How to Turn First-time Glampers Into Lifelong Guests
Due to travelers’ demand for more glamping accomodations across the US, attracting guests to your glamping operation can seem as easy as “If you build it, they will come.” — but once you start welcoming guests to your property, how can you ensure they return?
Guest retention is an important aspect that glamping operators should consider when mapping out their guest’s experience during their stay. Glamping businesses, expecially new operations, often rely on repeat customers and word-of-mouth referrals to drive bookings and revenue. Therefore, it is essential to focus on the guest’s overall experience to ensure that they have a memorable and enjoyable experience, and are more likely to return in the future.
Read on for a few guidelines we’ve put compiled that can help improve guest retention at your glamping operation!
Offer excellent customer service
Providing top-notch customer service is always important in the hospitality industry, but it is especially crucial for outdoor hospitality and glamping businesses. These types of businesses often rely on a unique and immersive experience to attract guests, so ensuring that all interactions with staff are friendly, helpful, and personalized can make a big difference in terms of guest satisfaction.
Invest in high-quality amenities and facilities
Guests expect a certain level of comfort and convenience when they stay at a glamping property. Providing high-quality amenities and facilities, such as comfortable beds, clean restrooms, and well-maintained grounds, can go a long way in terms of guest satisfaction and retention. It’s also important to add as much information as possible to your listing or website. be sure to include which amenities are and aren’t available, so that guests know exactly what to expect when they arrive for their stay.
Foster a sense of community
Glamping operations often have a unique, rustic charm that can appeal to guests seeking a more immersive, off-the-beaten-path experience. Creating a sense of community and fostering a sense of belonging among guests can help to create a memorable and enjoyable experience that they will want to repeat in the future.
Offer a range of activities and experiences
Glamping sites are often located in beautiful, natural settings that offer a wide range of activities and experiences. Offering a range of activities and experiences that appeal to a variety of interests, such as hiking, fishing, birdwatching, or simply enjoying the great outdoors, can help to attract and retain guests.
Utilize social media and online reviews
Social media and online reviews can be powerful tools for attracting and retaining guests in the outdoor hospitality and glamping industries. Encouraging guests to share their experiences and post reviews online can help to build a loyal customer base and drive bookings.
Personalize the experience
One way to improve guest retention is to personalize the experience for each individual guest. This could involve asking about their preferences and interests when they book, and then tailoring their experience accordingly. For example, you could offer personalized recommendations for activities or experiences based on their interests, or provide special touches like a personalized welcome basket or a handwritten note in their room.
Follow up after the stay
A simple but effective way to improve guest retention is to follow up with guests after their stay. This could involve sending a thank-you email or postcard, or asking for feedback on their experience. By showing that you value their business and are interested in their feedback, you can create a more positive and memorable experience that they will be more likely to repeat in the future.
Offer loyalty rewards or incentives
Another way to improve guest retention is to offer loyalty rewards or incentives to encourage guests to return. This could involve offering a discount or free nights for repeat bookings, or providing perks like early check-in or late check-out for loyal customers. By showing your appreciation for their business and rewarding their loyalty, you can create a more positive and memorable experience that they will be more likely to repeat in the future.
Promote special events and packages
Special events and packages can be a great way to attract and retain guests. For example, you could offer a "romance package" for couples looking for a romantic getaway, or a "family adventure package" for families looking for fun and exciting activities. By promoting these types of special events and packages, you can create a more enticing and memorable experience that will encourage guests to return.
Use customer data to improve the experience
Finally, glamping operators can use customer data to improve the experience and increase guest retention. By collecting and analyzing data on customer preferences and behaviors, you can better understand what guests are looking for and tailor your offerings accordingly. This could involve offering new activities or experiences based on customer feedback, or making changes to your facilities and amenities based on customer demand.
By following these tips, operators can improve guest retention and build a loyal customer base. By focusing on excellent customer service, high-quality amenities and facilities, a sense of community, a range of activities and experiences, and utilizing social media and online reviews, you can create a memorable and enjoyable experience that guests will be more likely to repeat in the future.
