Glamping

CEBU, Philippines - Camping has always meant disconnecting from the usual comforts of home. It often entails laborious efforts of setting up camp, building a fire at night and the hassle of digging a cat hole.  But as humans have learned to innovate in everything, the concept of camping has been improved as well – glamping. 

Glamping is a new way to enjoy the outdoors with a bit more comfort. The term is a portmanteau of the words “glamor” and “camping.” And, accordingly, glamping combines the fun of camping with the luxuries of a hotel.

While the concept may seem fresh, glamping’s roots can be traced to the lifestyle of royalties back in time. The Turkish Ottomans of old would set up extravagant tent cities as a mobile place for their sultan. The luxurious tents would be complete with lavish fabrics, rugs and furnishings.

The Westerners too camped in style way back in 1900s. While traveling in Africa, wealthy American and European travelers often demanded luxurious comforts during their travels through the safari. Their tents included Persian rugs, cozy beddings and a chef to prepare their meals.

In modern times, the glamping concept began in the early 21st century as a solution to the demands for high-value luxury holidays, as a reaction to the international financial crisis at the time.

Traditionally, glamping is done in canvas tents, but lately pull-behind campers, tepees, gypsy wagons, tree houses and log cabins are used. The structure is often semi-permanent which allows for slumbering in the open, complete with the necessities a simple tent cannot provide.

The word “glamping” was first searched on Google in early 2001. The searches were mostly done in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Glamping has since become a global trend which has helped entrepreneurs and tourism organizations.

In the Philippines, there are already 12 glamping sites that provide services to local and foreign tourists. Different resorts and adventure parks offer a variety of glamping experiences, too. The services include stargazing by the coast to a night out in the woods.

Obviously, the Philippines is a great place to set up camp. Local glamping packages range between P2,000 and P12,000 pesos per night, depending on the service inclusions. Glamping has lush business potential, indeed – and, first and foremost, a great way to experience nature.