The Logbook. September 2019.

THE LOGBOOK S E P T E M B E R

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Contents Editors note...................................................................... 4

Hotel José Nogueira..................................................52 Sanbona Wildlife Reserve....................................... 56 Domaine d’Esperbasque France..........................62 Ye Olde Swan............................................................... 66 Hustyns Glamping Village, Cornwall.................. 68 Océano Patagonia Wild Coast Residence........70 Eco Lucerna Lodge......................................................72 Max Favours Safaris.................................................. 77 Bencia Africa Adventure and Safaris................. 80 Rak Safaris & Tour Company Ltd, Uganda.......82 Desert Day Tours....................................................... 84 Grand Safaris................................................................ 86 Bodega Amalaya (Grupo Colome)...................... 90 Cuvelier Los Andes Vineyard.................................94

The Glamping Show..................................................... 7 Exclusive Tents............................................................ 12 Glampsan........................................................................16 Nomad Shelters........................................................... 20 Outstanding Tent........................................................24 Anthropods....................................................................28 Ebony Home................................................................. 34 Lodg’ing........................................................................... 36 Reserveerteentent.................................................... 38 Crown and Canopy.................................................... 40 Glampinghub.com...................................................... 44 Lemala Nanyukie......................................................... 48

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Editors note

What a magazine we have for you this month!

SUPPLIER FOCUS Glampinghub.com and The Glamping Show.

Irrespective of whether a destination is a glamping site, a hotel or a resort, innovation is often reliant on the pioneering spirit of the suppliers. A cycle of challenge and solution, the dance of supplier and customer is the engine that produces the marvellous and out of this world tours and destinations that both enthrals and delights travellers like us.

In September we have the opportunity to celebrate the manufacturers, designers, inventors and service providers that fall under the category of “supplier”, thanks to the world renowned event by The Glamping Show.

We also featured Glampinghub.com and had a behind the scenes look at how the founders built their business up from a blog to one of the leading listing sites in the world.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE FOCUS A new focus, on the sensuous element of travel we’ve taken a look at the wine industry and the businesses responsible for creating the finest brands that are inspiring the growing enotourism.

SAFARIS What does it take to make a fantastic safari and what should new safari and tour goers expect in 2020? How will new technology in photography and real-time capture change the way we travel in the wild.

Travel and Hospitality.

It pays to keep an eye out.

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The Team Published by The Lost Executive LTD Co-founder and Creative and Editorial Director Don Campbell Co-founder Jerome Smith Head Writer Donnie Rust Copy proofreader Daemon Sands Magazine Designer Louise Smith

Working with Glampinghub.com

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THE GLAMPING SHOW Glampings Different Industry States INTERVIEWEE: Emma Gavala Gavala & Co - Glamping & Alternative Tourism Consultancy WEBSITE: https://glamping.expert

INTRODUCTION FROM DONNIE RUST. THE LOST EXECUTIVE

still at early stages in terms of development.

A good example of this is the Mediterranean. My work with private operators across the region and policy-making entities in Greece, my home country, urges me to label the regional glamping Industry as still being at the early stages. Glamping is present of course, but it’s still the ‘new’ travel trend and is having much slower growth than what we see in places like the UK, USA and Australia.

The main challenge here is the lack of a clear, precise, comprehensive, investor-incentivising and operator-friendly legislative and regulatory framework. Glamping cannot and will not kickoff unless planning issues are addressed at the most basic level. Take the planning process in the UK for example which may be tedious, lengthy and complex but it exists, it’s been tested, and is adjusted and enhanced on an ad hoc basis as more and more operators go through it.

Every year The Glamping Show gives land and site owners, suppliers and enthusiasts a great deal to think about, and an insight into the myriad of layers that this industry has. While Glamping as a term is new, it has been around for some time in different forms and has become to mean different things in different countries.

Regarding the industry as it stands today, we were fortunate enough to speak with strategic marketing consultant Emma Gavala of Gavala & Co, a glamping and alternative tourism consultancy.

Emma will be leading a seminar on ‘A Fresh Marketing Approach: Targeting your Glampers based on their Psychology & Behaviour’ at The Glamping Show on Friday 20th September. The Glamping Show runs from 19th – 21st September at NAEC Stoneleigh and tickets are free so book yours at www.theglampingshow.com.

THE LOST EXECUTIVE: WHAT ARE THE MAIN ISSUE FACING THE GLAMPING INDUSTRY AS IT STANDS TODAY AND WHAT CAN BE DONE BY CONSULTANTS SUCH AS YOURSELF TO SOLVE THEM?

Now, imagine trying to establish a Luxury Nature resort in a country that has no specific rules on where you are allowed to do it and under which circumstances. So, on top of the entrepreneurial risk of setting-up a new venture you have these added concerns dissuading you. Of course, shining exceptions exist but working with them on making it happen is akin to navigating truly uncharted waters.

Emma: When we speak about the ‘Glamping Industry’, I think it is wise to specify in which geographic region we refer to. Throughout my work globally, I have noticed a distinction between the ‘booming’, ‘upcoming’ and ‘nascent’ glamping markets. At both a regional and national scale the maturity of each inevitably correlates with the struggles operators face. This in turn determines how we, glamping consultants, go about tackling them.

Unless national governments and tourism ministries acknowledge glamping and outdoor hospitality as an industry in its own right, and accordingly incentivise it’s growth, even the most determined and ambitious glamping operator will go on facing bureaucratic and legal struggles to bring a venture into life. The Glamping is not Camping contention, which is of course taken for granted in many of our global industry gatherings, is not necessarily the case in other countries.

With this in mind, I would like to focus on the perspective of the nascent glamping markets, in which glamping is a promising travel niche which is

Our role as consultants, therefore, is not simply working on the side of the private operators but acting as the voice of their needs and awakening

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Change the focus from ‘Glamping Sites’ to ‘Glamping Experiences’: This is a global challenge of the sector, in my view; the challenge of creating a whole package of glamping which harmoniously combines both tangible and intangible elements.

governments and industry bodies on the tangible potential of glamping to be a catalyst for tourism growth. We have more research and resources available than many would-be site owners who simply want to create their dream and welcome guests. It is a process that cannot be rushed however and always has to be done correctly.

From this perspective, glamping is not a form of accomodation but a form of vacation-making, an attitude, a habit. This goes way beyond luxury accommodation to actually building holistic experiences that resonate with each target audience. It is exactly this ‘strategic marketing’ perspective I am trying to enlighten my clients on. It is the ability to rightly forecast the needs of the specific segments you target, position your strategy around them and accordingly build a multi-layered service offering. I think it is this ‘strategic awareness’ that will push ahead some glamping operators who are attuned to building experiences and not just sites. This will also go a long way to further diversify the market into new areas of growth potential.

THE LOST EXECUTIVE: SO, WITH THIS IN MIND, WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR THE INDUSTRY TO IMPROVE THINGS OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS? Emma: Continuing on my opinion about the nascent glamping markets, such as the ones of the South European countries, I think there are things that could be done.

Adding Glamping to a National Tourism Strategy: Once glamping receives the attention it deserves at government level, the ideal situation for the sector’s growth would be for each local market to build a Glamping Roadmap. This would include precisely how Glamping integrates within the wider national tourism strategy and would highlight opportunities for tourism income generation and growth.

THE LOST EXECUTIVE: THE INDUSTRY IS GROWING FAST, HOW IS YOUR BUSINESS FUTURE-PROOFING ITSELF TO STAY RELEVANT AND CONTINUE MEETING THESE CHALLENGES?

Getting the locals on the Glamping side: It requires a joint effort from planning authorities and private operators to elicit the support of the local communities. It is my firm belief as a consultant, that local communities are co-creators of the holistic glamping experience. Hence, their contribution and enthusiasm is paramount. For this to happen, the challenge is to make it clear how they will benefit from the incoming glampers in the short-term and how glamping can be a long term catalyst for their local tourism sector.

Emma: As consultants to the glamping sector, we should be committed to thinking globally and acting locally. We should see across each local glamping market and detect the best practices and adapt them to what is feasible and optimal for the region we operate in.

Concurrently, we should be strategic advisors not only to our private clients but also to the designated authorities and policy-makers that regulate glamping. Collectively, we should voice our client’s concerns and through concrete recommendations act as catalysts for national and regional growth. In our client-facing capacity, I don’t think our role should be restricted to resolving barriers but to represent the ‘big picture’ and enhance their spectrum of possibilities.

Not going over the limits: For authorities, this means ensuring the incentivisation of the glamping Industry has not prompted the over exploitation of natural resources between others and uncontrollable development that cannot be thoroughly audited and regulated by the designated bodies. My research indicates that barriers to enter in the sector should be neither too high, as they are now, nor too low. We want to avoid congestion, which would make it harder for small scale operators to compete. It could also potentially provoke the dissatisfaction of other interest groups (such as local hotel owners and camping sites), while also putting further burden on authorities. The right balance should be struck at the regulation stage.

We are the ones that put together all the varying pieces of the glamping investment and strategy journey after all. We should be able to adopt a multiple-stakeholder approach, think as policymakers, strategists, marketers and ultimately as the end traveller and consumer of the glamping experience.

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THE LOST EXECUTIVE: GLAMPING IS AN INDUSTRY THAT INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS. HOW WOULD BREXIT AFFECT YOUR BUSINESS?

delaying or cancelling the holiday-making decision in the face of uncertainty, topped by all the logistical difficulties regarding international travel that will adversely affect tourism, and thus UK glamping.

Emma: The effects of Brexit will not leave the glamping industry untouched. On the contrary, I think they will have a major impact on it. In order to be able to foreshadow the extent of this impact, I would like to split the forces into two categories: the macroeconomic forces that will affect the UK Tourism Industry all together and the consumer forces specifically geared towards the glamping holiday-making decision.

However, I want to turn your attention to those forces that may render the glamping industry pretty well insulated against these risks. Firstly, operators should ask themselves how dependent they are realistically on imported supplies and ask themselves Who are our main suppliers? The UK Glamping market as a whole seems pretty selfsufficient, probably one of the few UK industries that is truly domestic.

Overall, my contention is that the positive effect will either cancel out or dominate the negative, provided the industry turns the Brexit risk into an opportunity.

To put it simply, if an operator wishes to do so, they can source pretty much all of their glampingrelevant supplies domestically, from advisory services to glamping structures. Just look at the Glamping Show, in which the majority are UKbased exhibitors with great variety and quality to cover operator needs. Now, the effect on the suppliers themselves is a different question.

Export-oriented suppliers might find it way more complex to internationalise and reach out to overseas glamping clients. However, with the exchange rate falling, their products might get more competitive and hence also more affordable.

The gloomy scenarios about the effect of Brexit on UK domestic glamping operators are sadly justified. These uncertainties include fears about the economy affecting or altogether postponing the glamping investment decision, shrinking of the UK’s disposable income and loss of confidence reducing entrepreneurial appetite. Then there are concerns about international cooperation with global suppliers getting harder and more expensive, UK target audiences potentially

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The direction of the exchange rate will play a major role in the glamping consumer decisionmaking journey too. A big chunk of the UK tourism industry is export-focused, with travel and hospitality products being primarily consumed by international travellers. Nonetheless, the UK glamping market is a very staycation-focused one.

Operators should consider, What is my primary customer segment and who are my main glampers? With regards to international visitors to the UK market a weaker pound does make it attractive to go glamping there, even for those who could not afford it before. The tight correlation between a weaker currency and the rise of incoming travel is well documented in countries like Turkey. The higher purchasing power of international travellers vacationing in Turkey overrode even the uncertainty around their domestic socio-political crisis. Affecting in its passage even surrounding countries such as Greece which saw a decline in inbound travel when the Turkish lira plummeted.

EMMA BIO

Let’s turn to Brits now. Brexit might make the UK holiday-makers life harder, but these barriers could push them to substitute international travel with staycations. Here is where the opportunity lies for the UK glamping sector: being ready to accommodate and lure in these segments with adequate holiday packages, tailored to their newly emerging needs. Local operators should be positioned to ‘pull’ the new-staycationers on their side by providing them with an equally attractive alternative to international travel.

Emma is a Strategic Marketing Consultant for Glamping & Alternative Tourism operators, while holding experience in Glamping policy-making with governmental and industry-level entities. She is an Economist & Marketer, ex-Googler & graduate of The London School of Economics, where she completed the first academic study on Glamping Consumer Behaviour globally. She is Londonbased, awarded for her Glamping work in the Mediterranenan (Tourism Awards 2019, Greece), helping the niche’s growth in Europe, Australia & LATAM. (www.glamping.expert)

Without wishing to undermine the wider (and my own) grave concerns about the effect of Brexit on our industry, I do feel we are better positioned to face it compared to even other travel niches within UK tourism. Nonetheless, such a considerably more optimistic approach necessitates a change of mindset on the UK Glamping operators’ side.

Paradoxically, even economic forces against the UK economy as a whole, might constitute opportunities for the glamping sector. Could it be that Brexit will be the occasion to leverage the industry’s potential as a catalyst of growth for UK national tourism? It will all depend on the extent of the aforementioned parameters and, most importantly, the willingness and readiness of operators to attract the new glampers, who would not be glamping in the UK if it wasn’t for Brexit!

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EXCLUSIVE TENTS The only place to be is in the thick of it Irrespective of whether a destination is a glamping site, a hotel or a resort, innovation in hospitality is often reliant on the pioneering spirit of the suppliers. It is a cycle of challenge and solution.

This dance of supplier and customer is the engine that produces the marvellous and out-of-thisworld destinations that enthrals, and delights travellers like us.

Not only one of the leading suppliers of safari tents globally, but also one of the most trusted, Exclusive Tents are often found wherever there is a new idea or a “never done before” project. With Founder Paul Zway often standing right in the middle of it in his khaki shorts.

Paul, who is a self -confessed weather junky, explains that he always has a satellite weather window open on his computer to keep aware of what is taking place. So, he was aware of the weather that Cambodia was having at the time but not the severity of what was taking place on the ground. In fact, it wasn’t until the next day that he received a message from Valentin telling that he and his family were safe.

Featured several times already by The Logbook, Paul has always enjoyed being in the thick of it, whether it was his seventeen years working as an anti-poacher in deepest Africa or his twenty odd years producing the most incredible tented projects. He is in every way an all-or-nothing kind of guy and this counts for a great deal for his customers and clients, or as he would refer to them, his friends.

“The lodge had survived inclement weather for years without any problems,” Paul reveals, “But this was an out of the ordinary flood and when it struck early in the morning Valentin’s wife and kids and some staff were on the lodge.”

4 RIVERS 4 Rivers is a floating lodge resort in Cambodia, that Paul and his team have worked with for roughly ten years. Being the first floating lodge and floating glamping site in the world, 4 Rivers is owned by Valentin Pawlik who built the lodge from scratch. Valentin has worked hand in hand with Paul to create a resort that stands as a testament to ambition, pioneering and friendships.

It was a matter of life and death and it was the local villagers who got into their boats and braved the water to go and help rescue the people off lodge. Then they had to abandon the lodge until the waters had died down.

“Valentin literally had to watch the business he had built largely with his own hands get swept away down a river,” Paul relates.

“It is a two way street,” Paul admits, “That is how friendships work, Valentin and I have worked together for over a decade and I learn as much from him as he does from me.”

Once the waters had died down, they then had to track down the lodge and luckily it had been caught on the bank further down the river and had not been dragged out to the ocean, but it was completely wrecked.

Customer relations is easy when things are going well, but a relationship’s strength is tested the most when things go wrong. This was the case just over a year ago when 4 Rivers Floating Lodge was struck by one of the area’s worst floods in recent history.

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repair work had to be done for the tents and the furniture inside. What followed was a process of engineering genius as Valentin manufactured his own replacement parts for the steel frames and recruited a sail maker who came in to do the best stitching repair work ever seen, or not seen as it were.

“We supplied them with various replacement tent parts and the smaller component parts such as eyelets, punches and zippers,” Paul says, “We stayed in regular contact offering advice where it was needed and generally just making sure that things were going the way he wanted.”

“To his credit,” Paul says, “Despite seeing the wreckage he didn’t think for a second of giving up.”

During this period, Paul also took to task to make sure that people knew that Four Rivers Floating Lodge was reopening. Sharing this story of triumph and doing his bit to help market and encourage the regrowth.

Instead, he called Paul and they began making plans. For those who know the pair this sort of “get busy” attitude is a characteristic that they share.

Paul told him to assess the damage first and to let him know what Exclusive Tents could do to help.

THE RESULT 4 Rivers Floating Lodge is now opened again and benefits from all the hard lessons learnt. 4 Rivers is now much stronger, safer and ready for guests to enjoy the tranquillity that this experiential destination offers. Valentin has developed and manufactured the new floating lodge which is now tethered to the island where the water has

THE ADVANTAGE OF REBUILDING According to Paul, Valentin has been an absolute inspiration during the period of rebuilding. Despite the insurance money and compensation that he was due not being received and having to pull themselves back to their feet with next to no budget, he took complete control of the lodge’s rebuilding and set himself the task of applying all the lessons that this tragedy had taught him.

