are KILLING IT!

They have amassed over 600,000 Instagram Followers, have appeared on Netflix, and have a 96% occupancy rate! And we are lucky to have the opportunity to learn from Tori, and hear her inspirational story.

In this episode, Tori talks about how she and Seth have built such a successful outdoor hospitality destination. She explains how they've nailed success on Instagram, and she offers TONS of advice for entrepreneurs thinking about a career in experiential outdoor hospitality.

We're so excited to bring you this episode!

Namasté

IT'S THE SEASON FINALE OF SEASON 3!

We're back on our home turf in the United States of America to wrap up our worldwide tour, and we're thrilled to be speaking with our guest Tereasa Surratt! She is an award-winning author, designer, and co-owner of a true Americana version of a Glamptuary.

In episode 6, we find ourselves at the nostalgic Camp Wandawega, located on a small lake near Elkhorn, Wisconsin.

With a storied past that includes being a speakeasy, being federally raided, operating as a brothel, then a summer camp, and then a Latvian Catholic Church Retreat, all before Tereasa Surratt and her husband David saved it from demolition - Camp Wandawega is a time-traveling experience back to simpler days and pure enjoyment.

In this episode, we learn about the past personalities of Camp Wandawega, as well as Tereasa and David's unique approach to building and operating this outdoor hospitality destination. Tereasa also provides some wise advice to entrepreneurs who are building a brand, and perhaps building a Glamptuary.

We're excited to wrap up Season 3, and we hope you enjoy our chat with Tereasa Surratt!

Namasté

In Episode 5, we find ourselves in southeastern England at the largest family-owned National Nature Reserve in the United Kingdom.

Elmley National Nature Reserve is set on 3,300 aces of wonderful wilderness and breath-taking beauty, just 40 miles from London.

It is owned and operated by Gareth and Georgina Fulton who balance a marriage, raising kids, managing the nature reserve, and running a gorgeous experiential outdoor hospitality destination.

In our discussion, we learned about where it all began for Gareth and Georgina - with their first meeting happening at the home of the British Prime Minister. We also talk about the challenges they face balancing time between business and family, as well as some of the broader challenges facing the hospitality industry in the United Kingdom. And we end with some encouraging words for anyone out there contemplating a new endeavor.

Brew your favorite tea, and enjoy Episode 5 on Season 3 of The Glamptuary Podcast!

In Episode 4, we find ourselves on the beaches of Mexico at a turtle sanctuary that doubles as an environmentally conscious resort called Playa Viva.

We sat down with owner David Leventhal, who is an industry leader in regenerative design and travel. In our discussion, we learned about David's beginnings in the hospitality industry, and how he transformed a small turtle sanctuary into a luxury outdoor hospitality destination using the following guiding principals:

--- Use Cleaner, More Abundant and Transparent – Energy, Water and Waste Streams

--- Promote and Create Biodiversity

--- Create Transformational Experiences

--- Promote Meaningful Community

--- Create a Living Legacy

David also offers up some insightful thoughts about what it takes to succeed in the experiential outdoor hospitality industry, and why it's vitally important to always know your why.

We’re excited to talk turtles and more with David, and we hope you enjoy Episode 4, on Season 3, of The Glamptuary Podcast!

Learn more about Playa Viva - https://www.playaviva.com/

Learn more about David Leventhal - https://www.regenerativetravel.com/impact/why-regenerative-why-now-co-founder-david-leventhal-on-ethos-service-and-luxury/

Learn more about Glamptuary - https://www.glamptuary.com/

We're heading into the rainforests of Southeast Asia in our next episode of The Glamptuary Podcast!

In Episode 3, we find ourselves at a unique experiential outdoor hospitality destination called Shinta Mani Wild, located in Cambodia. We sat down with Owner and Designer Bill Bensley, who is an architect, interior designer, landscape architect, and — most of all — conservationist. Bill has designed more than 200 resorts, hotels, and palaces in 30-plus countries, and has more in the works.

In our discussion, we learned about Bill's origins in Orange County, California and what led him to his current home in Thailand. We also dove deep into the importance of sustainability in design, and how Bill's efforts in conservation and art help support the communities of Cambodia. Bill is truly an inspiration, and is doing so many wonderful things for the hospitality industries, and for planet Earth.

We're so excited to shine a spotlight on Bill, and we hope you enjoy our conversation in Episode 3, on Season 3, of The Glamptuary Podcast!

Learn more about Shinta Mani - https://shintamani.com/

Learn more about Bill Bensley - https://www.bensley.com/

Learn more about Glamptuary - https://www.glamptuary.com/

Our next stop on our global excursion in Season 3 has us in Africa, in the country of Zambia, at a premiere Safari Destination called Flatdogs Camp.

We sat down with the Founder and Director of Flatdogs Camp, Jessica Salmon, who has been operating a successful Glamptuary for over 30 years!

She talks about her origins in England where she was a awarded a Zoology Degree from the University of Nottingham, and how she hitchhiked her way around Africa until she landed in Zambia.

Jessica has built a truly sustainable Outdoor Hospitality Destination which has enriched the community she lives in, and the lives of her guests who have visited Flatdogs Camp.

Enjoy Episode 2 on Season 3 of The Glamptuary Podcast!