FOSTERING
COMMUNITY BY TODD WYNNE-PARRY
M
any outdoor hospitality and glamping brands, including independent lifestyle operators (ILOs) have basically the same company mission or “why”. They generally converge around the theme of connecting their guests with nature. This is certainly a noble goal. We all need more of the natural environment in our lives to balance out the ever-growing amount of information and technology forced upon us. Further implied in many of these company missions is a promise to facilitate an opportunity for guests to commune with both nature and your loved ones. In some instances, there is an invitation to guests to be part of the destination’s community or to commune with others who simply share a love of the
outdoors. This includes those that may not look exactly like you or come from a similar economic, demographic, or cultural background. The glamping sector holds a unique ability to deliver on this goal of fostering community. Smart phones and those in control of social media found on these devices seem to encourage us to stay in our silos of “like minded” people and institutions. We know from history how dangerous this can be. Peace, love and understanding used to be a popular aim for society. The understanding part, which makes the other two goals achievable, is difficult to obtain when one’s information sources are limited or exposure to other communities is feared. Fortunately, in the world of outdoor hospitality, guests are encouraged to disconnect from the digital world and re-connect
with all the things and people in the real world. Glampgrounds can provide the perfect physical and emotional setting to gently expose us to our many similarities despite superficial differences. Therefore, fostering community in outdoor hospitality is every bit as important as exposing the “nature averse” to the flora and fauna in our shared environment. Looking at this topic through a generational lens enhances the importance of community. For Baby Boomers and Gen Xrs lack of community in their lives was never an issue. These folks had churches, fraternal orders, sports clubs, community clubs, they played outside almost daily and grew up without the internet or mobile phones. When it came to hospitality in the mid- to late-twentieth century, this cohort valued consistency and
g l a m p i n g s h o w. u s | G l a m p i n g B u s i n e s s A m e r i c a s | 2 3