“As Four Rivers was one of the first floating lodges, Valentin didn’t have anyone to turn to for advice on repairing nor could afford to pay any professional consultants,” Paul explains, “He started off having to be a one-person expert out of necessity and found himself having to do the same thing over again.”

They salvaged what they could and fortunately had some new tents in storage that they could erect. The original platforms had done the job very well but some were seriously damaged but with lessons learned, Valentin came up with a floating concrete concept which would be way more stable a platform. He designed them and then made the new platforms which have made a huge difference and created more versatility to the floating concept. A great amount of the

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THE FLOATING LODGE CONCEPT

less velocity. Also, he used to run power from the island through the river, that has changed and been redesigned to be more practical. He has also evolved his platforms from hollow vessels to floating concrete platforms and he has figured out how to do it on his own.

In locations with sensitive eco systems, such as jungle islands the floating lodge concept allows the creation of a hospitality destination that doesn’t leave any footprint. This has always been something that Paul has favoured, his tents after all offer permanent structures that can be easily moved and re-erected somewhere else.

Now, easily one of the most experienced and skilled engineers in the realm of floating lodges, Paul has brought in Valentin as a consultant for a project in the Maldives where a floating lodge concept has been put forward.

The idea of a lodge floating on a concrete platform, anchored to the floor of a river bed or the protected ocean floor also produces many other benefits than just bringing the guest closer to nature in a unique environment. For islands it means that the island can remain practically untouched, opening up more opportunity for engaging and educational tours on the land itself.

Also, a floating lodge with an anchor would create natural shade and becomes a haven for marine life and if the lodge wanted to expand it could do so without damaging or disrupting this ecological benefit.

“You cannot put a price on the experience he has in this field,” Paul says, “On all sides of it.”

He adds, “What Valentin has told me about this experience has been a learning curve. I’ve learnt enough about it to talk about the floating lodge concept which many people are getting excited about.”

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According to Paul, it creates a far more dramatic connection with your environment.

“Let’s say that you create an opening in the platform, you close that up with glass, then you set the tent up over that and you get a direct view into the ocean,” he says.

Another example of the greatest advantage for ROI, would be, if you have a small island with maximum space for ten tents. By using a floating lodge system, assuming that it works with the coastline and the currents, you can double the capacity on a floating lodge, so instead of getting a return on ten tents you can get forty etc.

Paul explains that to pull off such projects, like the one that is planned in the Maldives, it takes knowing which suppliers to rely on to handle the logistics.

“In French Polynesia and the Maldives, you get these concepts on stilts because it offers guests a different feeling, however it is still a hotel, just on stilts,” Paul says, “But experientially a floating lodge is different to everything else out there. You could even do it on lakes, shallow coastal locations and of course rivers.”

As an example, the question of dealing with waste material is an obvious one that keeps bobbing to the surface.

“You have to consider these things at the planning stages,” he says, “And I already work with a manufacturer in the UK who specialises in containerised sanitation and we’ve been speaking about how he could integrate his system into a floating platform.”

Then, if you want to move the lodge you can tow the entire hotel to a new area.

Paul goes on to point out that water is not an asset that has been used for building and there is always a distance between guest and water. This concept narrows that gap more than ever before.

Paul goes on to explain that his supplier’s system produces grey water from waste which is clean enough to be purified into potable drinking water.

This is useful if the lodge is on a remote island away from a natural water source. Or if necessary, it can be released safely back into the ocean.

“We are going to see more of this, the concept is picking up,” Paul says, “And it is only fair to say that Valentin is very much the pioneer responsible.”

Exclusive Tents International Ltd WEBSITE: www.exclusivetents.com

THE ROI FOR INVESTORS

TELEPHONE: 1-520-261-4634

Whether you’re a hospitality investor or just a traveller, the concept of a floating lodge and the obvious benefits in today’s ecoengineering conscious environment should get you very excited. For those seeking a calculable ROI there are other important things to consider.

Firstly, staying in a tent is sexy. You’re protected from the elements but in direct contact with nature so whatever is in the environment, be it grass lands or trees, or water, you’re going to feel involved in all of it. Put that on water and you have another element that enhances that feeling. You get all the sounds, sensations and movement.

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GLAMPSAN The ‘Flattest’ Tanks available for waste storage and collection Eliminating this fear by providing robustly tested products that have endured some of the most peculiar challenges that glamping has thrown at them, is what Glampsan does.

THE RANGE Glampsan specialises foremost in the provision of tanks from 160 to 1000-gallons and more, both for above and below ground. They also provide a range of complementary products and these include sewage lifting stations, waste pumps, rainwater harvesting tanks, sewage treatment plants, septic tanks and water pressurisation and pumping solutions.

Regular exhibitors at the annual Glamping Show, Glampsan is a leading UK manufacturer of plastic tanks for the capture and holding of toilet waste from outdoor structures. While this includes toilet blocks and site welfare facilities, it is the company’s involvement in the glamping industry, especially glamping pods, shepherd huts and log cabins that is gaining a lot of attention.

Effectively they are a “one stop shop” opportunity for dealing with effluent waste that has proven very popular with glamping and hospitality site business owners seeking and straightforward waste sanitation solutions for their unique set up.

While glamping can be a very personal and bespoke enterprise, one of the challenges, where standards cannot be lowered, is how a site handles effluent waste. Not every site is able to lay down reliable sewage mains to and from the individual glamping units. So, one solution is to rely on waste collection tanks. Such collection tanks need to be completely reliable and also discrete as to not disrupt the “atmosphere” promised by glamping.

“One of our major product lines is the marketleading Flat Tank,” Jonathan says, “This is an above ground, flat, low-profile waste holding tank that is perfectly suited to the glamping environment. It is easy to use and durable with a low environmental impact. It can also be easily located under or nearby any glamping unit.”

We spoke with Glampsan’s General Manager, Jonathan Trelfa, regarding how his business has provided solutions to this essential and delicate matter.

THE MOST ROBUSTLY TESTED TANKS IN THE UNIVERSE (PROBABLY) The glamping industry is driven by unique experiences in unique locations. Every site is striving to offer something ‘bespoke and different’ that other sites do not.

“Our niche is operating in a particular area of hospitality that owners and hosts want to work efficiently, reliably and most importantly, discreetly in the background,” he says, “They are not looking for reviews on how good their waste management is, they’re looking instead for solutions that will mean it’s never mentioned at all.”

“At Glampsan,” Jonathan says, “We believe that the challenges site owners will be facing in the future in terms of their waste management infrastructure are only going to get more interesting and more complex. In no uncertain terms we are encouraging this, and perhaps even laying down a challenge with our innovative Flat Tank.”

Whether it is a five star hotel or a unique cliffsidetreehouse-glamping site there is never a time when an owner wants to hear that somethings gone wrong with this part of their business.

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Now on the fourth generation, Flat Tanks are ideal to meet the ever-changing needs of portable sanitation suppliers, caravanners, campers and glampers. They are a more reliable, easier-to-move and cost-effective alternative to old-fashioned steel waste tanks. Contrary to steel, this product will not corrode and will always appear fresh and hygienic. In addition, Jonathan says, “Our Flat Tanks feature inbuilt lifting handles, access hatches and ports, all of which are fully sealable against odours and spillage.”

Jonathan goes on to point out, “Considering that the Flat Tank originally started its life in the construction industry. Collecting waste from toilet blocks, showers and sinks for a high number of construction sites where no permanent sewage facilities are available, when we say it’s been ‘robustly’ tested… we really do mean it.”

THE LATEST PRODUCTS Flat Tanks are an effective and simple solution to dealing with effluent waste for start-up glamping sites and many hospitality venues too. Earlier, Jonathan talked about future needs becoming more complex, “One of the problems that glamping owners sometimes have to overcome is how to deal with and remove waste from glamping units located in remote fields. Sometimes perhaps a hundred metres or more from any vehicle access point and an additional problem, “ he adds, “Is how to deal with collecting and removing waste that has to go uphill. The solution to both of these problems is a lifting station.”

TUFFEST VS FLATTEST The big-brother company, Plastic Solutions (Aldridge) Ltd, supplies this sector in particular and here the tanks are appropriately known as Tuff Tanks. They’re similar products to those offered through the Glampsan division, but with subtly different applications.

Ultimately, whether you have a building site toilet or a glamping hut with an inbuilt toilet and shower, the same ‘waste product’ is produced and needs to be controlled and collected effectively.

Due to demand, they have recently added lifting stations which are plastic tank structures with in-built pumping units and a 240v electric supply to their range. This not only extends the usefulness of their products but enables them to offer a more sophisticated option for their glamping customers.

And, for glamping and hospitality there is the Flat Tank. This 500, 750 and 1000-gallon plastic effluent holding tank and its smaller counterpart, the Mini Tuff Tank (160 gallons) are constructed from robust and recyclable polyethylene and are easy to deliver and position.

Their flexible, low profile and lightweight design means they are ideally suited to the changing needs of the leisure sector. As sites grow and units are moved the Flat Tank can be easily transported with them without risk of damage, for example, when empty four men can easily move one.

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successfully today. The company was one of my favourite customers up to the point I left that industry in 2008. When the owners were looking to fill the GM role, they asked me to come along for a cup of coffee and a chat: I was looking to do something different at that time and it seemed like a very good fit for both sides.”

They started in 2010 and made steady progress until 2014 at which point, they developed a range of new products and brought in a focussed business and marketing plan. Since then they have tripled their turnover in the construction industry.

It was soon after that they recognized that there are a wide range of industries and sectors that

With regards to innovation, Jonathan continues, “Some of our glamping customers want to install environmentally sustainable composting toilets.

Whilst this option is not for everyone, they are growing in popularity and acceptance and we are able to supply composting toilets of the same reliability.”

FUTUREPROOFING Jonathan predicts that in the long term, the glamping industry will of course inevitably mature.

With it, even more sophisticated solutions will become more and more popular.

“For example, we think that more underground septic tanks and soak-away systems will be an obvious solution for maturing glamping sites,” he says, “For these sites another option could also be to invest in a complete mini sewage treatment system. However, these are substantial investments.”

could benefit from their services and products.

In 2017, as they were outgrowing their old site, they purchased new premises outright and after some essential refurbishment moved in early 2018. According to Jonathan their growth plans have also meant the laying on of extra production tooling to keep up with demand and the employment of further staff in sales and warehousing.

Long term, Glampsan will most likely add these to their product portfolio. But in the meantime, Jonathan believes that there is sufficient ‘growing room’ to supply their customers with simpler and hence more cost effective solutions.

Two years ago Jonathan started the Glampsan brand, which, as was already mentioned, is a division of Plastic Solutions. From 2019 the the Glampsan strategy has been to grow by making use of all available tools. This included heavy investment into the website as well as the development of a strong social media strategy.

LEADING BY EXPERIENCE Jonathan Trelfa is a veteran of the portable sanitation industry and has over 25 yearsexperience under his belt. He was the Managing Director of Europe for a toilet manufacturing company between 1991-2008, and from 20112014 was the MD for a manufacturer of ground and surface water monitoring equipment. It was March 2014 when he decided to take up the challenge of driving forward Plastic Solutions (Aldridge) Ltd.

On the technology front Plastic Solutions have invested heavily over the last year and a half in software to aid their sales and customer support staff. Jonathan explains that throughout his working life he’s always been agitated if a ringing phone wasn’t picked up within three rings. To make this possible he created tools and the environment so that their staff don’t get bogged down by too much cumbersome tech.

“I’ve known the business owners since I advised and helped them start their toilet rental business in 1994,” he says, “That business is still running

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THE REAL DEAL BEHIND GLAMPSAN Jonathan says, that even though they sell stacks of their Flat Tanks and ancillary products, what really defines both Glampsan and Plastic Solutions (Aldridge) Ltd is their focus on core service excellence for which they have become very well known.

“It takes four things,” he explains, “Our strong customer service, our complete understanding of the industry, excellent business ethics and always going the extra mile for our customers.”

Glamping guests are spending their hard-earned money to stay “off grid” but expect to have the same comforts as they would at home. Any site owner knows the value of hot and cold running water, a shower and working toilets. Also, they are acutely aware of how important it is that guests be completely oblivious to where things go afterwards.

“Glampsan may only cover a few of the solutions needed for the overall glamping experience,” Jonathan admits, “But, they are the most important parts and hosts are no doubt relieved that we apply ourselves fully to this job.”

COMPANY ADDRESS: Merchant’s Way, Aldridge, West Midlands WS9 8SW TELEPHONE: 0800 334 5742 +44 (0)1922 716725 WEBSITE: w ww.plasticsol.com www.glampsan.com EMAIL: sales@plasticsol.com info@glampsan.com

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NOMAD SHELTERS Living in a Round Founded in 1995 by Lee and Jess Tenhoff, Nomad

“It is the personal side of the business that keeps us going,” Jess says, “As well as having the reputation for being the leading yurt designers.

We love working with people and discussing their plans and dreams and doing our bit to shape them.”

Shelter is not only one of the most authentic yurt manufacturers, but one of the most authentic businesses in America. From living and working in their yurt to giving other people the opportunity to do the same, we spoke with co-founder Jess Tenhoff regarding their business.

“This has been a lifelong passion for us,” she says, “Lee and I moved into a yurt of our own design in 1987 and what started as a small family business now ships handcrafted yurts across the world for a variety of different uses and a range of different environments.”

As they are handmade from scratch, the creation of each yurt requires their full attention, experience and skill to create something that the client will fall in love with. As anyone who has worked with wood will tell you, there is a knowhow involved in creating such structures that counts for everything.

NOMAD SHELTER

“You don’t make wood do anything, you negotiate with it,” Jess says.

Even though Lee and Jess have been building yurts for over twenty years, they still have the capacity to look at every yurt they manufacture as a bespoke, stand-alone project. Overseeing each phase of design and construction they work closely with clients to personalize and individually craft each one.

YURT USES Over the last twenty years, Nomad Shelter have perfected the steps needed to create the perfect personalized nomadic abode. In recent years, thanks to the explosive popularity of glamping things have gotten very busy. With current and up-and-coming destinations vying to offer the

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“For the owner of the site it is a personal extension of themselves and for the guest it is an experience of that.”

This sentiment goes further than just the hospitality industry, as it is becoming ever more apparent that people do not need to invest in bricks and mortar as a home and that nomadic, standalone accommodations can be perfect for many different environments. coolest and most luxurious accommodation some businesses have abandoned their roots and turned to automation and commercialisation to capitalise on the demand. Lee and Jess have gone the other way and, instead, have focused even harder on the individual customer’s needs and desires.

“It is so important that people think outside the box to explore all the options,” Jess says, “And give themselves the chance to visualize what it is they want, and how living in a round home without walls could transform their relationship between them and their environment whether the yurt is for personal or commercial use.”

“No matter how big and diverse the hospitality industry becomes it is still a deeply personal thing,” Jess reveals,

FOR A BUSINESS Going well beyond merely accommodation for a glamping site, hotel group or safari, yurts offer a greater flexibility and uniqueness to any business.

If a business requires a versatile, cost effective

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and captivating structure, as many businesses do, the yurt presents a richly inviting and economical space.

“As it can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars depending on the size of the yurt, materials, location and builder.”

“Low impact designs, easy set-up and a range of sizes means that a yurt can provide an effective space be it for a hospitality purpose or to create an inviting and mesmerizing office space to work out of,” Jess says.

Yurts have an 8-16 week turn-around time and all yurts have a borough tax of $37.50.

LIVING IN THE ROUND There is such a security and calmness to be found in a yurt that this could explain why it is such a popular accommodation choice across so many different nations. And, while the detailed design and manufacture may differ from country to country depending on the materials available, the layout, that of a round accommodation without walls has proved to be popular throughout history.

And there is evidence to suggest psychological benefits of living in a round room instead of a walled-up compartment.

Ultimately, when you combine the yurt’s natural adaptability and Nomad Shelter’s willingness to work with each customer you come to a scenario where whatever can be imagined can probably be built.

WHAT CAN CLIENTS EXPECT? Jess says that taking the time to communicate with a client is an essential part of their process. Before Nomad Shelter begins working, they need to know exactly what the customer wants. Once design and manufacturing have taken place the yurt parts are assembled in their factory and can be shipped internationally to be assembled. With this in mind the stove and the yurt platform are not included in their service but a list of materials, a platform diagram and dimensions for the stove are provided as well as a setup manual and phone support.

“It is a genuine pleasure to be able to introduce people to the benefits of living in a yurt,” Jess says, “We wouldn’t have been doing it for two decades if we didn’t love it.”

“The yurt platform and not just the deck, should be factored into client’s overall budget,” Jess says,

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WHAT MAKES A YURT? The yurt is comprised of several different layers that make it the cosy, weather proof shelter that has served nomadic tribes in many different countries for centuries.

While the external appearance of a Nomad Shelter yurt is traditional, the manufacturing process uses modern materials that are built to last. This includes a Duro-last roofing membrane made of 40ml polyvinyl as the first layer of the cover. This is used over the entire yurt for the standard cost. The reason being is that it doesn’t mildew or degrade in sunlight or exposure and it is completely flame retardant.

are also layers thicker and a full foot wider on each size than any other design. These robustly engineered rings ensure the compression from the rafter connection translates into an incredibly strong roof, while also serving as a beautiful design feature.

