Starting a glamping business is exciting—you get to design a beautiful place in nature where people can relax and recharge. But before you rush to buy a pod or pitch a tent, you need to stop and ask one big question: Can I afford this, and will it make money?
Many entrepreneurs underestimate how much it costs to set up even one glamping unit. They focus on the cabin or tent itself, but forget the hidden costs—planning permission, utilities, pathways, marketing, and even insurance. These add up quickly. Without a budget, you risk running out of money before your first guest ever arrives.
According to Allied Market Research, the global glamping market was valued at €2.4 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to €7.1 billion by 2032. This shows that demand is booming. Yet, many small businesses struggle because they underestimate costs or fail to plan for contingencies. That’s why having a sample budget is so useful—it gives you a starting point to understand what’s realistic and what’s required.
That’s why financial planning is not just useful—it’s essential.
This is Where the Epic Stays Course Comes In
Our project is designed to give entrepreneurs the confidence, tools, and knowledge they need to turn an idea into a viable alternative accommodation business. Financial planning is at the heart of that journey—because without a clear budget and funding strategy, even the best location or most creative design can fail. The sample budgets we provide are not abstract: they reflect the real challenges and opportunities across Europe. In Slovenia, land and eco-permitting can be a hurdle, while Ireland faces high land costs and infrastructure challenges. In the Netherlands, the focus is on regulatory compliance and innovative design to fit compact spaces, while Iceland requires resilience planning for harsh weather and remote locations. In Italy, heritage conversions bring unique costs for restoration and compliance but also offer incredible guest appeal. By grounding financial planning in these diverse contexts, EPIC STAYS helps you understand that while costs vary, the principles of careful budgeting, contingency planning, and sustainable investment remain universal.
Why Budgets Matter in Alternative Accommodation
- Confidence – Knowing the numbers helps you pitch to banks, investors, or grant programmes.
- Clarity – A budget shows you what’s possible now, and what needs to wait.
- Control – When you plan for extra costs, you’re less likely to face nasty surprises.
Did you know? Research shows that 70% of small tourism businesses fail in their first three years due to poor financial planning. (European Commission, 2023). A clear budget could be the difference between success and failure.
Unlike traditional tourism, alternative stays like pods, yurts, or eco-cabins involve a mix of land, permits, utilities, and guest experience costs. These can quickly add up. Without a clear budget, entrepreneurs risk:
- Overspending on units before securing permits.
- Running out of funds halfway through.
- Missing hidden costs like insurance, marketing, or pathways.
- Losing credibility with banks or investors.
What Our Sample Budgets Show You
We’ve created Sample Budgets for Glamping that give you a realistic picture of costs at different scales:
- 1 Pod or Tiny Cabin (€53,000 – €201,000) – A good way to test the market without huge investment.
- 2 Furnished Tents (€428,700 – €452,700) – More setup but also more income potential.
- 5–10 Units (€150,000 – €573,000) – A serious investment for those ready to grow into a larger business.
Sample below: See full document HERE:
These numbers include everything from land and planning permission, to utilities, solar panels, marketing, and contingency funds.
How to Use the Budgets
- Start Small – If you’re unsure, look at the 1-unit option first.
- Adapt to Your Country – Land in Ireland costs much more than in rural Slovenia, for example.
- Think Beyond the Pod – Don’t forget about septic tanks, signage, and marketing—these matter as much as the cabin itself.
- Always Add Extra – Keep at least 10–20% extra money aside for unexpected delays or costs.
- Test Your ROI – Use the free Crossover Lodge ROI Calculator to see how long before you make your money back.
Tips & Tricks for Saving Money
- Lease land before you buy – reduces upfront risk.
- Buy prefab – prefabricated pods or tiny cabins can save time and money.
- Shop local – upcycled furniture and local suppliers are cheaper and add to your sustainability story.
- Invest smart in utilities – solar, compost toilets, or reed beds cost upfront but save long-term.
Tips & Tricks for Smarter Spending
- Lease before you buy – reduces risk and upfront investment.
- Start small – test your market with one or two units before expanding.
Prioritise utilities early – water, waste, and power systems are essential.
Use local & recycled materials – cuts costs and strengthens your sustainability story.
Budget for marketing – your pod won’t fill itself; a website and great photography are worth the investment.
This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about helping you see the hidden costs, compare options (buy vs lease land, basic vs luxury units), and prepare for expenses like marketing, insurance, and infrastructure. Many first-time entrepreneurs underestimate these costs—and end up facing delays or financial strain.
With the Epic Stays Financial Modules and templates, you can:
- Estimate realistic startup costs and avoid surprise expenses
- Plan for seasonality and apply strategic pricing strategies to maximise return on investment
- Build confidence when speaking with investors, banks, or grant agencies
Go to Course and Learn how to Use a Sample Budget
- Pick Your Scale – Start with the 1-unit example to get a feel for the numbers, then compare with the 2-unit or 10-unit scenarios.
- Adapt to Your Location – Land and permit costs vary hugely by country and region. Always research your local market.
- Plan for Growth – Start small if needed, but budget for how you will expand later.
- Add a Contingency – We recommend 10–20% extra for unexpected costs.
- Test Your ROI – Plug in your costs, projected occupancy, and nightly rate into the ROI calculator to see how long it will take to break even.
Epic Stays is Already Making a Difference in Europe
EPIC STAYS makes a difference. We equip entrepreneurs with practical resources, case studies, and tools to help them turn financial planning into a manageable and empowering step. The sample budgets you see here are directly linked to real experiences across Europe.
- In Slovenia, eco-permitting and environmental standards are critical.
- In Ireland, land and infrastructure costs are often the biggest barriers.
- In the Netherlands, creative use of compact spaces and strict regulations shape budgets.
- In Iceland, remote locations require extra investment in resilience and utilities.
- In Italy, restoring heritage sites can be costly but delivers high cultural and guest value.
By looking at these different contexts, you can see that while numbers vary, the principles of careful planning, contingency funds, and sustainable investment are the same everywhere.
Where to Go Next – Epic Stays Course
This blog only scratches the surface. For a full guide on funding, financial planning, and profitability, explore Module 6: Financial Planning & Funding Your Alternative Accommodation Business in the EPIC STAYS Curriculum.
You’ll find:
- Funding sources in Europe (grants, loans, green financing)
- Pricing and revenue strategies
- Step-by-step ROI exercises
- Tools like calculators and planning templates
Explore Module 6 here » https://epicstays.eu/modules/
Download the full Learning Pathway HERE.
By combining our sample budgets, practical tips, and financial planning tools, you’ll be ready to move from dreamer to doer—with a glamping business that’s both sustainable and profitable.
Laura Magan,
European Projects Specialist in Tourism,
Momentum,
Ireland
https://momentumconsulting.ie/
