Retailers embrace the 'glamping' trend
Posted on in Outdoor News
Camping is no longer an uncool, back-to-basics holiday choice. Instead it's one of the hottest trends of recent summers if retail sales and camp site bookings are anything to go by.
However, the recent trend this summer has been all about glamming it up rather than roughing it, according to Scotland Now.
Across Scotland, couples and families are choosing to spend their precious weekends and time off on glamping holidays.
These campers prefer the convenience of car-to-campsite vacations and the luxuries of large, multi-roomed tents.
Rob Ganley, from The Camping and Caravanning Club, said: "In recent years the popularity of glamping - or glamorous camping -has definitely been on the up.
"At our UK sites, this year's figures show more than a 40 per cent increase in glamping bookings, compared with last year."
At independent camping and biking centre, Comrie Croft in Perthshire, chief executive Andrew Donaldson has seen a similar growth.
He said: "Camping in general has been on the rise for the last few years but for us it's the more luxurious-style camping that has grown fastest.
"These glampers are generally families, who come with bigger, more impressive tents, or the beautiful bell-style tents, with all the modern comforts and conveniences.
"We even have campers who decorate their tents with bunting and solar-powered fairy lights. It's amazing."
Camping retailers and stores have also reported an increase in recent sales of glamping equipment.
James Neish, mountain sports manager at Decathlon Glasgow, said: "These days it's comfort rather than roughing it that customers are looking for when camping.
"They want modern tents in bright colours that are easy to put up and keep out the rain.
"They want to sleep on airbeds with cosy sleeping bags.
"In the cooking department, campers also want the ease and convenience of home-style equipment."