Drafts and leaks are prevented with additional layers and the lattice which gives the yurt its shape is made of either white spruce or Douglas fir. This is held together with aluminium rivets with support columns and rafters to provide added strength for the larger tents. Strength and durability are very important.

What follows is insulation and Nomad Shelter only uses the insulation that they know works the best.

It includes reflectix double foil backed bubble wrap and this is lined with a polyester mildew and fireresistant fabric.

“The Nomad Shelter lattice is structurally engineered with this added dimensional strength to support the rafters,” she adds, “It can handle a great deal of snow and winds of up to 100 mph without the need of vertical supporting posts.”

“There are many people in Alaska living with the Nomad Shelter liner as insulation for their primary residences,” Jess points out, “We use it in our own residents in Homer, Alaska.”

Rafters have wooden connections to the central compression ring which are designed to insert in directly for extra strength. As there are no pin connections there is no torsion or twist in the frame. Nomad Shelter central compression rings

WEBSITE: www.nomadshelter.com TELEPHONE: 001 907-235-0132

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OUTSTANDING TENT Trust, Cooperation, Responsibility and Teamwork.

can make sure you have a relevant and reliable product of the highest quality to fill those gaps in the market.”

A tent supplier that has been identified as one of the most forward thinking and innovative in the industry despite being such a young company, Outstanding Tent is poised to enter 2020 at a full-on sprint. We caught up with co-founder Robin Van Kooten to discuss what is being pitched for the upcoming year.

THE NEWEST DEVELOPMENTS

As readers may recall from our previous focus on Outstanding Tent in our April 2019 edition, the company is based in Netherlands and was launched in 2014. With over 400% growth within the first year and 100% growth on every consecutive year since, it’s very clear that they have entered their market with just the right product at the right time.

In terms of new developments for the new year, there are quite a lot of things that are happening.

Robin explains that on a product level they have just finished the last details on a brand new interior line and are in the middle of launching their insulated thermo tents. They have also been expanding their services as well as working closely with their international agents who have been instrumental in growing their reach from their base in Netherlands to the rest of the world.

“Timing does play a large part in this business,” Robin says, “However, the glamping industry is still growing and moving so fast that it is even more important to identify the needs or the holes in an industry as early as possible. That way you

“They know their local camping and glamping market best and therefor can be of better service to our customers,” he says, “We have advisors in multiple countries, and from now on we even have an agent in Japan and one in the USA.”

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“We wanted to offer a second interior style that was different, innovative and exclusive,” Robin says, “That’s why we launched our new Glamping Chic line which offers a wide range of exclusive and luxurious furniture to match our exclusive and luxurious tents.”

The company have worked hard on this new line for the past half year and it’s exclusively developed by professional interior designers. The intention is to give luxury camping a whole new dimension.

“Glamping equals luxury,” Robin says, “But we had to ask ourselves ‘how to translate the comfort of a sofa back home into your glamping?’ Our Glamping Chic range gives guests the sense they are staying at a luxury hotel, combined with the camping feeling of glamping.”

Robin reveals that in September 2019 they went to a trade show in Tokyo and over October 22nd and 23rd they will be attending the Glamping Summit in the USA. So, it is clear that there is a lot going on at the moment. He goes on to add that this forms part of his strategy for growth as glamping continues to grow in popularity and innovation is more important than ever.

“To make sure we can offer our customers the diversification they need, we need to know exactly what’s happening and be able to take swift action,” he says, “Fortunately we have enough enthusiasm and energy in the whole team, to stay ahead of most needs and developments!”

Innovation comes in many forms and one example is their Outstanding trucks which have been launched and are now delivering their product.

Custom designed for their task they’ve enabled them to make some of their shipments all the more personal and outstanding.

Anyone, site owner or guest, can appreciate the allure of combining a wonderfully designed bathroom, a luxury kitchen with all the mod-cons to prepare a delicious meal with the ambience of being surrounded by a canvas tent. If you’ve ever enjoyed a good meal while camping, you’ll be able to imagine why this would appeal so strongly.

ONGOING INNOVATION While often the bigger innovations do steal the limelight, Robin points out that his company is always thinking and creating, and these big innovations are reliant on the smaller ones.

The Glamping Chic line offers two styles: Stockholm and Paris to suit all tastes. Stockholm equals Scandinavian beauty and is characterized by its minimalist, often white details. Paris, on the other hand, lives up to its name and bustles with full-on activity that’s absolutely gorgeous, stylish and chic.

“It’s an attitude of change and improvement,” he says, “That drive of always seeing how we can improve and change. That is what propels a company like ours.”

NEW INTERIORS

NEW INSULATED THERMO TENTS

In recent years Outstanding Tent focused on developments within their current range of safari tents and scaffolding wood furniture. These were all great developments, but now is the time to really make a difference.

Robin believes in listening to clients and always taking comments seriously. For example, in 2018 they heard that their tents were not as good in cold environments.

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That triggered them to find a solution, and the new insulated thermo tents seem to have found the balance between functionality and aesthetic appeal. While some of the design has had to change, what the new line of tents offers is a nice temperature without exaggerating heating.

Allowing their customers to extend their season and therefore get more sales and returns from their accommodation.

The thermo tents are not yet available in the UK market. Robin reveals that in the UK the regulations are quite strict when it comes to safety and the use of fire-retardant fabrics and materials.

Therefore they have all their safari tents and lodges available in Campshield as well. This cloth is mainly made of TenCate fabric, same as their regular tent cloth, but Campshield has flameretardant properties. The fibres in this material offer additional security and protection which are a requirement in the UK Market.

The tents still maintain the adventurous outdoor and recognizable Outstanding look, by using wooden frames and roofing. All models are based on some of Outstanding’s most popular safari tents such as The Safari Tent Wood, The Safari Tent Compact and The Safari Cottage.

“We will be rolling out our insulated thermo tents in the UK as soon as we are able,” Robin assures, “But until then, we can provide our Campshield safari tents and lodges for those who are in more of a hurry.”

Robin explains that some of the limitations were down to fabric and not being able to find a way to make it as insulated as they wanted. With tent cloth they encountered a number of disadvantages such as mould formation and ultimately higher costs. Therefor they decided to work with strong insulated panels instead, which actually opened up some new design possibilities.

LESSONS LEARNT Innovation and learning go hand in hand, often with the best lessons being learnt from the most disappointing trials. But according to Robin his team are convinced that you learn best by trying, doing, listening, failing and doing it again.

“We have been growing like crazy and have developed and expanded our assortment in multiple ways year after year,” he says, “Obviously with ups and downs, but that didn’t stop us. It only made us stronger, better and smarter. No pain, no gain, right? Everybody in our team has the same mentality.”

“A big difference of the thermo tents is the glass front which helps us maintain a relationship between comfort and experiencing nature,” Robin says.

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The other important lesson which hasn’t so much been learnt recently as reinforced is the value of staying small while growing big. As a team they are very selective of who they bring on board and even when it comes to collaborations, they always try to find a partner with the same mindset.

day, with a suitcase filled with end couplings to go and fix the problem personally.

“It’s not enough to tell your customers that you are willing to go the extra mile, if when the need arises you don’t do it,” Robin says, “After all we are not “Moderately Good Tents”, we’re Outstanding. That counts for a lot.”

“This approach isn’t only best for our customers,” Robin says, “But it also makes sure the working pleasure and enthusiasm remains high for the whole team.”

WEBSITE: www.outstandingtent.com TELEPHONE: +31 (0) 318 575 056 EMAIL: info@outstandingtent.com

THE TEAM Robin appreciates the value of every staff member and the importance of developing teamwork and comradery. They have a team of 20 people working in the office and as international agents and a further four teams as set up crews. The challenge is how to bring them all together to understand what they do as a business.

Fortunately, he knows exactly how to get his team immersed.

“At the end of August we all went to Norway to visit Dyreparken who are one of our dear customers,” he says, “Here we’ve built thirty safari tents, some even at four or five metres tall and overlooking the water. Glamping is an experience and the best way to pass that on is to make sure that every member of our team experiences the charm of glamping.”

THEIR GUARANTEE The other aspect that has singled Outstanding Tent in the modern market where so many firsttime investors are taking a financial risk to secure their “uniqueness” in the industry, is that they offer 100% satisfaction guarantee.

In our previous article, we covered how even in the early days of the business if a customer was not completely satisfied with their tents they would be replaced, or the customer refunded. However, this guarantee does extend to going the extra mile.

Robin shared a story that last year a customer received the wrong end-fittings and therefor couldn’t continue building his safari tent. This was human error on their part so the search for the quickest solution began. Unfortunately, they were unable to ship the new parts to him within the timeframe needed, so one of the directors and a co-owner of Outstanding, got on a plane that same

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ANTHROPODS Cleverly spacious and comfortable.

Glamping evolution at its finest.

Rik is a Chartered Industrial Engineer and studied at Coventry University before moving to Holland.

A consummate polymath, prior to founding Anthropods he co-founded a successful digital token-less authentication company known as Swivel Secure Ltd, of which he is the CEO. As if having a high level of business acumen is not enough, he also speaks Dutch, plays the mandolin and when he was younger had aspirations of becoming an RAF pilot. Clearly a man able to deal with high ideas.

Glamping is one of the fastest evolving industries in the world and each year sites across the UK have to consider the upgrades that will help them remain competitive. Not only in terms of customer service but uniqueness and comfort as well.

This has made glamping site owners some of the shrewdest business people in hospitality. With their eyes on the suppliers with the best deals and manufacturers keen to produce the latest and most exciting products, there is a tangible excitement in glamping for original ideas.

“While I founded the business, I was later joined

by Douglas Adamson who took the role as Anthropods Executive Chairman,” Rik tells us, “Douglas’ roots are in communications and he runs a number of successful marketing and advertising companies.”

ANTHROPODS. AN ORIGINAL IDEA. Anthropods are the brainchild of Rik Currie and are stylish, reliable and safe. These are, of course, important aspects in today’s safety-obsessed culture. Glamping as a whole has had to come to terms with this and the fact that as creative as you want to get with your accommodation, it has to be safe. And you cannot get a higher level of safety and reliability than from a man who designed trains for Nederelandse Spoorwegen.

Douglas also brought a wealth of experience of the glamping sector as he has been actively involved in it through his Chairmanship of a conservation charity in the Yorkshire Dales. He is also Chairman of Settle Stories which is an arts-based charity in Settle.

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“Like all good ideas, Anthropods germinated for a number of years and was in development since December 2017,” Rik says, “However it officially launched

ground, raked hillsides and up to five metres in the air,” Rik says, “Ground work is kept to minimum and the pods are easily re-locatable on site. Which cuts down the wear and tear of the location. They are also suited for hot and cold environments, ticking an important box for sites wishing to open 12 months of a year.”

the following year in September 2018 at The Glamping Show. This was a perfect platform for the launch and resulted in tremendous results and immediate interest.”

WHAT MAKES ANTHROPODS DIFFERENT? It is well-established that glamping relies on unique locations that can combine rustic areas and unique scenery with comfort, luxury and privacy.

By making flexible use of space and with each pod including a range of quality fit-out options that suit a range of markets, Anthropods meets these criteria and has the potential to go beyond glamorous camping.

BUSINESS EVOLUTION All businesses evolve with the shifting trends and tastes of clients but Anthropods’ evolution over the last year has been unique and representative of two things. Firstly, the pace at which the glamping market is ready to develop given the opportunity, and secondly the readiness of the business to provide said opportunities.

Rik explains that by combining a creative flair with sound design principles, Anthropods addresses the needs of luxury glamping, camping and additional hotel space.

“Clients want to impress their guests,” Rik says, “And we’ve been asked for all kinds of designs for both businesses and individuals. Including pods stacked on top of pods, pods linked with glass walkways and pods in some very unique locations and it’s been a challenge to see how we can make them work. The important thing, as a manufacturer is to turn the beautifully crazy ideas of our clients into functional reality.”

They have also been building up their network of suppliers, agents, contractors and relationships with the media too.

“The key is the adaptability of Anthropods,” he says, explaining further that the Anthropods are easily customizable and can provide multiple levels of accommodation. For example, it can be used as a work-friendly home office or even a utilitarian base in disaster relief environments or military theatres of operations.

“The Pod’s flexibility goes even further as the unique leg configurations, which are a registered design, makes Anthropods stable on uneven

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“It’s been a constant evolution,” he says, “And it is ongoing. To offer the best to our clients we have to work with the best businesses. We also have to constantly be expanding our horizons and pushing our own ambitions.”

make the Anthropods work. Furthermore, their graphic design, web design and communications teams are built of people that they’ve either worked with in the past, or family connections.

“A few of our Angel investors are entrepreneurial friends who have bought shares in the business,” Rik reveals, “They’ve heard us talking about Anthropods and wanted to support the venture.

Ultimately, we want to work with people who are as invested in this business as we are and committed to making it a long-term success.”

They realized fairly early on that there’s a huge appetite for contemporary structures such as Anthropods, outside of the UK. Duly, they’ve cast their gaze a little wider than was originally intended in the early days. Rik is happy with these sorts of developments however as he knows the value of updating business plans and keeping ideas on the boil.

THE PEOPLE VALUE Relationships have proven to be paramount for growing Anthropods. Rik explains that word of mouth and recommendations are the foundation of any SME and that it’s so important to be aware of the impact a great relationship can have.

“Having the right relationship with the right person can literally change the trajectory of a business overnight,” Rik says.

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PRODUCT

He also reveals that there is a really interesting community of people and like-minded businesses out there who are willing to help start-ups hit those all-important initial targets.

Rik and Douglas know the value of enthusiastic talent and from an engineering and construction perspective they work with a significant number of talented individuals and companies. Some of these include the likes of Lesko Modular Group Ltd, based in Peterborough, which supplements the output of Anthropods’ factory in North Yorkshire, Taplanes which supplies the wet rooms/bathrooms and Create CNC who undertake all of their profile cutting.

“However, from a more extrinsic point of view, it’s our intention to work closely and continue building relationships with content creators and media houses such as The Lost Executive, the wider media landscape and of course organizations at a grassroots level like the CLA.” Rik adds.

As with any start-up, it takes a village of people to get things off the ground. Rik reveals that through its early days to now, Anthropods has had support from both family and friends in the form of moral encouragement and day-to-day operations. Rik’s Dad, who is now in his 80s, was an engineer himself and has been instrumental in helping to stress test ideas and thinking up ways in which to

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“We are being constantly asked for linked-pods and we have designed one in which 12 pods are strung together on a raised platform with common gangways to each pod.”

“For example, Taplanes went the extra mile to get our integrated wet room unit that included a toilet, basin and shower, ready for the Glamping Show,” Rik says, “And our manufacturing partners Lesko Leisure and Camping shared space with us at the influential Holiday Park and Resort Innovation Show at the NEC. This helped us be financially savvy during what could have been an expensive weekend.”

KEEPING AHEAD

INSPIRATION

Rik is no stranger to the demands of a competitive market and as a team they all make a concerted effort to spend time engaging with peers and authorities in the market via Instagram and other social platforms.

Rik’s background as an engineer heavily influenced his vision for Anthropods. He saw a gap in the market for a micro-dwelling and an opportunity to create a flexible living space which was sustainable.

The Pod is made (where possible) using sustainable materials. This includes such things as Western Red Cedar wood for their exteriors which require no maintenance and is naturally insect repellent, recycled polypropylene is used for the bathroom units and recycled plastic bottles make a highly efficient insulation material.

“Social media is the best way to see at a glance what’s going on in the world and to take the temperature in terms of what our audience is responding to,” he says in recommendation.

“We also read a number of blogs, magazines and sites such as The Logbook as well as follow glamping and modular building publications and design innovation media. We of course monitor competitive activity, particularly from abroad.”

2019 So far, the best received Anthropod was the aptly titled Daddy Long Legs which stands at five metres and offers a very boutique accommodation that inspires as well as impresses.

LISTENING TO CLIENTS Following consumer feedback there have been 80 minor modifications and improvements introduced to the pods and they are already designing Anthropods that can be more easily transported into export markets via containers. Additionally, they are looking at different market sectors like hotel accommodation space and education and corporate hospitality. Rik explains there are also a few big markets that are ripe to be tapped into within the hire sector for festivals and sporting events.

While more of these sorts of products are going to be designed over 2019, a primary focus is on marketing and distribution strength.

“We are setting up a series of agencies and distribution deals in Europe, Indonesia and other overseas markets,” Rik reveals, “Concurrently we are streamlining our manufacturing capabilities to ensure that our efficiency continues to improve ahead of our growth.”

PRICE: From £40,000 for a single 5.3 metre pod COMPANY ADDRESS: Anthropods & Co Ltd, Floor 3, Regal Chambers, 22A Oxford Street, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 1PU TELEPHONE: 07860 420 763 or 07779 038 889 EMAIL: info@anthropods.co.uk

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You are running out of time to see the world

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REVIEW

EBONY HOME Heather Black is a busy mom of four who has a lifelong obsession for interior design and home décor. This passion for using her creativity and taste to help others piece together the perfect living spaces was finally directed into the online retail store Ebony Home, which launched on the 22nd July 2019.

and not being afraid to follow up to make sure that customers are completely happy with how things have turned out. She even goes so far as offering a full refund if they aren’t.

