Glamping is not a niche anymore. It is a mainstream segment of the travel industry, and the numbers behind it have become some of the most cited data in outdoor hospitality. If you are a campground owner, resort developer, farmer, or vacation rental host trying to decide whether to get into glamping, here is where the market stands.
The Numbers Are Hard to Ignore
Grand View Research reports that the global glamping market reached $3.15 billion in 2023, up from $550 million just one year prior, reflecting a compounded annual growth rate of 11.6 percent. That same growth is projected to hold at 8.7 percent CAGR through 2030. For context, the broader tourism industry rarely sustains those rates for this long.
KOA’s research adds a guest-level perspective: 34 percent of new campers in 2023 chose glamping, up from 18 percent in 2021. The subsector has added 15.6 million new participants in just five years.
Why Glamping Keeps Growing
The glamping trend is not driven by novelty alone. It is driven by a fundamental shift in how people want to travel. Today’s traveler, especially Millennials and Gen X with disposable income, is looking for an immersive experience in nature without giving up comfort. They do not want to buy camping gear. They do not want to figure out logistics. They want to show up, feel like they’re somewhere special, and document it.
Glamping answers all of that. And the variety of structure types available, from covered wagons and safari tents to treehouses and yurts, means there is a glamping offering for nearly every type of property and every type of guest.
Which Type of Business Are You?
The glamping opportunity looks different depending on your situation. Here is a quick overview of how the trend applies to different property types:
Developer
Land developers are building entire resorts around the glamping experience. RLA Global reports that glamping resorts typically cost 33 to 50 percent less to develop than a traditional brick-and-mortar resort, with strong demand built in from day one.
RV Park or Campground
RV parks and campgrounds can upgrade existing sites into glamping units without a major footprint change. KOA data shows ROI ranging from 27 to 69 percent depending on whether structures include private bathrooms.
Agritourism
Farms, ranches, and vineyards are using glamping to diversify income and extend guest stays. A PlainsCraft wagon turns a day visitor into a two-night guest and generates overnight revenue from land that is otherwise just operational.
Glamping Resort
Full glamping resorts are creating curated destination experiences with multiple structure types, programmed activities, and premium amenities. They are meeting the demand from travelers who are specifically seeking out glamping as their primary vacation experience.
Vacation Rental
Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO have active glamping categories, and covered wagons attract consistent search interest. For property owners with available land, a single wagon can become a high-performing vacation rental with relatively low startup cost.
What PlainsCraft Can Do for Your Business
PlainsCraft covered wagons are built specifically for the outdoor hospitality industry. Our wagons include full bathrooms, all-season insulation, custom furniture, and a design that photographs beautifully. We work with every type of operator, from first-time glamping investors to multi-site resort developers.
Use our ROI calculator to run your numbers, or contact us to talk through your specific situation.
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