The Business of Glamping and the Rise of Cottagecore in Czechia

Glamping is a combination of two words, glamour and camping, it’s in essence, luxury camping.

Glamping has been on the rise in recent years, especially following the Covid pandemic, and a whole (profitable) business has developed around it.

People now expect more from their stay. They don’t just want a holiday, but an experience where the space, natural setting and overall ambience are truly integrated.

Indeed, according to FoxBusiness, the reason for the rise of glamping is multi-dimensional. Firstly, Millennials are now turning into parents, and unlike older generations many expect certain amenities when camping. This can manifest in the form of wi-fi, hot showers, electricity, etc.

Furthermore, there is a lot of diversity in pricing, with both low-priced and high-priced accommodations on offer, meaning there’s something for everyone. 

Similarly, to glamping, an internet aesthetic called cottagecore has been gaining a great deal of traction on social media since late 2020.

Emerging after the lockdowns, the cottagecore aesthetic romanticizes traditional rural dwellings and escapism. Images are filled with foraged mushrooms, terrariums, brooks, snails and woodlands, which are much reminiscent of the Czech countryside.  

One example of this booming industry is the Amazing Places platform, which promotes glamping homes in the Czech Republic.

“Glamping is certainly an interesting business, but it can only become good or profitable when the owner has the necessary prerequisites. It’s not just about the building and operation of the place but also you need to pay attention to other factors, whether it’s communication with guests, marketing or quality of service,” said Klára Honzíková, in charge of the platform’s digital strategy.

Nevertheless, the capital to start such a business is not cheap. The initial investment amounted to one million for the purchase of the chalet with a subsequent two million used for the renovation of the old house. According to Honzíková, it is clear that the investment is paying off.

“The occupancy rate was around eighty percent. However, we, our family and friend visit the cottage and we are getting close to 100 percent occupancy,” she adds.

With lodgers paying a minimum of three and a half thousand crowns per night, which with eighty percent occupancy, represents a gross income of about a million crowns per year.

What the future holds for the glamping industry is unknown. Yet it seems that younger generations, both Millennials and Gen-Z are attached to the idea of escaping modern life, even if only for a short period.

Therefore, we may see this rapidly developing industry grow even further in the future as more and more young people start going on holiday.

Moreover, the Czech Republic provides an ideal location for such businesses, with an idyllic countryside evocative of the cottagecore aesthetic.