DELIVERY TIME While it really depends on the product and the supplier, most items are shipped within 3-5 days and the arrival time depends on the region they are being shipped to.

WHY ONLINE? According to Heather, the “dream” had always been to have a job that enabled her to do what she loves doing, but the vision had originally been a store filled with beautiful products and amazing displays.

2020 Heather always has new products with an inventory that is updated weekly and sometimes more often. Preferring to keep her selection fresh, she also keeps the must-have essentials in stock for returning customers.

However, at the time of this writing at least, she lives in a small town in a rural area where retail is extremely difficult and rent high. Also, there are greater advantages for having a business set up on a website which enables her to reach more customers and expand her presence. She has not ruled out the option of setting up a shop, but for the moment, an online store is the best way to go.

PRICE Generally, her prices are lower than the competitors and for the most part, the prices reflect the quality of the item. For example, a basic duvet set, and pillow cover can go for under $10, while she also has higher quality, handmade artisan pillow covers that run from $60-$70, and higher quality bedding for those who are looking for something a little more durable. Additionally, she has a wide variety of decor, accent furniture, wall art, kitchen and dining products, bath products, storage and organization, lighting, rugs and window treatments that range from about $4.99$349.00.

UNIQUE Interior design may be an artform seen by fewer people, but it is both scrutinised and appreciated deeper than some artwork from the Renaissance. Therefore, Heather knows that there is no substitute for quality, and she is constantly searching for unique, high quality products to sell in her shop. Seeking a wider variety of styles, from new and trendy to timeless classic.

WEBSITE: www.ebonyhome.com.co

On the same note she is also always looking out for dependable suppliers that offer quality products with reasonable prices that are easy and affordable to ship. Working with a range of clients from home owners to glamping site hosts, Ebony Home’s quality of service and product speaks for itself.

TELEPHONE: 001 435-469-0549 EMAIL: shopebonyhome@gmail.com

QUALITY SERVICE Customer service is essential for Heather, especially as her business is starting out. But she has taken this a step further by aiming for 100% satisfaction. This requires a lot of communication

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REVIEW

LODG’ING Glamping Tent Suppliers. France

the general maintenance of the product to ensure its longevity not only for Lodg’ing but the client as well.

Spurred on by the desire to develop an innovative tourism concept that focussed on glamping accommodation experiences, Simon Louvard founded Lodg’ing in March 2018. An individual creation this business was inspired by his experiences acquired during the last 10 years in the hotel and tourism industry in France and abroad including Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan and Southeast Asia.

Furthermore, beyond the tents Lodg’ing also offer on-site assistance such as customer reception, daily cleaning, security and other concierge services to support the guest’s overall experience.

In terms of capacity they can host up to 120 people comfortably in their tents in the same site and have provided event accommodation for a number of businesses and major events across France.

THE TEAM Lodg’ing is first and foremost a family business with Simon’s father being his business partner, and together the plan is to position itself as the number one pop up glamping hotel in France. Offering tailor-made services so that guests can gain an unforgettable accommodation experience near an event or in an exceptional natural setting.

THE TENTS Offering the highest quality, custom designed tents is just one part of the business and Simon explains that the maintenance of the equipment is the other. This includes disassembly and packaging, cleaning and repairing of the tents and

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SERVICES

ADVANTAGES

There are two main types of services available:

A quote by another innovator, Leonardo Da Vinci, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”, is one of Simon’s favourites. As such, their glamping tents are simple and very comfortable. Once set up and fully furnished in these exceptional natural places, they are unique and stunning. Also, there is always Lounge area installed nearby which is the ideal place to relax and interact with other people from different backgrounds.

“DESTINATION EVENTS” For a Destination focussed event, the nomadic Lodg’ing village is erected for a short time during cultural, sporting, or private events which could include weddings or corporate meetings.

For these events they offer bespoke services to organizers looking for an original and exclusive accommodation offer. This is particularly useful for event organisers that don’t have accommodation nearby to offer guests and want to offer an innovative solution that is complementary to the event and suitably impressive.

RELATIONSHIPS Relationships are very important, and Simon prefers to work with people, both customers and partners alike, on a relationship based on trust and respect. After all, he decided to work in hospitality and tourism because he loves working with people.

“NATURE DESTINATIONS” For these events, they offer stays (short or long) in the heart of a nomadic village that they create with their tents which includes all necessary infrastructure. To do this, they find exceptional natural locations (eg. https://www.lodg-ing.com/ destination- nature-luberon/) in order to partner with the land owner and create a special location for tourists seeking a nature product while enjoying high-end services.

2020 2020 will be a year to confirm the durability of their young company, with new services to come and the opportunity to properly consolidate their current position in the market. In the meantime, they are well worth a look for event organisers and site hosts.

PRICE: on website

According to Simon, in both situations, and more particularly the “Nature Destinations”, their aim is to offer clients a package-type solution, combining accommodation and discovery of the region.

TELEPHONE: +33 6 83 92 62 45 EMAIL: contact@lodg-ing.com WEBSITE: www.lodg-ing.com

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REVIEW

RESERVEERTEENTENT Netherlands Convenience is a big priority for Marijke who, despite operating the business mostly by herself is always available to her clients through WhatsApp, email or telephone. Part of her philosophy is having a face-to-face and first-name-basis approach to customer management and service. This requires being on call whenever she is needed.

Reserveerteentent was founded in 2018 by Marijke de Jong in the Netherlands. According to Marijke she had dreamt from a young age of owning her own campsite. However, the opportunity had never arose, so she decided to find an alternative that offered the same level of satisfaction but with greater advantages.

SET UP

Drawing on experience gained from working at campsites across Europe, including Norway, Sweden and The Netherlands, Marijke has set up a business that will no doubt stand her in good stead for a future in tourism and hospitality. Her business offers groups, individuals and families camping opportunities in glamping style tents at a range of sites across the Netherlands, especially at the campsite It Dreamlân in a little town of Friesland. www.itdreamlan.nl

Be it a new or regular customer, the process of booking and set up is straight forward and simple.

They contact Marijke and book one of her tents from the catalogue on her website, Marijke then makes the booking for the campsite and erects the tents so that they are ready for when the customer arrives. Then, once the customer is finished, she disassembles the tents and cleans up the site.

Campsites do book up quickly, so she does advise all of her customers to make a reservation early in the season if they have a particular place they want to visit. Of course, if this isn’t possible, there are a lot of great campsites around and Reserveerteentent’s flexibility in location does mean that camping in prime June, July and August is usually doable.

TENTS With her tents manufactured in Belgium, her available range includes Bell Tents and Tipis that can be set up at any desired campsite. There is very little waiting period and the tents are pitched and taken down on site for the guests by Marijke herself. This is to ensure not only that the tents are properly erected for the best stay and then disassembled safely, but also to save the guest the hassle of it all. It also means that the tents maintain their quality for longer.

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CUSTOMER SERVICE Marijke says the best form of advertising is word of mouth and it is very important to her that her guests have the best experience possible and this is where the convenience of Reserveertenentent shines. With guests and families being able to enjoy a hassle-free camping experience with a glamping edge.

PRICE: â‚Ź300 for a week exclusive the costs of the campsite. I reserve the campsite for the guests too.

TELEPHONE: +0031 613830571 EMAIL: info@reserveereentent.nl WEBSITE: reserveereentent.nl FACEBOOK: @reserveereentent.nl TWITTER: @reserveertent INSTAGRAM: @reserveereentent.nl

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REVIEW

CROWN AND CANOPY The Essential Glamping Business Manual

THE GLAMPING INDUSTRY

A fantastic guide on how to survive the fast paced glamping world. The Essential Glamping Business Manual was first published and sold to the public in summer 2018. However, it was originally commissioned and created earlier in the year for The National Trust as a ‘how to’ guide for their farm and estate managers across the UK who were interested in glamping as a viable opportunity.

To prepare each manual, each year Crown and Canopy undertake a serious round of market research, this included researching over 700 glamping sites in the UK. And, for their own interest they also researched the sister industries such as the holiday cottage industry and holiday parks industry. These two sectors are very similar by nature as they are engaged in hosting UK and international tourists and provide accommodation and related experiences. However, the main difference is that these industries have been established over many years in the UK and consequently have gone through a recent phase of re-investment in recent years.

According to co-author Edward Busby, a number of people were consulted whilst creating the manual. These included The National trust consultant involved in the project, Crown and Canopy’s own business advisor and the MD of Canopy and Stars prior to publishing.

Once it was published Davies & Co planning consultancy looked over and approved the planning section and of course their own partners and various glamping site owners that Edward and the team have worked with and know personally.

This investment has been to capitalise on the newfound trend of holidaying in the UK after many years of British tourists venturing into Europe rather than choosing to stay in the UK. The main

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difference is that unlike the holiday cottage and parks industries, the glamping industry is still really in its infancy.

It is believed there are under 4000 unique glamping sites in the UK, compared to the 365,000 caravan holiday homes and an estimated 55,000 holiday cottages. This makes it pretty clear how far the industry still has to grow.

Another telling element is the size of the agencies supporting these industries. If you look at the three largest holiday cottage agencies in the UK, they have over 10,000 properties on each of their books. If you compare this to the largest UK glamping agency Canopy and Stars, they have just over 700 units including their European portfolio.

this information and knowledge, the other intention is that it will drive growth as it informs people and enables them to commit to an idea that they already have. There’s a lot more to the book than FAQ’s though!

THE VALUE OF THE MANUAL Glamping site owners are traditionally hands on people, approaching the industry with the determination of creating something uniquely theirs. According to Edward that’s exactly who the manual was created for, it’s a complete guide from start to finish and is the perfect tool and handbook when developing your own successful sites and navigating every obstacle.

IMPORTANT REFERENCE MATERIAL

The aim of the manual is to cover all the unknown elements for landowners including turnover potential, design, planning and much more.

Enabling them to make informed decisions and to judge whether this form of diversification is right for them and has the income potential that they want to see from their land.

Also, Edward points out that it was the fact they had originally gone through the process of setting up their own sites and running them for six years that was the springboard that created the consultancy services and led them to creating the book for The National Trust.

The other objective of the manual is to enable its buyers to create high quality and unique sites that will be futureproofed and successful in an increasingly competitive marketplace. By providing

WHERE IS THE MANUAL AVAILABLE?

Edward explains that it now comprises nearly 70 pages covering every area you should need to know when developing a site from the outset to completion. It’s more like taking a full course in glamping than an FAQ system and the great thing is you can constantly refer back to it rather than a one-time experience.

You can purchase the manual on the Crown and Canopy website at: www.crownandcanopy.co.uk/ glamping-manual PRICE: There are two options available when purchasing the manual. You can pay £95 for the most recent edition oryou can pay £125 and subsequently receive each new edition when published for free.

TELEPHONE: 0044 (0) 7837162452 EMAIL: info@crownandcanopy.co.uk WEBSITE: www.crownandcanopy.co.uk

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Lemala presents an authentic collection of intimate tented camps, classic lodges and refined villas in Northern Tanzania. With properties in Arusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, we offer a fabulous safari experience throughout the famed Northern Circuit; a naturally splendid region of Tanzania and one of the most celebrated wildlife areas in Africa where the sheer concentration of game is simply phenomenal.

Our properties are located in isolated wildernesses and provide a superior level of comfort, style and service, whilst retaining a connection and respect to the natural environment.

Thanks to careful positioning in prime wildlife areas, our open game drive vehicles and professional guides, Lemala’s guests enjoy fantastic game viewing at any time of the year.

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GLAMPINGHUB.COM The journey from blog to leading industry website Listing everything from Mom and Pop enterprises to management company rentals, Glamping Hub is the world’s leading portal for unique outdoor accommodations across the globe.

Ruben explains that Glamping Hub started with David Troya from Sevilla Spain and himself, from Albuquerque New Mexico. Two friends who met in Spain years before.

With a reputation for offering one-of-a-kind accommodations and experiences and with over 30,000 accommodations in 120 countries, they are proving that there is a glamping site perfect for each and every traveller. As Co-Founder Ruben Martinez says, “It’s all about collecting memories, not things.”

While they both were obtaining MBAs, David at University of San Francisco and Ruben at Regis University in Colorado, David first heard the term glamping in one of his classes and knew this was something he wanted us to explore.

“After discussing the potential, we started putting together ideas and brought on another friend, and third Co-Founder, Talal Benjelloun,” he says, “Glamping Hub was built on the foundation of friendship, and some of the very first investors were close friends and family.”

BLOG SITE TO INDUSTRY MOVER For those bloggers with big dreams, it’s inspiring to know that Glamping Hub was founded in 2013, primarily as a blog. The following year it launched as a booking platform with 200 accommodations listed.

THE EARLY SITE In the early stages, Ruben explains that after they relaunched their blog into a booking platform, Glamping Hub was a listing service, where hosts would pay to have their glamping site listed.

Today what separates Glampinghub.com from other listing websites is that all represented accommodations must be unique in their offerings and structure, offer a-one-of-a-kind experience and hotel-quality comfort, as well as be located in the outdoors.

“Since then Glamping Hub has become fully transactional with a global focus,” Ruben says, “Working with growing markets in the industry that have great potential like Australia, New Zealand and Canada as well as others.”

“We work with hosts to curate and create handwritten listings that perfectly and accurately describe their site and offerings, and with guests to be able to have the experience of a lifetime at their desired glamping site,” Ruben says.

Right from the start relationships have been very important to Glamping Hub. Some of their hosts are very small business owners who have incredible pride for the businesses they have created. Pouring their hearts and souls and often their life savings into their properties, creating

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their businesses and getting them off the ground into a territory and industry that is still quite young and is not fully understood.

as a whole, travel and other peripherals. Reading the newspaper from front to back each night before bed is a ritual that he is committed to.

However, self-education aside, he admits that the biggest lessons often come from unexpected and painful sources.

The properties and their businesses are very personal to them, and for Glamping Hub it is very important to cultivate the relationships with these hosts and these small business owners because they are hopefully providing them with a stream of revenue that they may not otherwise receive.

“We really try to learn from past failures,” he says, “Things we thought were going to take off and do really well that did not. We also set up early indicators so that we go down a path that is really working. Sometimes pivoting away from the projects and ideas that are not working can be very painful and hard to do, but we strive to do a good job at keeping close to the data and understanding what is working. We make those tough decisions when we have to so we can focus on what comes next and part of what we did to future proof was to get in super early and be these early adapters.”

“This allows them to carry on their dream of having a successful business and site,” he says, “You cannot do this without having successful relationships, so it is very important for us to continue to build these relationships with the hosts on our site.”

A HUMAN COMPANY Glamping Hub is very much a human company, offering 24 hour 7 days a week support, so that when someone needs to contact them, they are provided with human interaction and assistance.

It is very important to Ruben and his co-founders that every individual with their own needs can come to them and have those needs met and supported.

A CULTURE OF LEARNING Ruben reveals that he keeps up to date by trying to read as much as possible. Consuming information on business, the glamping and hospitality industry

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2020

Even though they defied expectations by entering the glamping market super early and reaching their current position as a market leading voice of the industry, Ruben still believes they’ve scarcely scratched the surface.

Even with their global presence, Ruben says that they feel very excited about the potential of other global markets. They now have a fully functioning Spanish website, so are very excited about working with additional regions, languages and markets.

CHALLENGES SOCIALS

One of the main challenges Ruben reveals, is wearing all the hats. When you do not have a team of people that specialize in all of the departments, you really need to do everything all at once. In that challenge comes the challenge of staying focused on what matters and what is important.

Leveraging the strength of social media is something Ruben credits much of their success with. Creating and curating compelling content is an absolute priority, as it’s their objective to deliver what their audience loves to see and where they would like to stay. He says that being able to

“It is easy to get distracted and turn your attention to something else when something looks like it’s going well,” he says, “It becomes dangerous to focus on too many things at once.”

To overcome these sorts of negative mindsets, they have a very strong mentor network and are fortunate to work with extremely talented individuals. Thanks to this Ruben believes that as a business they’re are smart enough to know that they do not know everything, and that it is extremely beneficial to bring on those incredibly intelligent and smart individuals to help them overcome these big challenges.

“Because at the end of the day we cannot overcome these challenges on our own and need the help of our team to do so,” he says.

BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY You can’t be afraid to make waves or take a risk, Ruben says. For businesses to be successful in the long haul you cannot be doing what everybody else is doing. You have to reinvent, you have to innovate, you have to try new things, and more importantly, you have to fail.

“One of our business philosophies is having a high level of comfort with failure,” he says, “Not continuous failure but taking a risk and trying something new and if it fails being able to understand why and then move forward in the right direction, quickly.”

For long term business strategy if you are not innovating and taking risks or not hiring the right set of people and taking the time to set them up on the right course, then your strategy will fail.

Your business strategy has to be built on those principles.

