#065 Guest Attraction Made Easy With A.I., Ben Kilner And Sarah Riley

Pitching to any investor is difficult but imagine being surrounded by TV cameras, studio lights and four dragon investors. That's another level! This is exactly what Derry Green of Secret Garden Glamping did when he pitched his idea on the Dragons Den (also known in the USA as Shark Tank). In this episode Derry shares how it came about, his results and how it all works behind the scenes. He also shares his top tips for attracting investment for any hospitality idea and what he hopes to achieve with his new project. This is an inspirational episode full of top tips from a seasoned glamping business owner running one of the most successful sites in the United Kingdom. For more information or to get in touch with Derry Green visit his website: https://www.thesecretgardenglamping.uk/ To get in touch with Sarah Riley at the Glamping Academy hosted by Inspired Courses, visit https://www.inspiredcoursesvip.com/ 

How can you make your guest attraction marketing easier? Are there tools you can use and how does that work? Today I invite you into the brave new world of marketing with AI and using tools available to help you with guest attraction. This episode is perfect for anyone struggling to attract the customers they want and unable to find the time to make a difference to their numbers. To find out more about Ben Kilner and his current projects, go to https://benkilner.com To access his AI expertise, go to https://aiinbusiness.co We provide these inspirations for your benefit... for free... so we would love to receive a positive review or comment in return, which helps us smile and find the motivation to do more for you in return. You can subscribe to the podcast to receive notifications of all new episodes as soon as they go live. If you would like to speak with Sarah Riley then please reach out via: The Glamping Academy https://glamping.academy Or Inspired Courses https://www.inspiredcoursesvip.com/ Thank you.  

How can we build tourism businesses that are kinder and more regenerative to the environment, healthy to the worker, pleasing to the guest, engaging to the community and profitable to the owner? We don't operate in bubbles so we have to work together to create solutions that everyone will win from in the long term, including Mother Earth. In this optimistic sustainability conversation, Sarah Riley talked with Professor Dr. Willy Legrand about how the eco-resort, luxury camping and glamping industries can help strengthen the bond between the hospitality and nature and how it has the potential to influence the wider tourism industry. We also discussed: industry best practices redefining eco-luxury in hospitality greenwashing reinvesting in nature If you are a trailblazer and have been involved in sustainable best practices in hospitality that you are proud of then Dr. Willy Legrand would like to hear from you. Please contact him through LinkedIn or his email below. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-willy-legrand/ Email: [email protected] With expert tips and advice, you can create a successful and profitable eco-accommodation glamping business that provides your customers with the perfect balance of luxury and nature and you with the perfect lifestyle business. Sarah Riley - The Glamping Academy Learn what it takes to launch a glamping business here: https://www.inspiredcoursesvip.com Join the Start Up And Grow Club here: https://www.inspiredcoursesvip.com/club Take part in the Masterclasses here: https://www.inspiredcoursesvip.com/masterclasses Contact Sarah through LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahrileyuk/ All show notes from the Glamping Business Podcast can be found here: https://www.inspiredcamping.com/category/podcast/

What inspires a family to start a glamping business while their country is at war, they are faced with a pandemic and have 5 young children? We all deal with challenges in different ways. I know that when I’m struggling, all I need to do is listen to the inspirational stories of others to get motivated again. My mind was blown by what Ulyana and her husband Andrii have achieved in Ukraine, and despite all their challenges, they knew they were building more than a business. They were building a dream! So get ready to be inspired by the Mala Richka story! If you're ready to take the plunge into the luxury outdoor accommodation industry, then this is for you. With expert tips and advice, you can create a successful and profitable glamping business that provides your customers with the perfect balance of luxury and nature and you with the perfect lifestyle business. Learn what it takes to launch a glamping business here: https://www.inspiredcoursesvip.com/ Join the Start Up And Grow Club here: https://www.inspiredcoursesvip.com/club Take part in the Masterclasses here: https://www.inspiredcoursesvip.com/masterclasses Show notes from the Glamping Business Podcast: https://www.inspiredcamping.com/category/podcast/  Contact Ulyana and Andrii at Mama Richka: https://malarichka.com Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malarichka/related_profiles/ Find them on the map:  https://www.google.com.ua/maps/place/Mala+Richka,+Kempinh/@49.0898558,23.5074827,16z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x473a3b4174e6533f:0x82f0f40ad50d97cc!8m2!3d49.0912883!4d23.5096999!16s%2Fg%2F11pvbdw13j

