How to Write a Glamping Business Plan – Template & Example PDF

Table of Contents

You have a vision: a stunning piece of land, a collection of beautiful and unique shelters, and a stream of happy guests disconnecting from the noise and reconnecting with nature. The dream of starting a glamping business is a powerful one.

But a dream without a plan is just a wish.

I'm Praveen Krishnaiah, co-founder of The Out Factory, and before I was building yurts, I spent over 20 years in the e-commerce and technology sectors building and scaling businesses. I can tell you from experience that a business plan isn't just a document for bankers or investors; it's the architectural blueprint for your success. It's the rigorous, honest process of transforming your passion into a profitable enterprise. It’s where your dream meets reality.

Many aspiring entrepreneurs get stuck here, but you don't have to. This guide is designed to demystify the process. We'll walk you through the seven core sections of a winning glamping business plan, step-by-step, with prompts and questions specifically for this unique industry. Let's build it together.

The Seven Core Sections of a Winning Glamping Business Plan

A great business plan tells a story, backed by data. Here are the chapters of that story.

1. Executive Summary

This is the last section you'll write, but it's the first one anyone will read. It's your entire business on a single page—your "elevator pitch." It should be concise, confident, and compelling, briefly summarizing the key points from all the other sections.

Your Mission: What is the core purpose of your business? (e.g., "To provide a luxury, eco-friendly escape for city dwellers...")
Your Product: What will you offer? (e.g., "...through five modern, four-season yurts...")
Your Market: Who are your target guests? (e.g., "...located just two hours from a major metropolitan area.")
Your Financials: What is your funding requirement and your projected profitability?
Your Vision: What is the long-term goal?

2. Company Description

This is where you tell your story. What is the "why" behind your business? Why are you passionate about this project? This section should define your brand's soul.

Your Mission Statement: A clear, powerful sentence about the experience you want to create for your guests.
Your Brand Identity & "Vibe": Are you a rustic, back-to-nature retreat? A high-end luxury resort? A bohemian-chic escape? Define your personality.
Your Legal Structure: What structure will your business take?
Your Core Values: What principles will guide your business? (e.g., Sustainability, Exceptional Hospitality, Connection to Nature).

Choosing Your Legal Structure: A Quick Guide

An important part of your company description is your legal structure. This affects your taxes, liability, and ability to raise funds in Canada. While you should always consult with a local accountant and lawyer, here are the most common options:

Sole Proprietorship: The simplest structure. You and the business are one and the same. It's easy to set up by registering your business name, but it offers no personal liability protection.
Partnership: If you are starting the business with one or more people, a partnership is a common structure. Like a sole proprietorship, it's relatively simple but generally does not offer liability protection for the partners.
Incorporation: Creating a corporation (either provincially or federally) is the most common choice for serious businesses. It creates a separate legal entity, providing a crucial layer of liability protection that separates your personal assets from your business debts. It's more complex to set up and maintain but offers the most protection and flexibility for growth.

For most new glamping businesses in Canada, incorporating offers the best balance of protection and credibility for future growth and funding.

3. Market Analysis

This is your reality check. It's where you prove there is a real, paying audience for your dream.

Your Target Guests (Your "Avatar"): Get specific. Who are you trying to attract? Don't just say "tourists." Define them. Are they "Weekend Urban Escapees" (e.g., Torontonians looking for a Muskoka getaway)? "Adventure Families" (e.g., Calgarians wanting to explore the Rockies comfortably)? "Honeymooners & Romantics"? The more you know about them, the better you can serve them.
Your Local Competition: Who else is offering unique stays in your area? Look at other glamping sites, but also boutique hotels and unique Airbnb's. What are their nightly rates? What are their weaknesses? How will you be different and better?‍
Your Concept's Resonance: Your concept will drive everything else: design, amenities, location choice, and what kind of structures make the most sense.

4. Products & Services

This section details what you are actually selling. It's more than just a place to sleep; it's an experience.