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provide their audience and guests with real life glamping sites that are both bucket-list-worthy and attainable contributes to their core principles of being a human company and providing their guests with the best of the best.

“By engaging in different collaborations and partnerships we are also able to connect with our audience on a deeper level and further add to our community,” he says.

With a highly active presence on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter, they partner with a number of incredible brands and influencers to expand their audience and attain new potential customers and glampers. Whether they are there to learn more about the industry or to book accommodations, their digital platforms are crucial and necessary in order to give their guests an idea of who they are and what they offer.

THE SECRET TO SUCCESS In one of the first phone calls Ruben had with David about embarking on this journey, he said ‘Well hey, even if this fails, at least we get to talk to each other every day.’

Ruben remembers this and says, that Glamping Hub is truly a business built off of friendship. www.glampinghub.com

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LEMALA NANYUKIE Magnificent, sublime and just the right amount of luxury

in a contented state of being happy, healthy and prosperous and at peace with your place in the world.

There is a very good chance you’ve never experienced anything like Lemala Nanyukie. It has been my experience that people who travel to Africa, do so because they yearn for adventure, long for excitement beyond their control and most importantly because they want to be moved.

SEEKING EUDAIMONIA Previously, we have spoken about Lemala Nanyukie, and a brief read of that article will demonstrate the level of quality, luxury and keen attention to detail that Lemala Camps and Lodges have applied to this almost dreamlike-fantasy tented camp. Sufficed to say it is everything you could want in an outdoor safari camp. Luxurious and in the middle of nowhere, at least a 40 minute drive from the Seronera Airstrip.

Not everyone is a gadabout, who will throw themselves into adventures at a drop of a hat and happily sleep rough to the chance to see a unique sunrise. Instead, many of us want to have the best of everything. We want to see the magnificent and the sublime but at the same time we also want to know that we have somewhere comfortable to lay our heads and maybe juuuust the right amount of luxury.

CEO of Lemala Camps and Lodges, Leanne Haigh, explains that the entire camp was designed to make use of the surroundings.

There is a word that springs to mind when thinking about Lemala Nanyukie, “eudaimonia”, it is a Greek word that literally means “human flourishing”, as

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“Most of our guests can’t recall the last time they saw wild, undeveloped savannah from horizon to horizon,” she says, “It is incredibly humbling and a peaceful feeling and Lemala Nanyukie was designed to fully make use of this environment.”

Meaning ‘endless plains’ in the Maasai language, the Serengeti is undoubtedly one of the world’s most celebrated wilderness areas that anyone with an interest in African wildlife would have seen in documentaries and television series. Lemala Nanyukie is located in the park’s eastern region and has sublime views across these fascinating ‘endless plains’.

Under the shade of ancient giant acacia trees in a grass savanna dotted with rocky kopjes, Lemala Nanyukie is just one example of the lengths that Lemala have gone to provide their guests with the most incredible experiences. Their other places include the Serengeti’s Lemala Kuria Hills Lodge and Lemala Mpingo Ridge in Tarangire.

“The Serengeti has a song,” Leanne says, “At first it’ll be a barrage of unfamiliar sounds, then it will sound like Africa is singing to you. Then, sooner than you think, you’ll feel like you’re part of the song too.”

Lemala Nanyukie does offer something unique and very special. Contemporary décor, with dazzling whites and neutral colours, warm and textured accessories, luxurious upholstery, wooden furnishings and well executed lighting that provides the guest with the sort of splendid luxury they would expect in a five star boutique villa. And, with only canvas walls surrounding you, as you fall asleep, you’ll feel closer to the Serengeti than ever before, when the sun sets Africa really wakes up.

SUSTAINABLE Lemala have never considered their luxury portfolio to be just about luxury accommodation.

Luxury is about having something unique and special, something that other people don’t have. You can find a great bed and a great room anywhere in the world, in a dirty city or a quiet town, but one thing you won’t find anywhere else is this private view of Africa.

Then, during the daytime, sitting in the hot tub or lounging on the deck of your royal-standard tent, you can allow yourself the freedom to just relax and listen. Be like a lion, the king of Africa and just let yourself chill out in the shade and listen as the plains speak to you.

And what’s even better? It’s completely sustainable.

What is a major problem with many destinations in exotic, far flung destinations? They leave a permanent footprint on the landscape. Their construction requires the disruption of the land around them, the upheaval of the soil and the destruction of animal habitat. To lay down a foundation of a building and then to build it, to furnish it, to heat it and provide water and power, all of these change the landscape around it. People enjoy luxury accommodation in beautiful areas without ever considering the impact that such patronage entails for that location.

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The delightful wooden deck has sunken seating, outdoor shower and stunning corner plunge pool with views directly across the Serengeti’s magnificent grasslands.

This area of the Serengeti is crossed by the thrilling wildlife spectacle of the annual wildebeest migration, but also has high-density gameviewing at all times and is well-known for its large concentration of cats. As such Lemala Nanyukie is open year-round, and safari activities like game drives and walks are accompanied by Lemala’s highly-knowledgeable and experienced guides.

International travellers are becoming ever more aware of their own carbon footprint and naturally gravitate towards destinations that will help them make theirs greener. At all Lemala Camps & Lodges, guests can relax and enjoy their stay knowing that their pleasure has scarce detriment to the surrounding land. As a company Lemala’s base-line standard, always begins with building sustainably and responsibly.

With this in mind, not only is Lemala Nanyukie a flourishing example of how tented camps can offer the comfort of a hotel without any of the damage, it is also a reminder to guests that they need to take the time to just enjoy being somewhere magnificent. With all things considered, a stay here is an opportunity to lose yourself in the experience and come out on the other side changed.

“It’s the best of both worlds,” Leanne says, “You have the adventure and brave exploration of the wildest part of Africa to get your heart thumping in your throat and the luxury and comfort of your tented camp promising the deepest sleep of your life.”

THE TENTED LODGE The main area in the camp features a comfortable lounge and bar, outdoor viewing deck that leads to a refreshing swimming pool and indoor and outdoor dining areas. Additionally, Lemala arranges special meals like bush breakfasts and lantern-lit dinners, and the campfire is perfect for a post-dinner drink and share of tall-tales and stories about the day on safari. A separate spa tent among the trees offers secluded relaxation for those wishing to leave their work and life stress behind.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND While Lemala Nanyukie is not in a malaria zone it is worthwhile to check what shots are suggested for the area. As the camp is remote it is advised to bring any and all medication as required and to alert staff to any medical conditions.

Fifteen luxurious guest tents, including a two bedroom suite, are spaced well apart to offer complete privacy. Five of the tents have extra day beds so triples can be accommodated, and the two-bedroom one is perfect for families or friends.

Also, this is Africa, so pack a good hat and make sure you have sunscreen and wear a T-shirt.

Nothing will ruin your enjoyment of a holiday faster than African sunburn.

Amenity features include an oversized bed, spacious lounge, and generous bathroom with double vanity, shower and free-standing bathtub.

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Finally, be prepared for an inspiring experience and an adventure you’ll never forget.

COMPANY ADDRESS: SERENGETI, SERONERA AREA (middle of nowhere)

PRICE: $1800 a night for 2 guests.

Stay 4 nights and only pay for 3.

TELEPHONE: +255788734834 EMAIL: res@lemalacamp.com

Valid in high season and inclusive of all meals and drinks, wifi, laundry.

WEBSITE: www.lemalacamp.com/nanyukietented-lodge

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HOTEL JOSÉ NOGUEIRA A cherished story for a cherished hotel

The owners of Hotel José Nogueira are proud of the history of their hotel and with good reason. The protected building has become a representation of strength, class and triumph in the city of Puna Arenas with many of the locals recounting the story of the building which now holds the hotel. We spoke with Marie Louise Roux Pittet Gerente, hotel spokesperson regarding what makes Hotel José Nogueira so special.

According to Marie, the city can be visited throughout the year for a range of different activities. During winter the ski season is open at the Club Andino ski centre and King penguins can be seen in Tierra del Fuego. During spring and summer, the visits to the colonies of Magellanic penguin in Isla Magdalena and Otway Sound are not to be missed.

Also, a trip to Punta Arenas would be disgracefully incomplete without enjoying the rich Patagonian cuisine which includes a number of traditional regional dishes like lamb stick, crab and others.

THE SETTING. THE CITY OF PUNTA ARENAS The city of Punta Arenas in Patagonia has become known throughout the country as a “free zone” thanks to commercial, cultural development which means that visitors can purchase products from around the world with reduced taxes. As it is a great place to buy imported products at a great price there is always a steady traffic of both international and national travellers.

“Even if it isn’t your first time visiting the city,” says Marie, “You should always stay for a couple of days to get the full taste and scope of it.”

THE HOTEL JOSÉ NOGUEIRA The rich history of Punta Arenas has resulted in

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keep the building structure the available space was adapted, therefore not all of the rooms are exactly the same, resulting in some being more spacious than others.

“Keep in mind that each one of them counts with its own personality and characteristics,” she says, “All set with the highest standards which we ensure every guest to the Hotel José Nogueira receives.”

a fascinating nineteenth century architecture.

Around the main square there are buildings that stand out like the cathedral, the Government House, the traditional Cabo de Hornos Hotel, Sara Braun Palace and José Menéndez Residence. All of them have been declared National monuments, as these mansions of the nineteenth and early twentieth century are closely related to the origins and history of the southern population.

Hotel José Nogueira, is situated in the Sara Braun Palace which has over time become one of the most characteristic buildings in the city, highlighted by its beautiful setting in front of the Plaza Muñoz Gamero, and surrounded by other national monument buildings.

RESCUING THE BUILDING The building is currently owned by the Union Club, which was formed in 1960 by regional business owners when they purchased the Sara Braun Palace to rescue the building from foreign investors. Valuing the history of the property and seeing it as an important patrimony of the pioneer period of the region.

It has twenty two rooms in total, consisting of seventeen standard and five suites all decorated in a classic style inspired by the early nineteenth century look of the building. Situated in front of the main square of the city, the hotel’s front door opens onto the main shopping street, so guests are right in the hub of the city. Onsite, there is also the Shackleton Bar.

However, despite this the building fell into disrepair and the opening of the hotel was the second rescue that required a full renovation. This renewal was managed by two members of the Union Club and private business owners Jorge Jordan and Jaime Vasquez.

“Shackleton’s bravery, leadership and his unforgettable adventure and the fact he was a special guest of Sara Braun in her mansion, inspired the environment of our bar,” says Marie, “It is decorated with a collection of watercolour paintings that depict Shackleton’s odyssey in this land and a meticulous recreation of the original whiskey, taken to Antarctica by Shackleton in one of his expeditions between 1907 and 1909.”

A LOVE OF ARCHITECTURE According to Marie, the hotel is perfect for people that love architecture and local history. And can appreciate the effort made by the pioneers of the Patagonian territory. She explains that in order to

“This building was always part of the social and cultural life of Punta Arenas, as a part of the

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Marie reveals that Hotel José Nogueira has incorporated the Hyla German ecological equipment for all of their cleaning including dust extraction, environmental sanitisation and indepth cleaning of surfaces, carpets, hangings and linens. The range of equipment used is certified by the European community, ISO 9001 and by the Swiss Greenbase Biotechnology laboratory.

Guaranteeing the elimination of allergies and asthma caused by dust and mites, its emanation is 100% pure air.

Nogueira Braun family spirit. In the use of the palace as a restaurant, bar and hotel, the memory of the former owners is kept alive,” says Marie.

THE FORMER OWNERS Sara Braun moved from Russia to the Southern Lands in 1974 and married the successful Portuguese businessman José Nogueira. He had made a great fortune in shipping activities, sea lion hunting and sheep farming and after his death of tuberculosis in 1893, Sara went on to administer the great inheritance. This included businesses in livestock, commercial, shopping and industry and she became the only female entrepreneur in Punta Arenas and continued to expand and grow the business, forming the Sara Braun Livestock and Commercial Corporation in 1914.

“With this we can say that all our rooms are hypoallergenic, even those with carpets which is excellent news for our future guests,” says Marie.

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS When services are sold, especially those that deal with experiences and hospitality, human relations are the main resources of your business.

THE IMPORTANCE OF LOOKING AFTER THE DETAILS

“Many times,” Marie says, “It is the personal relationship that is generated with the customers that makes the difference between deciding whether to buy from you or the competition.”

In 1982 the mansion was declared a national monument, since then the main characteristics of the building cannot be modified. In 1992, part of the Sara Braun building became the Hotel José Nogueira. And in the same spirit of protecting the history of the building, the hotel approaches looking after its guests and reputation just as seriously.

Creating and maintaining this personal relationship requires responding to the needs of the guest and taking immediate and decisive action on

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complaints. Marie tells us that they send surveys to guests after any stay and answer all the comments in TripAdvisor and Otas.

Open communication is important and so they make use of all the different forms of communication to speak with guests. This includes being active and present on email, social media, their web page and telephone, offering the fastest answers with the most personalized service.

Marie testifies, “The memory of its former owners still lives in the use of the palace as a restaurant, bar and hotel. And we are passionate about sharing their legacy with our guests.�

PRICE: Low season USD 131 High season USD 226 TELEPHONE: 0056 61 2711000/001/003 EMAIL: reservas@hotelnogueira.com WEBSITE: www.hotelnogueira.com

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SANBONA WILDLIFE RESERVE. WESTERN CAPE. SOUTH AFRICA A protected slice of wildlife, history and culture

Comprised of three luxury lodges and an explorer camp destination, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve sits at the foot of the imposing Warmwaterberg Mountains in the Klein Karoo. Set in 58,000 hectares of sculpted Cape Fold Mountains and wide-open plains, malaria-free and only a three hour drive from Cape Town, this is a destination of note.

THE LOCATION. THE KLEIN KAROO.

Purchased by Dr. Carmen Ellinger-Mühleder in 2012 through the CALEO Foundation which she founded for this purpose, the wildlife reserve, its lodges, camp and guided tours are an initiative to protect the astounding variety of wildlife and prehistoric culture found here.

Thanks to the Warmwaterberg Mountains creating a rain shadow on Sanbona, there are two types of vegetation-areas here. These biodomes consist namely of the Fynbos (fine bush) and the Succulent Karoo. To the south of the mountains nutrient rich soils receive on average 350 mm of rainfall annually and this supports the Montagu Shale Renosterveld vegetation of the Fynbos.

North of the mountains however, the average rainfall drops significantly to only 150mm a year and the vegetation here shifts to the more arid succulent karoo.

More than simply a Big 5 wilderness reserve, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve offers a vastness of landscape, an alluring stillness and an isolation amid the raw beauty that makes it perfect for game drives and unique boating safaris. It also presents the perfect opportunity to engage and educate tourists on the value of this land.

“This area is well known for its diverse indigenous flora and fauna,” Paul Vorster, GM of Sanbona says, “But it also possesses some of the rarest examples of San rock art, some of which dates back more than 3,500 years, which is hugely significant and something that must be protected.”

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ACTIVITIES

STARGAZING AND STORY TELLING

From one of the lodges, the interactive game drives which last up to three hours, take place at sunset and sunrise. Guests are guided by a game ranger in an open game viewing vehicle, locally employed and highly skilled the guides are fluent in the language of the land and are able to answer any questions guests may have. On game drives guests can enjoy a sundowner drink at sunset and a coffee or tea at sunrise.

Considered to have the best stargazing in Southern Africa, thanks to the complete lack of artificial light. The San, who are the native bushmen of the area, have many stories and legends about the stars. Involving gods and goddesses banished to the heavens and the skilful story tellers help these myths unfold before your eyes.

STAFF AND ACCOMMODATION

GUIDED NATURE WALKS

There are three lodges across the reserve, offering different perspectives and accommodation.

Gondwana Family Lodge has twelve rooms, Tilney Manor has six, Dwyka Tented Lodge has nine and the Explorer Camp has three safari tents.

Across these there are 180 people employed and Paul says, “We employ locally whenever possible and this an important factor to developing the community which plays a crucial part in protecting this area.”

For those who prefer to hoof it, qualified walking guides allow guests to experience the region at a slower and more immersive pace. These walks are engaging and educational, providing an insight into how to track birds, insects and animals by spoor identification and reading the plants.

Sanbona is the first authentic free roaming BIG 5 wildlife reserve in the Western Cape and is one of South Africa’s largest privately-owned wildlife reserves. As such, it is home to a number of unique species that aren’t seen elsewhere, such as the critically endangered and highly elusive Riverine Rabbit and the second smallest butterfly in the world the Dwarf Blue. It also has 200 identified bird species and is an important raptor nesting place.

This forms part of the long-term plan of the CALEO Foundation which is the conservation and preservation of a vulnerable, sensitive land, its plants and the indigenous animals. Critical to this success is the involvement and development of the communities around the reserve, as is procuring, training and employing locally.

“Also, this allows the education of the community, its children, our employees as well as guests about the purpose of this reserve,” he adds.

As both the game drives and the nature walks are through a protected wildlife reserve, no children under four are permitted on the drives and no children under sixteen are allowed on the walks.