Lilypod Glamping is a unique floating sanctuary designed with love and handbuilt with passion in Devon UK. It is a unique stay inspired by nature using the natural wonder of timber. It is low carbon, off-grid short stay unique accommodation that uses natural materials to make an eco-tourism offering worth visiting. Nestled on a stunning lake at Alder Farm, hushed by mature deciduous trees on the border of Dartmoor. With local activities in abundance, ranging from spas to wild swimming, horse riding in the National Park, local farm shops, unique towns and awesome pubs, this is a glamping stay worth experiencing.  In this episode I speak with the Lilypods designer and builder about the highs and lows of creating such a unique space and how important it was to him to find such a stunning location and then develop something to gently on the environment. This episode is both inspirational and aspirational and demonstrates that you don't need to be neglectful of sustainable practices when designing something truly amazing in the genre of low carbon, ecologically responsible off-grid glamping. If you are thinking of visiting Lilypod, be quick before the secret gets out!  Lilypod Website: https://lilypod.uk/ Location: MR7R+VG Lewdown, Okehampton We provide these inspirations for free for your benefit so we would love to receive a positive review or comment in return, which really helps.  You can also subscribe to the podcast to receive notifications of all new episodes as soon as they go live. If you would like to speak with Sarah Riley then reach out via The Glamping Academy https://glamping.academy  hosted by https://www.inspiredcoursesvip.com/   

Today I had the pleasure of speaking with Louis Thompson who is the founder and CEO of multiple businesses including Nomadic Resorts, an award-winning architectural and landscape design office that delivers innovative, experiential hospitality projects across the planet. His company designs bespoke green building projects for various luxury hotel groups including Soneva, Banyan Tree, Playa Viva, Neom and Resplendent Ceylon. Louis also founded Nomadic Escapes, a new outdoor hospitality management company focussed on, biophilic tented experiences; net zero carbon operations, re-wilding and regenerative landscaping. Throughout his career, Louis has worked at the cutting edge of green building and landscaping projects including the pioneering Farm to Fork treetop restaurant at Soneva Fushi, the Treetop Dining Pod at Soneva Kiri and the innovative bamboo treehouses at Playa Viva. In this episode, we talk about the future of experiential travel, sustainability by design, how to develop a community-enhancing regenerative approach and how unique structures are key to attracting the attention of the right type of guest for unique hospitality resorts.  We also touch on the wellness travel trend, designing the needs of guests into the core of a unique offer and how social media influences all of this. Finally, we discussed what glamping has that helps it stand out from the bigger hotels and resorts to help it survive the growing competition in the marketplace. Contact: Louis Thompson here: https://nomadicresorts.com/ Sarah Riley here: https://www.inspiredcoursesvip.com/ For more about this podcast and how to take part visit here:  https://www.inspiredcoursesvip.com/glamping-business-podcast      

