Ready to re-open and manage your glamping/camping site during the pandemic? Here are five top tips from new glamping association Canopy to get you safely started.
1. Create an action plan
By getting a plan down on paper, you will see where the pressure points are likely to be in your business. The aim here is to give you the confidence to manage and, in turn, deliver a safe strategy for re-opening. This will include several elements such as:
• Risk assessments
• Cleaning procedures
• Communication
• Staff training
• Resourcing (cleaning products)
2. It’s all about the systems
Implementing systems is not only a tool reserved for large companies, in fact it’s crucial to small businesses and can be the best way for you to safely manage your way through this pandemic. These can be as simple as a sign-off sheet for safety/maintenance checks and cleaning rotas, through to automated communications regarding safe travel for your guests.
3. Training and Information
Despite the challenges of the current situation, taking the opportunity to train and inform staff can bring many positives. It can enable and encourage you to standardise systems and processes, raise quality standards, support staff to work more productively and so on.
4. Business as usual
It all too easy to forget about other parts of your business, especially when the focus is on safety. Now is the time to:
• maintain the quality of your offering
• do those jobs you have always been putting off
• communicate with clarity – internally and externally – to set and meet expectations.
5. Sell your strengths
We are in a very unique position currently. We have a captive market in the UK and our industry is best placed to sell fresh air! And that’s what everyone wants at the moment. Sell your safety credentials by all means to reassure your potential customers, but make sure you sell you! What makes your site so good? Is it quiet and secluded, offering great access to the surrounding area? Be clear and confident about why people should stay with you.