Also, it is advised that availability of both tours be checked as they are subject to availability of the qualified guides.

REHABILITATION For over two and a half centuries, the region has been and continues to be transformed by local and commercial agriculture, and so the significance of a nature reserve dedicated to protecting and conserving what remains cannot be overstated.

Both the Fynbos Biome and the Succulent Karoo are globally recognized biodiversity hotspots but in addition to the farming, infrastructure in the form of fences, road networks, overgrazing and trampling have all left scars on the landscape.

RELAXATION RETREATS Various treatments can be enjoyed at the relaxation retreats at Tilney Manor, Dwyka Tented Lodge and Gondwana Family Lodge. Treatments can be booked prior to arrival at the reservation and are the perfect way to get into the holiday, adventuring spirit.

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restores degraded ecosystems through the use of sound conservation principles,” Paul says, “This maintains, restores and protects natural systems across various types of lands.

It also helps replenish the number of indigenous animal species that further help promote the healthy function of an ecosystem.”

These have led to erosion, invasive alien vegetation, change in vegetation structure and the destruction of micro habitats.

Rehabilitation of the semi-arid environments such as Sanbona is a slow process. However, with the groundwork laid and with constant monitoring of management actions and adaptation of conservation practices Sanbona’s revival is developing and it is doing so in a sustainable manner.

Rehabilitated to a more natural state it allows the reintroduction of animal species with the focus on those that are now rare and endangered. Paul explains that there is an important story to tell here. One of the wildlife and the indigenous people and telling it builds awareness of the need to conserve, for future generations, a heritage that is in danger of being lost forever.

“To achieve this goal the reserve rehabilitates and 60

available for vehicles at the Welcome Lounge for guests who travel to the reserve on their own.

Furthermore, inspired by the success of what they have been doing so far, whenever it is possible, they will expand the amount of land which they can rehabilitate to further support these delicate environments.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

Game viewing is not affected by the weather, seasons, or time of year but you can consult with one of the safari experts before you make your booking if there’s something in particular you want to see.

As Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is primarily focused on the preservation and protection of wildlife and vegetation there are some things to keep in mind.

It is also recommended you bring warmer clothing along for the trip as it may get cold.

PRICE: Between ZAR9305pp sharing and ZAR12430pp sharing

Apart from the guided tours mentioned earlier, they do not offer day trips and self-drive game drives are not permitted on the reserve either.

Additionally, booking in advance to your stay is essential.

COMPANY ADDRESS: Route 62, Between Montague and Barrydale TELEPHONE: +27 (0) 21 010 0028

Guests are met at the Welcome Lounge, 15km in from the main gate and taken to the lodge in order to meet their specialist guide. A complimentary transfer from the lounge to the different lodges is available on request and must be booked at least 72 hours in advance. There is also secure parking

EMAIL: reservations@sanbona.com WEBSITE: www.sanbona.com

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DOMAINE D’ESPERBASQUE FRANCE No Rules. Only Love.

As far as we know the history of the area, which is near the village of Salies de Béarn in the Pyrénées Atlantiques of France, goes back as far as the 14th century. Marianne Hessels who has run the family tourism business for 15 years now explains that this area’s rich history has always been intrinsically bound to Domaine d’Esperbasque.

quit her kindergarten teaching job in Holland to live the dream in France.

Unfortunately, the pair separated about 15 years ago which was when Marianne took over the business on her own with the help of her two sons.

Today, during the low season, which is nine months of the year, Marianne is on her own handling the maintenance of the business and the animals. René her son lives close by and lends a hand if needed while the eldest, Johan is based in Australia and helps with communication, the website and marketing. During the busier high season there is a team of over eight and to Marianne, it is very useful to have people able to speak multiple languages.

“The basic idea has always been the same,” she says, “Having a farm and a campsite in one, and giving guests the chance to escape from their busy and stressful lives and reconnecting them with nature. In today’s hectic climate the chance to reconnect with nature, one’s family and oneself couldn’t be more relevant.”

THE STORY

“We have a majority of Dutch and English customers,” she says, “So we have employed from Holland as everyone speaks English as well.

This year we had a very mixed team with people from Czech Republic, Iran, France and Holland and this creates a great dynamic with up to seven languages in total.”

According to Marianne, the original founder was Pieter, a farmer from Holland who after wandering around in France fell in love with this area and started a basic “Hippy-style” holiday location in 1980. Offering activities such as painting, yoga and weaving, everything was based on a farm and a few years later, after a holiday on site, Marianne

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most families have only one or two members interested in horses, they also have plenty of options with the pool, table tennis tables and sports fields.

She adds, “And when we see people who came here as a kid in the 80’s now return with their own kids, that is the best feeling you can get!”

ACCOMMODATION It started with the campsite, which has 100 spots distributed around the two houses and buildings.

They are all spacious and thanks to the terrace setting all enjoy great views.

ABSOLUTELY UNIQUE There is a vibe at Domaine d’Esperbasque that is difficult to describe and best to be experienced.

According to Marianne returning visitors often ask how they create and keep such a special sense of freedom and a wonderful vibe going?

Then there are 6 apartments in the two historical houses. The Manor house dates to 1732 and the Gîte used to be the car¬riage house of the domain. Marrianne explains that they have refused to install mobile homes because they want everything to fit within their natural setting.

“Maybe it’s down to the hippy-like mindset that we’ve retained with a modern edge,” she considers, “Of course, it could also be this region of the Pyrenees with the Atlantic coast just around the corner, the great views we have or the fresh air.”

“Around 2013 we installed the first safari tents, we were feeling that the holiday makers were looking for something special in-between camping and housing,” she explains.

Postulating, she believes that the relaxed feeling people are looking for is something that goes beyond mere surroundings. Marianne appreciates that people work all year round to go on holiday and she feels blessed to be able to help make their experience here as memorable as possible.

“We chose the spots with the most beautiful views on the campsite and since have heard quite a few times that it is like a scene from “The Sound of Music,” it’s been a hit since then,” she adds.

In 2018 they finished building 2 semi-underground houses which are their Tree-log homes. This project came about because they were looking for something truly unique and a summer season employee who had studied architecture came up with the idea. Immediately the brainstorming began, starting with the idea of building an Earthship, the project was shaped according to what we have, our environment, and lots and lots of internet research.

“Many people have to cram eleven months or more of work stress and pressure into a week of relaxing and recovery,” she says, “So it’s important to me that we offer them the best and fastest ways for them to relax.”

A unique offering is the guided horse riding, as they are one of the few campsites in the region that offer a horse riding school on site. And as

“This year we have an employee who just finished at a modern architecture school in Barcelona,” Marianne exclaims, “So who knows what we might be doing for 2020!”

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Additionally, to the horse riding and table tennis mentioned earlier, they also offer onsite scuba diving, shooting or petanque contests, kayaking and rafting. There are loads of walking maps from the campsite and guests can walk to Salies de Béarn from the camp. And, for the total relaxation, guests can get a massage session on site!

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND Domaine d’Esperbasque is in an area where guests can climb a mountain one day and jump in the Atlantic the other, lots of little towns surround the area and all the rivers are perfect to swim and relax in the shade. Bring your bathing suit and a jumper.

ESPERBASQUE STYLE One thing is certain is that the camp’s vibe will ultimately influence everything. The houses are decorated in classical French style, the underground houses are built with lots of clear and light wood, but Marianne says that they have a look and feel of their own, something that could be called the Esperbasque style.

Also, if you don’t want to drive all the way, a rental car from Biarritz Airport is a great option, or bringing your own on the ferry to Santander.

PRICE: See site: www. esperbasque.co.uk/rates

“We like to honour the history and nature of our region,” she says, “And we’re always looking for that one detail that’s going to jump out.”

COMPANY ADDRESS: Chemin de Lagisquet, 64270 Salies de Béarn, France

CAPACITY

EMAIL: info@esperbasque.com

The people capacity is about 10 persons for the tree log houses, 25 persons spread over the apartments and 25 for the safari tents. The campsite sleeps 100 families, so that makes 300/400 people for the campsite.

WEBSITE: www.esperbasque.com

TELEPHONE: +33559382104

All the rental accommodations are self-catering and equipped with a kitchen. There are three sanitary blocks on the campsite while the apartments and log houses are equipped with their own bathroom and kitchen. All spots and rooms have electrics.

WHAT GUESTS CAN EXPECT The human factor is the one that really makes a difference, and Marianne doesn’t see her guests as just a number. In fact, she does a stunning job remembering people by name. And every family that arrives at Domaine d’Esperbasque is welcomed with a drink, after a long trip.

“We feel it is really important to just forget about setting up that tent straight away or unpacking,” she says, “Just sit down for a minute and breathe in the holiday feeling while sipping our neighbours’ wine!”

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REVIEW

YE OLDE SWAN Superbly, this is a great traditional no frills rustic site with separate toilet and shower facilities for the glampers to use. There is no electricity within the tipis as this is for people seeking an escape from it all. This being said, devices can be charged inside the pub or in their on-site shop (but judgement will be cast upon all those checking their Instagram!)

There is lighting inside the tipis and all have either a double bed or two singles. There is a small table and chairs and outside communal seating for people to relax and enjoy the surroundings. For those seeking to wander, being located directly on the Thames Path this site has some lovely walks in both directions.

Right on the banks of the River Thames and set in Radcot, an area of important historic significance, Ye Olde Swan was taken over by the current owners in November 2016. As a family run business, this pub/restaurant and campsite is a free house and is not owned by a brewery, giving them the flexibility to create the wonderful atmosphere that it is known for today.

Carmen Hyde, part of the Ye Olde Swan team who has been instrumental in creating this unique and beautiful destination, describes it as a quintessential “perfect place”. That offers families, couples and groups the opportunity to enjoy a range of outdoor activities from paddle boarding and kayaking, to BBQing and lounging around in the sun. With a pub and bar on hand for great food and surrounded by a wonderful setting it is indeed a perfect place to come and chill.

BEST TIMES TO VISIT During the summer months it can get very busy due to the beautiful location so for people who want a quiet and relaxed stay, during the week is the best option. If (when) the sun comes out, it can be a lively and exciting place to be with a constant hub of people enjoying themselves in the river, on boats and in the pub garden itself.

THE ACCOMMODATION There is a total of ten glamping tipis, four of which have woodburning stoves inside, but Carmen explains that this number will probably increase to six within the next year.

EVENTS

Ye Olde Swan caters for large parties, corporate team building events and family gatherings as the tipi site can sleep up to 40 people comfortably.

But if glamping is not your thing, they also have camping available directly next door for the tent lovers. Guests tend to stay for 2-3 nights but can easily stay longer depending on season.

There is a large garden marquee available for guests to hire for a variety of purposes and they’ve hosted everything from bands to discos to corporate meetings and team building functions.

In fact, Ye Olde Swan hosts events throughout the year, with their most popular event being a 3 day

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ale and music festival called Radfest. They are also hosting their second Dubs @ The Bridge Event which is for VW and classic car enthusiasts.

INTERESTING FACT This is a venue of particular historic relevance as it is the site of the famous battle of Radcot Bridge of 1387 which has a book being written about.

EMAIL: info@yeoldeswan.co.uk WEBSITE: www.yeoldeswan.co.uk TELEPHONE: 0044 (0)1367810220 FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ yeoldeswanradcot PRICE: Price per tipi per night (can sleep upto 4 people) varies during the year. Prices start at Monday – Thursday - April, October – 70.00 Friday, Saturday and Sunday – April, October – 100.00 Monday – Thursday – May, September – 80.00 Friday, Saturday and Sunday – May, September 120.00 Monday – Thursday – June, July and August – 90.00 Friday, Saturday and Sunday – June, July and August – 150.00

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REVIEW

HUSTYNS GLAMPING VILLAGE, CORNWALL

With forty locally employed staff, the glamping village enjoys a rural setting, miles from civilization, in the peaceful tranquillity of the Cornish countryside.

With four bell tents, decorated in a woodland theme which can accommodate up to four people each, this first step into glamping has proven very popular and comes highly recommended.

each tent, as well as access to a microwave, TV and DVD player, with a selection of movies to watch should you desire…there are also a collection of board games as well as a couple of crochet sets. There is a small kitchenette with electric camping stove and washing up facilities as well as a women’s, men’s and disabled toilets with soap and hand towels provided.

Our glamping guests have the advantage of being able to use the leisure facilities onsite, which allows them to utilise the leisure facilities showers but most importantly it includes the use of our 20m indoor heated pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, fitness suite and Health & Beauty Spa. The outdoor facilities include crazy golf, tennis courts and an abundance of woodland walks with spectacular scenery.

THE TENTS

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Hustyns Glamping Village opened in March 2018 and was Aston Management International’s entry into the glamping industry.

With another hotel in Cambridge, they purchased Hustyns Hotel & Spa in January 2018 and added the glamping pods to further expand their services to the public.

THE LOCATION

Hustyns aim to build trust with our guests as well as the locals, to encourage growth as well as future visits and improved sense of community, whether it be the use of our locally sourced produce for the restaurant or building relationships with guests and greeting them with a warm welcome, we strive to ensure all their needs are met, going the extra mile to make certain they have an enjoyable stay.

Each 5m tent can sleep up to four people and comes with the basic amenities including electrical sockets, tea and coffee making facilities and a BBQ, although coals and food are not included.

Other available features are a sizeable communal room and amenities block, which are situated next to the glamping village. There is a small fridge for

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THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND Hustyns Hotel & Spa is situated in the middle of the idyllic St Breock Downs, 3 miles from Wadebridge and therefore has no public transport routes, so it is advised that you bring your own transport. Relying on taxi’s is often very expensive and can be unreliable due to our very rural location.

PRICE: £99 - £129 per night (varies during high season) WEBSITE: www.hustyns.co.uk COMPANY ADDRESS: Hustyns Hotel & Spa, St Breock, Wadebridge, Cornwall, PL27 7LG. TELEPHONE: 0044 (0) 1208 893700 EMAIL: enquiries@hustyns.co.uk

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REVIEW

OCÉANO PATAGONIA WILD COAST RESIDENCE

In 2016, Sharilyn Amy and Marcelo Battilana joined forces and built their award winning ecohotel. Investing in the very latest in sustainable technologies they implemented geothermal energy and photovoltaic panels, grey water recycling, and even the use of recycled wood for their handcrafted furniture which is now featured throughout their lobby and rooms.

relatively unknown.

It is Sharilyn and Marcelo’s mission to raise the profile of the region, not only to provide sustainable year-round work for local families, but to help their guests have a life changing experience.

PROFOUND NATURAL BEAUTY

With varied career backgrounds, Marcelo who is Argentinian and Sharilyn who is Canadian dreamed up and developed this project as an example of sustainable development. With the desire to call attention to the incredible wildlife reserve that is found in the protected area of Peninsula Valdés.

Every year, the endangered Southern Right Whale comes to this little bay to breed and birth their young. Guests have a chance to see them up close in their natural habitat and this experience often has a profound impact on guests, providing perspective regarding our responsibility to the natural world and our role in it.

The reserve is also home to many other important species of animal including thousands of penguins that return every year to breed and raise their chicks, as well as elephant seals, sea lions, dolphins and orcas. In this way, the peninsula is a cradle for these important marine species and a safe haven that is critical to their survival.

PENINSULA VALDÉS This area is an incredibly important location for global ecology, particularly at this time when the environment is under so much pressure.

And, although it is designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and biosphere reserve, it is still

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The rooms have been designed to feature the view, with each suite having an ocean facing wall of glass and direct access to private balconies or to patios and the beach. In each room, guests have a small kitchenette that is fully stocked with quality equipment and all the basic necessities to enjoy their continental breakfast, served with fresh bread daily to their room so that they can take in the beautiful view of the ocean while dining.

The land offers the same to many unique Patagonian species such as guanaco, choique, foxes, armadillos, maras, and hundreds of bird varieties.

Touring the peninsula is like experiencing a safari, Patagonian style, where guests have a chance to come face-to-face with incredible animals in their natural environments. To walk among the penguins, to see the unique surf-hunting skills of their resident orca pod, and to sit peacefully watching the social interaction of sea lions.

As mentioned earlier, all the furniture and cabinetry in the rooms have been handcrafted from recycled wood to provide a soulful, beachy feel to a cream-toned neutral backdrop. Each room has a large bathroom and rain shower, plus Direct TV and WIFI.

WHAT GUESTS CAN EXPECT Océano Patagonia Wild Coast Residence is located in a small remote village in Patagonia, and their team, which range from 6 to 10 people depending on seasons are all locals. As are the staff of their tour providers.

Over and above this their on-site concierge team helps organize all the activities and are well known for their commitment to service.

“We work hard to bring guests to the region all year round,” Sharilyn says, “It is an amazing location in the summer, with wide clean beaches and pristine turquoise-coloured water, safe and comfortable for swimming and snorkelling.”

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND Patagonia is remote, wild and sometimes unpredictable. So, guests are advised to pack for a variety of weather and be open to the amazing experiences that are both planned and unplanned.

And be prepared to be amazed.