Kerry has been a successful glamping business owner for many years. She has single-handedly managed multiple businesses and has had her fair share of ups and downs. She is also known to share generously and talk openly about industry vitals while others keep their cards close to their chests. In this episode, we talk about: Key glamping events in the calendar we are looking forward to most this year The most important part of glamping that some owners miss today Industry insights from a serial glamping business owner and TV star What it's really like to start a glamping business on rented land Her tips for starting a glamping business in a foreign country without even knowing the local language How this style of hospitality can be a retirement plan and a passive income if managed right Why location, location, location is still number 1 for attracting repeat guests And how to price your offering competitively in the market at the moment Learn from one of the most established glamping business entrepreneurs in the industry at these events.   The Glamping Business Start Up And Grow Retreat - 16-20 October Click here to spend 5 days with Kerry Roy and Sarah Riley helping you build your business in person: https://www.inspiredcoursesvip.com/italy-retreat   Eco-Resort Network - Montenegro 24-26 May Enjoy your breakfast with an industry giant like Sarah Dusek, Founder of Under Canvas and Bill Bensley, Founder of Bensley Hotel Designs at The Eco-Resort Network in Montenegro. We have been able to negotiate a 25% discount on a delegate pass and money off your hotel booking https://www.ecoresort.network/ Use coupon:  INSPIRED250 This will discount €250 from the delegate ticket price. You can also find the 15% hotel discount code and link through the organiser's website   See you there! Inspired Courses and The Glamping Academy    

Always take the time to hunt out the experts and speak with those who are generous enough to share their expertise in the industry. Especially when they have been working within it for so many years. This is why I was happy to welcome Phil Russell from Tor View Shepherds Huts in Somerset onto the show. In this episode, Phil shares his insights into the industry and the typical glamping guest. He also talks about the thing that surprises him the most about some guests that stay with him. Having been in business for 10 years now, he discusses the top things that have led to his success and how his determination was key. He also talks about maintaining his team and how he has built it to support him where he needs it most. Phil finally shares what he would do first if he was starting from scratch again and how having a seasonal lifestyle business really works with his personal passion to travel.  Contact Sarah Riley at The Glamping academy https://glamping.academy Visit the Masterclasses at: https://inspiredcourses.com Contact Phil Russell at: https://torviewshepherdshuts.co.uk/  

What sustainability practices are most appreciated by guests and what services are being used to attract eco-tourists and those with a preference towards environmentally sensitive businesses? Rachel Bowers has been deciphering guest preferences on glamping offerings, boutique hotels and unique hospitality and how eco-travel does not mean guests need to sacrifice the quality of the service they receive.  It's very rare to find research on this topic that includes guest and operator surveys for this industry, so when something comes along I want to hear about it. That’s why I invited Rachel onto the podcast to talk about her project and what it means for sustainability. The need for environmental elements to become a priority in hospitality design is clear, but which ones are best and how is it all being fueled by the rising eco-travel demands of the younger generations? This podcast episode has been supported by The Start Up And Grow Club and The Glamping Academy, hosted by Inspired Courses. For more information please visit: The Club: https://www.inspiredcoursesvip.com/club The Glamping Academy: https://glamping.academy/ Inspired Courses: https://www.inspiredcoursesvip.com/ Rachel Bowers has kindly offered to share her research and you can contact her here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelbowers/ If you found this episode helpful, we would love your review of this episode and particularly to give Rachel your thanks.  Looking forward to you joining me again soon. Sarah Riley - The Glamping Academy    

If you start a small glamping business with your kids for something to do because your existing transport business has failed due to the pandemic, is it realistic to think you might get booked out for 2 years in advance, gain hundreds of thousands of social media followers and will soon need to expand your site as the awards keep rolling in?  Well, apparently it is! Derry Green is the founder of The Secret Garden Glamping and in this podcast episode, he shares the inspirational story behind his business, the catalysts that caused it to take off so fast, what his key successes have been, his social media growth strategy and where he thinks the industry is going right now. If you enjoyed this please leave a review and share your thanks and comments with podcast host Sarah Riley and her guest Derry Green. The Secret Garden Glamping - https://www.thesecretgardenglamping.uk/ The Glamping Academy - https://www.inspiredcoursesvip.com/glamping-business-academy More from the podcast - https://www.inspiredcoursesvip.com/glamping-business-podcast