As the 2024 Glamping Show fast approaches next week in Aurora, Colorado, we are reminded of why Romeo Bravo Software has taken a long-term view on developing software to serve and support purveyors of the ultimate glamping experience. The conventional wisdom is that glamping is a relatively new, rapidly growing industry, and most of all, a robust travel trend. No doubt, in recent years glamping certainly has become the fertile province of creative hospitality entrepreneurs. Each bringing their own vision for a unique and luxurious outdoor hospitality experience to life. Amidst all the recent attention and widespread curiosity there is a lesser known truth about Western civilization’s relationship with glamping, and the reality is it has a rich history with cultural roots that run deep.
As referenced on Wikipedia: “the word “glamping”, a portmanteau of “glamorous” and “camping”, was not added to the Oxford English Dictionary until 2016; however, Western civilization’s infatuation with glamping memorably goes back over 500 years to the 16th century. The legend began in the Scottish Highlands, where the Earl of Atholl gained attention for provisioning a lavish tent camp to host King James V and his mother. Soon after in June of 1520, François I of France and Henry VIII of England, conceived and built the epic “Field of Cloth and Gold.” An astonishingly grand European festival set in the north a France. Eternally famous, the Field of Cloth and Gold was intended to strengthen relations between the two kingdoms, and was comprised of some 2,800 tents and marquees. The grounds were fabulously adorned with fountains running with red wine.
In June of 1520, François I of France and Henry VIII of England, curated and built the “Field of Cloth and Gold.”
At around the same time, the Ottomans had ostentatious, palatial tents transported from one military mission to the next. Entire teams of artisans travelled with the army to erect and maintain these imperial tents.
Some 400 years later, in the 1920s, an African safari became “the thing to do” among wealthy Americans and British. But wealthy travelers, even those in search of adventure, were not willing to sacrifice comfort or luxury. From electric generators, to folding baths, and cases of champagne, travelers were afforded every domestic luxury while on adventure.”
Ernest Hemingway taking an afternoon respite, while on safari in Africa
Fast forward to the turn of the 20th century, the romance of the safari experience was brilliantly reimagined with the opening of Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge on British Columbia’s Vancouver Island in the year 2000. Founder Mr. Richard Genovese conceived the one-of-a-kind 600-acre glamping resort “where guests could unwind, reconnect with loved ones and immerse themselves in the wild.” Clayoquot was a refreshing breakthrough and harbinger of the modern day glamping scene, and developed a well-earned reputation for decades of excellence in providing guests with the quintessential all-inclusive Northwest Pacific Coast wilderness experience.
A decade later in 2010, visionary guest ranch owner Mr. Jim Manley, and interior designer, Ms. Jet Zarkadas, introduced the world to Camp Roosevelt at the Ranch at Rock Creek. A timeless and sublime way to experience the American West, Camp Roosevelt was inspired by the historic mining communities of the late 19th century whose freewheeling residents first lived in canvas tents. It wasn’t until they struck paydirt they would move in to finely crafted stick built homes and bustling boom towns made of brick and mortar. The Ranch at Rock Creek’s elite glamping accommodations, also known as “Canvas Cabins”, are situated along a blue-ribbon trout stream and engender a profound “Montana” glamping experience that has since gained many imitators, but no equal.
Launched in 2010, the “Canvas Cabins” at the Ranch at Rock Creek, redefined the Western glamping experience.
A wonderful proliferation of glamping concepts has since swept the nation and the globe. Now there are hundreds, if not thousands of stand-out destinations at every price point, from affordable to over-the-top.
Some of our noteworthy favorites include Westgate River Ranch in River Ranch, FL, the Fields in South Haven, MI, Bolt Farm Treehouse in Whitwell TN, Collective Retreats’ Governor’s Island, NY, Cottar’s 1920’s Camp in Kenya’s Masai Mara, and Under Canvas North Yellowstone in Paradise Valley, MT.
The award winning Cottar’s 1920’s camp offers modern day travelers a vintage luxury glamping experience at its best.
From our point-of-view, glamping’s current state could be best described as “what’s old is new again.” For every first-time 21st century glamper, there is historical companion with whom they share a passion for experiential travel. While the modern and the ancestral glamper are unaware of their common bond, each aspires to a lifetime of seeking more and better glamping experiences.
From a economic perspective, glamping is not a momentary phenomena, in fact, we know it is a tried and true experience. Long proven to capture a generous share of the travel economy, we believe it will thrive through the end of this century, and long after.
Romeo Bravo Software, looks forward to engaging with the entire glamping community next week (and especially with our fellow members of the American Glamping Association) at the Glamping Show.
Our company understands that eventually every hospitality operator must grow and continue to refine their guest experience as well as improve their profitability model. This is why we provide luxury resort level technology designed for glamping operators. As your business grows to include the all-inclusive management of lodging, F&B, and activity revenue, our software will help you scale and break through to new heights. Furthermore, once our technology is implemented, your business will not outgrow the capabilities of our software. We take the long view and dedicated to constant development. As such you won’t face the challenges of struggling to find the right system and fall into a frustrating pattern of swapping one system for another along your hospitality management journey.
We look forward to meeting you, demonstrating our technology, and explaining how and why we can be the best tech partner for your glamping business now and in the future. Please come visit Romeo Bravo Software in booth #214.
We provide software that increases efficiency and profitability
for ranches, lodges, clubs, outfitters and guides that specialize in premium outdoor experiences.