Your Accommodation Product: What kind of structures will you offer? This is a critical decision that impacts your brand, your guest experience, and your bottom line. Are you offering a rustic tent, a futuristic dome, or a luxurious yurt? Each has a different financial profile and creates a different "vibe" for your guests. Making an informed decision on your core product is the most important step in this section.
1. To understand the financial implications and see a data-driven comparison of different structures based on their potential ROI, durability, and nightly rates, we strongly recommend reading our guide: Best Glamping Structures for Business & Maximum ROI.
2. To explore the "vibe" of each structure and understand the unique guest experience that each one creates, from the communal feel of a yurt to the panoramic views of a dome, see our companion guide: Which Glamping Structure Provides the Best Experience?.
Your Experience Products (Add-Ons): How will you generate additional revenue and create a 5-star experience? Think about offering things like local food & wine baskets, guided hikes or yoga classes, firewood bundles, or partnerships with local attractions.

5. Marketing & Sales Strategy

Building a beautiful glamping site is only half the battle. How will you get your first 100 bookings?

Your Online Presence: This is your digital storefront. It starts with a stunning, professional website with high-quality photos and a direct booking engine.
Your Distribution Strategy: Will you use Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) like Airbnb, Glamping Hub, and Hipcamp to get your first bookings?
Your Social Media Plan: Which platforms will you use to tell your story and attract your target guests? (Hint: for glamping, Instagram is king).

6. Management Team

This is where you sell yourself. Investors and bankers bet on the person as much as the idea.

Your Story: What is your background? What skills and experiences do you bring to the table?
Your Team: Who else is involved? Do you have partners or key advisors?
Why You Will Succeed: Convey your passion, dedication, and unique ability to bring this vision to life.

7. Financial Plan

This section proves your dream is not just a hobby, but a viable business. It needs to be realistic and well-researched.

Your Startup Budget: A complete list of all initial costs, from land and permits to yurt kits and interior furnishings.
Your Revenue Forecast: A realistic projection of income based on nightly rates and projected occupancy.
Your Funding Request: How much money do you need to launch, and what will you use it for? When seeking funding in Canada, you might explore options like a traditional bank loan, the Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP), or specific loans for tourism and hospitality businesses from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). Your comprehensive business plan is the essential first step for any of these conversations.

This section is so important that we've created a dedicated guide to walk you through it.‍

Conclusion: Your Blueprint for Glamping Success

A business plan is your North Star. It's a living document that will guide your decisions, inspire your partners, and keep you focused on your ultimate goal. The process of writing it is the first, most important step in building your glamping empire.

Now that you have the blueprint, it's time to choose the most important material for your build: your accommodation.

As you've defined in your plan, the success of your glamping business hinges on a single, critical factor: Return on Investment (ROI). The structures you choose are not just an expense; they are the primary assets that will generate your revenue for years to come.

This is where our mission aligns with yours. At The Out Factory, we are not just yurt manufacturers; we are partners in your entrepreneurial journey. We obsess over ROI so you don't have to. Every component of our yurts, from their commercial-grade durability to their all-inclusive pricing, is engineered to shorten your path to profitability and maximize your long-term success.

If you are considering yurts for your business, we believe we are the best choice on the market, and we're ready to prove it.

Circular yurt-like cabins on wooden deck overlooking rocky coastal landscape

Contact Our Glamping Business Experts

Your business plan is the first step. The next is a conversation. Let's turn your plan into a profitable reality.

Your Next Steps:

Explore the Potential: Visit our ROI Page to see real-world examples of the nightly rates and revenue our partners are achieving.
See the Investment: Review our transparent Pricing Page to understand the clear, all-in cost of our feature-rich yurts.
Visualize the Dream: Get inspired by our Gallery of stunning client installations from around the world.

Explore Further:

You've now completed a critical step in building your glamping business. But this is only one chapter of the story. Your dream of a profitable glamping empire requires a complete, strategic framework.

That's why we built the Glamping Business MBA Series—a complete, five-part playbook to guide you from initial idea to scalable operation.

The next resource you need depends on where you are right now:

‍If you're focused on the numbers: The Investment: Understand the true costs, forecast your revenue, and find funding. Read: The Ultimate Guide to Glamping Finances – Budget, Fund & Profit‍
If you're scouting for land: The Location: Master the professional framework for choosing the best and most profitable location. Read: Site Planning & Location Analysis for Glamping Success‍
If you're ready to launch: The Bookings Machine: Learn the digital strategies to attract guests and maximize direct bookings. Read: Marketing Your Glamping Business: Strategies to Attract and Retain Guests‍
If you're already operating: The Scalable System: Build an operations playbook to deliver 5-star service and strategically scale your business. Read: 5-Star Glamping Operations Playbook: Systems & Strategies to Scale