PRICE: USD119 to USD599 COMPANY ADDRESS: On the beach, Puerto Piramides, in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage site and biosphere reserve of Peninsula Valdés, Patagonia Argentina

ACCOMMODATION

TELEPHONE: +54 9 11 5158 6125

There are eleven ocean facing rooms with four being at beach level with patios and direct access to the sand, five have balconies and unobstructed views of the bay. The one terrazzo suite has access to the rooftop terrace and the single penthouse suite has two bedrooms, 1.5 baths, a large kitchen and living area, a double wide balcony and access to the roof top terrace

EMAIL: info@oceanopatagonia.com WEBSITE: www.oceanopatagonia.com

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REVIEW

ECO LUCERNA LODGE

Instead of running away from the stress and strain of the daily slog, why not run towards the peace and tranquillity found in the middle of the Peruvian Jungle. Or, more precisely, in the jungle of Madre de Dios where you will find an eco-lodge located only a few metres from a river with the same name.

Additionally, as they are specialists in travel planning, they can organize the adventures of all visitors who want to know the magic of the Peruvian jungle from start to finish.

THE ACCOMMODATION While the lodge is in the middle of the jungle, guests will be happy to find that the standard of accommodation is as high as any hotel. Amenities such as Andean rubber sandals, umbrellas, flashlights, lamps and ceiling fans are all included and there are five different levels of bungalow.

A great place to stay to be immersed in jungle comforts, Eco Lucerna Lodge is the perfect escape for any city dweller seeking a place that has less concrete, less cars, more fresh air and a constant cacophony of bird and animal sounds.

The Standard, Twin and Single Bungalows are perfect for people looking for basic comfort and a good night sleep in the middle of the rainforest.

There are private bathrooms and windows open onto dense jungle outside enabling you to fall asleep to the sounds of jungle life.

THE INSPIRATION Eco Lucerna Lodge has been designed and created by professionals from the national and foreign tourism sector, all of which bring extensive experience of hospitality and Peruvian tours.

They know what their guests need to be able to completely enjoy their stay and this is why all of the services that the lodge offers are specifically designed to cover these needs.

The Family bungalow offers exactly what the name suggests for those adventurers who travel with family or with many companions. Private bathrooms, big windows and very comfortable beds.

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At the same time, they are always committed to the sustainable development of the environment and supporting initiatives of their local communities.

The Deluxe Bungalow is perfect for two people venturing to the jungle on a romantic trip together, it has a king size bed, pillows, air conditioning, private bathroom and more. The spacious bathroom has a separate shower and toilet, hot water, towels, and a complete set of ecological toiletries.

TOURS Available tours range from bird tracking to see the magnificent birds of paradise that bring the liveliest colour to the Peruvian jungle, to river tours and even food tours to fill your belly with local dishes. All the details are available on their website http://www.ecolucernalodge.com/ category/tours

ENJOYING SUSTAINABLE ECO TOURISM The lodge offers breakfast, lunch and tours for the most amazing places in the Peruvian jungle.

Booking at the lodge can be done via their website and is very straight forward. Should guests have any questions they will be answered right away either from email or on social media like Facebook.

PRICE: $180 per person WEBSITE: www.ecolucernalodge.com

The team at the lodge work to guarantee quality services to their guests, meeting and exceeding their expectations and hopefully securing them as return visitors. They have found the best way to achieve this is through a solid commitment to quality and warmth and great customer relations.

COMPANY ADDRESS: Rio Bajo Madre De Dios 26 km, Puerto Maldonado, Calle procuradores n ° 341-A, Cusco TELEPHONE: +51 994 831375 EMAIL: sales@ecolucernalodge.com

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Safaris

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MAX FAVOURS SAFARIS The Business Behind The Maximum Satisfaction

Looking after the client from arrival to departure, Max Favours Safaris is a Kenyan company offering quality packages for visitors to East Africa. With a range of thrilling vacation options including wild African safaris, mountain climbing, excursions, cultural expeditions, volunteer packages and photographic safaris they also provide reliable car hire and shuttle services to ensure that every client’s holiday goes uninterrupted. In addition to the Kenya safaris they also offer day and Tanzanian tours for a completely rounded impression of what this side of the world has to offer. Owner, Mary Gathogo explains that it is all down to looking after the small details.

be in a lodge, a hotel or a camp site depending on what the budget is.

“There is such a variety of affordable options with high standards available, that people should never dismiss the opportunity to see Africa simply because of their budget,” Mary says.

“We want clients to arrive and feel completely taken care of,” she says, “Moreover, we aim to provide quality safaris that leave lasting impressions and treasured memories of Kenya and Tanzania. To achieve this, you have to take care of the little things. Such as making sure that the logistics are sorted for a client and that, when on tour, the guide is able to speak their language.”

EXPERIENCED GUIDES, PASSIONATE STAFF Mary founded her business after a lifelong dream of working in the industry. Possessing of a passion for travel, meeting new people and building new relationships she found that helping others fulfill their own dreams, that of seeing Africa, was something she naturally took to. When it came to scaling up her business, she discovered that it was very important to work with like-minded people on the same page as her.

SAFARIS Mary explains that in all of their safaris they cater for every budget be it the first-timer, individuals or organized groups. The range of products are carefully created and tailored to meet each and every traveler’s interests. Each is discussed in a one-to-one basis with a specialist and accommodation is part of the safari and this could

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“You should work with people who share your passion for the business,” Mary says, “We have ten staff members who are friendly and personally motivated.

We provide periodic inhouse training to them to ensure that they are conversant with the various aspects of the tours of travel as we are very strict regarding our standards. Our staff, guides and drivers are the ambassadors of our business after all.”

encyclopedic knowledge of local culture, flora and fauna in the area as well as being able to make decisions on the road with confidence and charisma.

“Making informed decisions on behalf of our clients is something they need to be confident in doing,” Mary explains, “Where will the animals be?

How will the animals and the clients be affected by approaching weather conditions? What is necessary ‘at the moment’ to ensure the clients have a successful safari? All of these questions play an important part and help build our reputation as a reliable safari provider.”

SECRET TO GOOD RELATIONSHIPS Strong business relationships keep the business moving in hard times and according to Mary the positive relationships that you build with your customers, suppliers, business partners and employees bring about more opportunities and successes.

“When you are kind, courteous and attentive you establish a good reputation for your business,” she says, “Our reputation is that we offer a strong personalized and experienced approach which clients trust, and this opens more doors than it could ever close. Your reputation is what brands your business and when times get hard it is what will keep your business afloat.”

The staff are all locally recruited and there are some things that Mary looks for when hiring, such as communication and engagement, honesty, good work ethic and an eagerness to add their knowledge and skills. Hands-on experience is especially important when it comes to the driver guides who are thoroughly trained in the tourism field. It is important for them to have an

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LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

has been designed very well and we’ve integrated our Facebook page to it. This makes it easy to communicate through our messenger. We encourage communication with everyone thinking about going on a safari so that any questions can be answered right away.”

Mary has taken several steps to futureproof her business from changes in technology, trends and the developing and changing needs of their guests and clientele. To her, it is important that any plan for the future be strong enough to succeed but flexible enough to change if necessary.

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“We cannot depend on one part of the business for complete success,” she says, “So we are bringing in a number of new elements that can act as extensions for the existing business or standalone products.”

Photographic safaris have taken off in a big way.

With photo-friendly platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook providing every professional or would-be photographer with an engaged audience of their own. Mary sees it as good business practice to offer the sorts of expeditions that will provide clients the opportunity to capture the best pictures.

To do this, she explains, they have had to keep themselves updated with global trends, which has never been easier thanks to social media. They also pay attention to what customers say and observe how they behave during the safaris, as their enjoyment is the compass with which they direct their business.

“We have a new product for those who have a love for visiting remote places and engaging with diverse cultures and taking photographs,” Mary says, “We are already partnering with a professional company that can offer the best standards on this new product and will be launching very soon.”

“You cannot predict the future demand,” she says, “You have to use your imagination, experience and research to estimate what will be trending in the industry. This is usually determinable by what people are speaking about now.”

Additionally, Mary believes that through the use of multimedia and by enabling her guests to produce these images it helps spread the international message regarding the importance of this land being left undeveloped. Helping to fight against the incessant rise of land buying, poaching and trophy hunting by replacing shooting with guns with shooting with cameras.

She elaborates that by being able to plot a course based upon this information you can begin to identify and manage the risk that is involved.

Business is always unpredictable, but it is important that you’re able to pivot easily and have a favourable environment for innovation.

“To encourage this innovative creativity, we regularly send our employees to conferences and seminars,” Mary says, “And we give the freedom to experiment and try new things.”

PRICE: see website TELEPHONE: +254 (0) 780 337 638 WEBSITE: http://maxfavourssafaris.com

MARKETING Mary reveals that one of the challenges that she faced when setting up Max Favours Safaris was marketing. It was a decisive step to ensure that this part of the business did not let down the others and things have improved reliably since those early days.

“Communication via a strong website is so important,” she says, “That any queries are responded to within an hour, if not sooner, sets you apart from many competitors. Our website

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REVIEW

BENCIA AFRICA ADVENTURE AND SAFARIS different from the range of activities available in this part of the African continent.

Wanting to fully promote local and international tourism across East Africa, Alfred and Margaret Syanda founded their company in 2008. Offering client tailored safaris led by the most experienced and engaging of guides, the business has grown to a team of fifteen and the range of their available safaris has expanded to include a range of tours.

ACCOMMODATION Even though Bencia Africa Adventure and Safaris cater for the budget traveller, this does not mean that the standards of the accommodation will suffer. For more than a decade they have endeavoured to create the most rewarding relationships with the most reliable hotels throughout Kenya to support their safaris and their standards.

THE SAFARIS With a range that includes budget camping, luxury lodges, beach holidays and mountain climbing Alfred and Margaret offer a catalogue of adventures and hospitality options.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

Depending on a client’s tastes and budget, safaris can last anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks. The safaris can also include the sightseeing activities of a Serengeti safari where the guides make full use of their experience to produce the best tour possible and mountain climbing activities where a guest can conquer some of the world’s most famous peaks. The tours are regularly updated, and Alfred makes sure that him and his team of guides are constantly aware of the developments in their safari routes. This is made easier by the skillset of the guides who, with the finest experience in guiding tours, know how to translate those easily overlooked signs that could affect the weather or the travel habits of the animals.

Since 2008, Alfred has learnt that customers will always have questions about a safari, even before they get on a plane to Kenya. Then they’ll have more questions when they are on safari. These can include questions like travel plans and places to go shopping or questions about the wildlife habits or landscape details.

To Alfred every single question is important and is an opportunity to properly engage a client. He believes that every moment is an opportunity to make their adventure that little bit better, more engaging and more exciting. Then, when the safari is over, Bencia ask their question in a survey about what the client liked and where things can improve.

Alfred explains that it is also entirely down to what the client desires and that furthermore it is important to have all the available options on one site. Many clients, after enjoying the experience the first time, want to return and try something

“Learning from client feedback is the best way for us to improve and continue to innovate,” Alfred says.

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2020 One of these innovations is including Gorilla Trekking in Uganda from 2020. Which will provide guests new and old with the opportunity to engage with a remarkable species of animal in a remarkable environment.

PRICE: $100-$450 per day TELEPHONE: +254722917288 +254731838282 EMAIL: info@benciaafricaadventure.com / booking@benciaafricaadventure.com WEBSITE: www.benciaafricaadventure.com

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REVIEW

RAK SAFARIS & TOUR COMPANY LTD, UGANDA. Showcasing a spectrum of tours managed by their highly professional and multi-lingual guides, guests can enjoy a wide variety of tours across Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania. These include majestic gorilla and chimpanzee treks, stunning wildlife and birding safaris and enthralling cultural and city tours. All of these include guided photography, allowing photographers and image seekers of all levels to get the chance to immortalise the experience.

WHERE TO LAY YOUR HEAD Accommodation is prepared prior to arrival and with an assortment of options there is something to suit every guest depending on taste, budget and duration of stay. Some guests may enjoy and prefer a tented safari lodge to fully immerse in the experience while others may prefer the comfort of a hotel after their tour. Each person is different, and this is taken into consideration ahead of time so that everyone knows where they will be laying their head.

Providing a range of excursions across East Africa, RAK Safaris and Tour Company was founded

by Rogers Kamuhanda and has grown to be an unmatched provider of high-quality-fair-cost travel services.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW

Dedicated to providing the best experience possible, RAK understand and demonstrate the importance of keeping guests and clients wellinformed and prepared ahead and during a tour.

This attentiveness ensures that all of their outings flow smoothly and produce those ever-important first class memories.

Uganda is an impressive country that considers its wildlife as an asset, therefor there are a number of important things that RAK Safaris and Tour Company recommend to their guests even before they embark on their journey.

GORILLA AND CHIMP TREKKING PERMITS RAK SAFARIS AND TOUR COMPANY

Gorilla and chimp trekking permits need to be arranged prior to arrival to avoid disappointment.

The permits are issued by UWA who markets them through Uganda Tour Operators to the public. Therefor it’s best to book your trekking

Featuring tours that can be as short as three days or as long as thirty, the company offers a flexible approach to first time safari goers and regular adventurers alike.

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permit (or a complete trekking tour) with a tour operator that is a member of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators. The mountain gorilla trekking permits cost $700 for foreign non-residents.

VISAS Almost all countries will need a visa when traveling to Uganda. It can be purchased online through the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration. This is the only authentic Visa Application Portal for Uganda visas and it costs $50.

MALARIA There is a risk of malaria throughout the country and therefore it is highly recommended to take malaria medication and proper bite avoidance measures. Such as wearing long sleeves and trousers during the sunset hours when mosquitos are most active and likely to feed.

Also, it is worthwhile bringing along a solid tripod, a supply of batteries, memory cards and a pair of binoculars.

WIFI

If you want to take a part of Africa home with you, this is the best way to do it.

The WIFI isn’t really good in Uganda and although most lodges offer it in their main area it is not always reliable. Therefore, it is best to buy a Ugandan prepaid sim card which are widely available throughout the country. Estimate cost: $30 = 5GB.

For a full list of requirements and travel suggestions for Uganda please visit: https://ugandawildtours.com/ PRICE: 500 -5000 USD COMPANY ADDRESS: Plot 710 Gayaza Rd Level 4, Miro Plaza

CAMERA EQUIPMENT

TELEPHONE: +256 (0) 782 061 184

For casual photography a smart phone camera will suffice but bringing a fully charged portable battery charger could be a good idea. For photographers and wildlife enthusiasts and definitely anyone taking one of RAK’s photography safaris, a good camera is suggested. Such as a DSLR with several lenses or a camera with enough optical zoom. The one suggested on RAK’s website is a Canon 5D Mark IV with a Canon 100-400mm lens, Sigma 70-200mm 2.8 lens and a Canon 1635mm 2.8 lens. If unsure, speak with one of RAKs Safaris and Tours staff.

EMAIL: info@raksafaris.com WEBSITE: www.raksafaris.com

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REVIEW

DESERT DAY TOURS

at Mt. Zalagh and Berbercave Excursions near Fez, Ourika Valley and Ouzoud Waterfalls near Marrakesh, and multiple day Imperial City tours from Casablanca and a fifteen day Morocco Grand Tour around the desert.

Desert Day Tours Sarl AU is a tight-knit tour enterprise managed by a group of young Berbers from the South-East of Morocco. Founded by Mohammed Taghlaoui in November 2016 the business has made a name for itself by managing desert and city tours for tourists from across the globe. Their bespoke service, flexible approach and incredible people-skills have made them a firm favourite to newcomers looking to experience the desert beauty for the first time.

Depending on what the guests desire, accommodation can be at Riad’s, Hotels, Kasbahs and luxury tented camps in the desert such as Dihya Desert Camp. The planning and design is kept very flexible to ensure that the guest will get exactly what they’re looking for.

THE TOURS Humble and passionate about what they do their main niche is producing bespoke tours across more than fifty locations in Morocco including deserts, cities and landscapes. The team of six work closely with clients to turn their dreams into a proposal that is realisable and enjoyable, seeking to create those unique memories that inspire people to travel. Working with individuals, groups and even families the tours and their fantastic customer service has been raved about on travel review websites like TripAdvisor.

WHAT GUESTS CAN EXPECT

Tours leave from Casablanca, Marrakech, Tangier, Fes and last from one day to over two weeks. Guests can marvel at stunning sunsets

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Their team is always ready to offer a beyondexpected good service with a reasonable price.

They approach customer service as if their customers were their own family and share with them the warm Moroccan hospitality and cultural values.

This is an opportunity to experience more of the local culture. And, led by Desert Day Tours, together you will have the chance to explore this wonderful country, enveloping yourself in the lifestyle and the mixture of Arab and Berber cultural backgrounds.

While some tours are set and others are completely bespoke, all of them go deep into the unexplored paths to find the authentic world.

Allowing the guest to enjoy both the history, culture and the modernity of the desert trips.

PRICE: It starts from $50.00 per person till $4000 (depends on the number of people they are and the tour/trip they need).

COMPANY ADDRESS: Desert Day Tours Sarl AU, 5/6 Derb LHaima, Fes, Morocco.

