Over the course of 2021, outdoor holidays have grown exponentially in popularity when compared with hotel stays.
Pitchup (pitchup.com), a platform for booking outdoor holidays throughout Europe, has recorded its highest growth rates and an 84% increase in overnight stays in autumn 2021, with September and October posting an increase of arrivals of 206% and 187% compared with 2019, according to Camping Business. Hotel and room booking services AirBnB (airbnb.com), Expedia (expedia.com) and booking.com have suffered a respective 7%, 32% and 18% reduction.
Advance bookings for 2022 have increased 200% compared to last year. These favourable effects of the growing popularity of outdoor activities and holidays appear to be unaffected by seasonality, when looking at the statistics from Pitchup.
Those who hosted glamping accommodation equipped for the low-season have benefited from the trend, providing more welcoming and comfortable solutions in a colder climate. The market boost from the pandemic also saw an increase in sites offering private restrooms or en suites for extra safety, which will strengthen the demand for “premium” glamping options.
Pods still represent around half of all glamping bookings on Pitchup’s platform, making them one of the most popular accommodation choices. As well as requiring lower maintenance, pods also cater to a wider clientele, thanks to their average price and weatherproofing.
The decline in bookings for a generic staycation shows that people are looking to be closer to nature, with the same expectation of luxury; meaning high-end glamping accommodations are becoming substitutes for hotels. Leading to innovation in our field with more original structures (treehouses and geodesic domes) and better technology.
