Dimensions of Service Quality in Glamping

Abstract

Purpose -Service quality plays an important role in improving quality and competitiveness in glamping, an innovative and novel form of accommodation in campsites. Therefore, this paper strives to present the dimensions of service quality in glamping from the perspective of two target groups: guests and campsite managers. Methodology -Research was based on a structured questionnaire, designed especially for each target group (guests and campsite managers). The study included 120 managers and 130 guests. Surveys were conducted in 2017 and 2018 using an on-site questionnaire for managers and both an on-site and online questionnaire for guests. The data were analysed using methods of descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings -Research results indicate that managers and guests alike attach importance to the quality elements of glamping service and glamping accommodation facilities. Both target groups agree that friendly staff, professional staff and cleanliness have the greatest role in ensuring glamping service quality, and attractive and well-maintained natural environment, equipment and fittings, and innovative and appealing appearance, in glamping accommodation quality. Results also show that the importance scores given by managers are somewhat higher than those given by guests, in all quality elements that were rated with regard to glamping service and glamping facilities. Contribution -This study makes a contribution to theory and application. From a theoretical perspective, the study contributes by broadening the literature by identifying quality elements in glamping from the perspective of guests and campsite managers. From an application perspective, the results of research contribute by highlighting the quality elements that are important to guests and that should be taken into consideration when designing a product/service as well as in the service provision process.

Camping Tourism in Bulgaria: A time-series analysis of tourist demand

“…The latter is closely linked to the emergence of glamping, a novel and innovative form of accommodation which has recently emerged to provide luxury hospitality (Brochado & Perreira, 2017;Madsen & Madsen, 2022). Derived from safari experiences and the provision of luxury hospitality, glamping combines 'glamorous' outdoor hospitality experiences with camping facilities and a close contact to nature (Brochado & Brochado, 2019) and often includes non-traditional accommodation types such as treehouses, yurts and dessert camps (Hrgović et al, 2019). As argued by Boscoboinik and Bourquard (2011), glamping addresses the main criticism and negative perceptions associated with campsites, namely basic tents, poor sanitation and primitive facilities for catering and hospitality by replacing them with luxury cabins and pampered stays.…”

Research of Glamping Tourism Based on the Aesthetics of Atmosphere

“…The term glamping originated from the words "glamorous" and "camping"; it is a form of upscale outdoor experience that blends wild luxury and camping, as travelers' desire for natural surroundings merges with a growing demand for comfort as well as luxury [2], an emerging concept in camping [3]. The term "glamping" is used in the existing literature to refer to outdoor tourism activities or outdoor hotels; studies have focused on customers' motivations for choosing luxury camping hotels [4] and particular service quality ratings [5] or remaining loyal to particular ones [3], though there are limited results from the research on glamping as an outdoor tourism activity [6]. Glamping differs from traditional camping activities (e.g., those that use rudimentary sleeping bags and basic equipment) by emphasizing comfortable and innovative accommodations such as yurts, conical tents, tree houses, mobile homes, "bubble hotels", and villas [7,8], as well as creating a romantic and lightly luxurious atmosphere.…”