TELEPHONE: +212 668 078 887 EMAIL: desertdaytours@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.desertdaytours.com

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REVIEW

GRAND SAFARIS

guests achieve the best possible images. This is a feature of their business that also benefits their non-photographers guests as well. In fact, there is a strong possibility that they have the most photographer friendly vehicles in Tanzania allowing their guests to shoot from a wide variety of photo angles that other vehicles cannot achieve.

In 2008, long-time friends James Blue & Kevin Harris embarked on an adventurous photo safari in the Serengeti of Tanzania. The experience left a profound impact on them both and ultimately inspired James to put together his own safari company shortly after their return. James began taking small groups of photographers to experience the magic of the Serengeti in 2009.

Kevin joined the company in 2014 when Grand Safaris was born and they began putting together their own camps in Ruaha and Serengeti National Parks. As a U.S. company they are uniquely situated as perhaps one of a very small minority of licensed and insured Tanzanian tour operators that own & operate their own camp facilities.

With a less generic and more focused goal in mind, Grand Safaris employs some of the most experienced and knowledgeable guides in Tanzania, several of which have worked with film crews for the BBC, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and more. They know the wildlife and the areas where they operate exceptionally well, and they also know what photographers prefer in terms of positioning and lighting.

THE SAFARIS The company originally launched in 2009 has evolved into what it has become today in Grand Safaris. The company focuses on providing exceptional photo safaris specializing in the spectacular Serengeti & Ruaha ecosystems. Since then the company has been growing from strength to strength off the back of their uniquely appealing approach.

ACCOMMODATION By choice, Grand Safaris operates in spectacularly game-rich areas and have designed and positioned their camps to be away from the crowds of other tourists. Free from the competition of other tour operators their camps offer a more genuine African wilderness experience, providing an element of seclusion that is free from distraction.

As the company was founded by photographers, they naturally specialize in helping their guests many of which are togs themselves, to return home with amazing imagery. Each tour, which lasts between 8-14 days is bespoke and tailored around this goal.

Grand Safaris makes use of three camps that guests can enjoy. In Ruaha National Park they have the permanent luxury safari site, the gorgeous Grand Ruaha Camp. Then, in the Serengeti there are an additional two seasonal safari camps, the Grand Mara camp in the North and Grand Kopjes camp in the South.

The safari vehicles are purpose built and customized to further help their photographer

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THE GRAND SAFARI APPROACH

depending on their requirements and also support a number of groups that do wildlife research and anti-poaching initiatives.

The guys behind Grand Safari have found that creating the perfect excursion depends on several key variables and tying them all together smoothly.

When helping guests design their TZ safari they first determine how much time the guests have, what they want to see and what their budget is.

After an extensive information finding process they embark on making their guests safari dreams come true. Seasonal variables such as the dry season vs. green season play an important role as does the location and movements of animals.

They strongly support the work that the Ruaha Carnivore Project does in their efforts to help the Wild Dogs and all of the large apex predator species. They also support the work of Remembering Wildlife and several other TZ conservation organizations. They have also designed their camps to be as “green” as possible, without sacrificing amenities, to further do their part for local conservation.

Photographers are usually patient, but whether a client is a photographer or just an adventurer, it is important to manage expectations at the planning process. Especially as with many guests coming from the United States, the trip to Tanzania is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Looking for a Photography Safari?

PRICE: Ranges from $500 per day all-inclusive to $1200 per day all-inclusive WEBSITE: www.grandsafaris.com COMPANY ADDRESS: 10645 N. Tatum Blvd / Suite 200-278 / Phoenix, AZ 85028

SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY While Tanzanian law requires companies to employ locally, this is something that Grand Safaris would do anyway. To not only take full advantage of the extraordinary strength of local knowledge but also to support the local communities that rely on this industry. They employ between 15-20 people

TELEPHONE: 1- 888 – 314 7782 EMAIL: info@grandsafaris.com

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Vineyard

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BODEGA AMALAYA (GRUPO COLOME) Every wine comes with a story According to Ana, the Bodega Amalaya may not have happened if not for Donald Hess’s pioneering and adventuring spirit. It was one of his first investments into Argentina in the Arenal vineyards. Its name “Amalaya” can be literally translated into “Hope for a Miracle” and is quite appropriate as the land at the time was considered to be almost completely worthless.

The journey, the process and the history behind a bottle of wine can be enjoyed as much as the contents. Each and every sip of wine is a result of patience, consideration and love which creates a story worth telling. Take Amalaya wine at Bodega Amalaya, one of the wine brands created by Grupo Colome, as an example. This is a story of risk, adventure and faith. We spoke with Ana Papadopulos, head of Trade Marketing and Communication for Grupo Colomé S.A regarding this tale.

“No one, not even the Incas had tried to work this land,” Ana reveals, “But there was something there that caught Donald’s attention from the start and, following his instincts, he pursued it and the results are a testament to his experience.”

Today, Bodega Amalaya is part of Hess Family Wine Estates, a group of Swiss origin with wineries in the United States and Argentina and wine lovers and connoisseurs alike take its very existence for granted. After all, The Hess Family specialise in the elaborate creation and marketing of high quality wines connected with art, gastronomy and tourism and we as consumers sometimes don’t appreciate what it takes to get from vine to wine.

BODEGA AMALAYA Since 2010, Bodega Amalaya has been one of Donald Hess’s projects in Argentina and joins the Bodega Colomé as a fine example of the strong commitment of the group to the region of the High Calchaquí Valleys, in the Northwest of Salta.

“Amalaya wines was born from a deep spirit of adventure and a fearlessness to try something new,” Ana tells us, “And it seems miraculous that the soil of the Cafayate desert could produce such great quality wine. But it was really down to the incredible skill of the teams involved and their dedication to their trade.”

THE LOCATION, CAFAYATE, SALTA Cafayate is the heart of the Calchaquí Valleys, located northwest of Argentina. The region is distinguished by being the highest-altitude viticultural land in the world, with heights ranging from 1,700 meters to 3,300 meters. In Ana’s opinion it is one of the most vibrant places in Argentina for winemakers because it allows them to show the world the diversity of soils, varieties and style that this country has.

Located in the Province of Salta, Cafayate is also a charming town dedicated not only to wine but also to tourism and crafts. It is reached through the famous Quebrada de Cafayate, whose imposing

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canyon and impressive colourful mountains frame an unforgettable journey. Both Salta and Cafayate are distinguished by being one of the most important tourist destinations in Argentina.

to the area as ponchos, empanadas, gauchos and the train to Las Nubes.

“Wine making in this area is an elaborate concept,” Anna reveals, “One that needs to combine local feeling, lore and particular organoleptic characteristics with refined new technologies and trends.”

Salta, itself can be identified by its cultural richness and regional cuisine, the beautiful landscapes and the warmth of its people. Salta wines are as iconic

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AMALAYA WINES

in your wines. Fermentation takes place in steel tanks, cement pools and in barrels, depending on the kind of wine that is aimed for.

The Amalaya Wines are produced based on the emblematic varieties of Malbec and Torrontés, which are cut with other strains to maximize the expression of their flavours. Thanks to this, a harmony of fruity and spicy flavours can be achieved, through which a fresh and complex range of wines are obtained.

“There are of course many different ways to achieve this,” Ana says, “And this is why different cultures have different techniques, different harvest points and ultimately different vinification techniques and technology. To truly capture the spirit of a location you can make full use of these local methods and incorporate them where possible.”

The varieties used in the cuts are strains that occur very well in the region and the grapes come from the Calchaquí Valleys. The region stands out as one of the highest in the world and is characterized by its dry climate. Each year the rainfall is only around 150mm, it also has significant thermal amplitude; poor, rocky and sandy soils, creating a location perfect for hardy vines that create a unique and much enjoyed taste.

SUSTAINABILITY The Director of Vineyard Operations, Lorenzo Dalla Brea, who is ultimately the man in charge of managing the vineyards in their various locations, comes from a lineage of farmers. He grew up in Italy where his grandfather managed the family farm where they grew and harvested olives, grapes and tomatoes and although, in his early career he tried his hand at other professions, Lorenzo’s passion for farming secured his role in the Hess Family story.

TERRITORY WINES The Territory wine range benefits from a truly original sensory experience. Reminiscent of the Province and shares some characteristics with the wines of Height of the Calchaquí Valleys as as full of aromatic intensity, deep colours, high fruit expression and great body.

After he completed his formal education which included a Masters Degree in Winemaking, Lorenzo worked harvests across the world from California to Australia until he met his wife and decided to settle in Napa. And it wasn’t long before his path aligned with the Hess Family and now, he is the steward of the vineyards. Claiming the responsibility as the viticulturist to “interpret his surroundings.”

PREPARATION PHILOSOPHY Winemaking is intricate and was conceivably one of the very first sciences. Humanity had perfected the art of fermentation long before we even considered applying such scientific methods to medicine. And, while the technology has developed and grown, while methodology has matured and been refined, there is still that intuitive quality to the process that is more art than science. Could a machine, acting purely on its programming be able to create a wine as beautiful as Bodega Amalaya? It is doubtful. To be able to truly capture the spirit of a grape into a bottle, there needs to be the touch of someone with a soul.

Always aiming for sustainability and to honour Donald Hess’s credo of “nurture the land and return what you take.” Lorenzo considers it his responsibility to respect the land, as well as those that live on it.

“Many people think the job of winegrowing is just growing grapes, but it’s not just that, it’s about nurturing the earth and caring for the land we have the privilege to farm,” he says.

According to Ana, their philosophy of preparation and producing wine starts with understanding the simple truth: Each wine is born in a vineyard and each cluster of grapes needs to be looked after and nurtured and guided. The smallest variances of sunlight, temperature and soil composition can have an effect on the fruit and by guiding these influences one can achieve the characteristics of fruitiness or spiciness that you want to appear

WEBSITE: www.amalaya.com/home TELEPHONE: +54 (011) 5901.4033

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You are running out of time to see the world 93 Photo by Tobias Bjørkli from Pexels

CUVELIER LOS ANDES VINEYARD When the wine is in the blood

Their vineyards are located on a terrain of alluvial stones and sands with a climate that is typical of the outskirts of the Andes Mountains. The climate at Mendoza is characterised by hot and dry days and cool, airy nights. It is an inspiring setting at the foothills of the highest part of the Andes, perfect for the 55 hectares dedicated to the farming of grapes.

Speaking with the Company President, Baptiste Cuvelier, it is quickly apparent that The Cuvelier family take the cultivation and creation of the finest wines very seriously. A family tradition, they first entered the world of wine in 1804 when Henri Cuvelier founded H. Cuvelier & Fils.

Since then they have expanded their presence with every consecutive generation including the ownership of the renowned Château LéovillePoyferré, Second Classified Growth in SaintJulien, Bordeaux, France. We spoke with Baptiste to discover not only the background to this legacy but also what has made their winery so successful over the years.

THE VINEYARDS Cuvelier Los Andes Wines are made exclusively from grapes grown within their own vineyard at an altitude of 3000 feet (915 metres) above sea level. Their low yield, biodynamic vine growing techniques are organic and considered to be quite unique in the industry and responsible for their incredible taste.

“Wine making takes dedication and patience,” he says, “And we wouldn’t be able to produce outstanding wines if we didn’t produce outstanding grapes. Which is why we are completely Estate-grown and all our efforts go to our vine growing.”

He continues, “Every vine needs to be looked after and nurtured so that it can grow well. The greater the care and attention administered the better the grape. It is about stopping at each vine and understanding what each individual can produce and adapting the overall strategy so all grapes in the plot reach the targeted maturity at the same moment. The same philosophy has been applied to our business.”

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The area is a semi-arid zone of Argentina known for its low rainfall of 250 to 300 mm a year and its relative humidity of 40 to 60%. Temperatures range from temperate to cool with an average annual temperature of 14° C and a thermal range of around 15° C.

decomposition and mineralization of elements because of the terrain’s semi-arid conditions.

But this situation is improving thanks to our implementation of organic and biodynamic practices and the maintenance of both indigenous and planted groundcover.”

Benefiting from eight hours of sunshine each day and 190 frost-free days, the vineyard is located within Region III of the Winkler Index and has 1,800 growing degree-days between October and April.

He goes on to point out that their vineyard and their production is 100% organic and is very carefully managed with quality and respect for both the environment, the health of their team and the enjoyment of their customers.

THE SOIL According to Baptiste, the varied mineralogical composition of the soil and its structural components in the foothills, are due to the geological origin of the mountainous structures, both of the Frontal Cordillera and the Cordon del Plata.

The last alluvial sediments formed several superimposed layers with varying degrees of consolidation. This resulted in strata of fanglomerates, conglomerates, basic sandstone, rounded pebbles and subangular clast which were then covered with a final layer of fine sand and lime. Over a long period of time, the land was consecutively layered in this sediment which spread out in the shape of a fan at the foothills separating the massive Andes Mountains from the Mendoza plain.

LOOKING AFTER EVERY GRAPE One of the fascinating elements of wine making, which draws in many wine-drinkers and turns them into aficionados, is the variety of scientific methods that can be applied to a particular location to create the best results. Then, combining this cool systematic approach with warm human experience. For example, Cuvelier Los Andes makes use of the vertical trellising system, which is an exact science, but when it comes to harvesting there is nothing better than the human touch.

The soil of these foothills is shallow, silty and a little gravelly, otherwise consisting mostly of fine sand with a small amount of lime. Baptiste explains that this makes their soil permeable and drainable.

The PH fluctuates between 7.3 and 7.8 and the varietals include Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Petit Verdot, with a grow density of 5,500 plants per hectare.

With rows aligned north to south and spaced 1.8 meters apart, the number of shoots range from 40,000 to 60,000 per hectare. And, depending on the type of grape (varietal), either the Guyot or the Cordon de Royat pruning system is used to ensure optimal quality and concentration for all.

“Originally,” Baptiste says, “Organic material made up about one percent of the soil due to rapid

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“Canopy management is completed allowing for adequate shoot positioning,” Baptiste adds, “This prevents overcrowding and shading of the lower grapes and also helps prevent overexposure of the fruit to sunlight in order to better preserve the inner acidity of the grapes and to keep the balance of the wines.”

This deficit is applied early in the vegetative period for the red varietals, from the fruit set until the veraison. The goal here is to control the vegetative growth and reduce the size of the grapes which results in a stronger aromatic and polyphenolic concentration. This is the same reason why vines are thinned during ripening, as it helps to obtain a consistent illumination and distribution of the plants, thus creating grapes with a concentration of desirable qualities.

After pruning the vines, yields are further controlled by the continuous thinning of buds during the vines’ vegetative period. Then, the farmers eventually complete this yield control with a green harvest, which is the removal of full clusters, before veraison to ensure the balance of each plant.

WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS The wine making process has been perfected over the years by the Cuvelier family. Baptiste explains that it starts with a “double sorting system”, where on the first conveyor belt, full clusters are sorted by hand. After they have been de-stalked, an additional selection by hand is completed on a second conveyor belt, berry per berry.

Due to the area’s low rainfall and moderate wind and also due to the very low yield, the health of the vines is usually very good. During the vegetative period, only a few phytosanitary treatments are necessary, with 4 to 7 preventive sprayings per year. These include sulphur and copper which are both approved for organic production.

Then, at the end of the second belt, selected grapes fall into small mobile vats that are moved to the top of their tanks where the grapes are gravity-loaded into the fermentation vats.

Once the tanks are full, the grapes undergo a cold maceration of 4 to 6 days before alcoholic fermentation with indigenous yeasts. The entire maceration process takes 30 to 40 days and malolactic fermentation follows either in tanks or in barrels.

“We harvest manually over March and April,” Baptiste reveals, “The clusters are placed in small plastic boxes which weigh approximately twelve kilos, and this helps better preserve their quality and integrity as overcrowding can easily damage the fruit.”

WATER AND IRRIGATION

“Then we age the wine,” Baptiste says, “Depending on its concentration this can take twelve to eighteen months in traditional 225-litre or 400-litre medium toast French oak barrels. These barrels are only used for three years, with a third of the stock being replaced each year.”

A drip irrigation system is used to water the vineyard. Sourced from underground aquifers, via a series of wells up to 250m deep, the quality is very good with an electrical conductivity from extraction to saturation ranging from 200 to 250 micro-Mohs. Baptiste explains that their irrigation strategy is based on the Sustainable Water Deficit concept.

TOURS Enotourism is becoming increasingly popular and the winery, which is located within the Clos de los Siete vineyard in Vista Flores Tunuyan, offers a variety of activities focused on the appreciation of viticulture for groups of friends, couples and families.

“We would like to offer our guests an unforgettable, personalized experience,” Baptiste says, “During which we can communicate our passion and knowledge to wine lovers both new and old.”

For the tours, guests will have the chance to

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see the vineyards, then a visit to the wine making facilities to observe the production area and finally to a tasting room especially prepared for the occasion. Here you can enjoy the magnificence of a legacy of over 200 years.

WEBSITE: www.cuvelierlosandes.com COMPANY ADDRESS: Clodomiro Silva s/n, M5565, Mendoza, Argentina TELEPHONE: +54 261 476-0611

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