Glamping License in Malaysia - Is it needed?

Glamping is a hot trend today. Operating a campsite is no easy job -  there are tons of steps and guidelines to follow. Plus, you need a license now. But, the revenue it brings is certainly irresistible. This brings up the question, would you get a glamping license?

Glamping or camping takes a lot of effort. The early process of setting up a glamping business is just as important as managing the glampsite when it’s open. There are regulations and safety precautions to be followed before you can be sure your glamping dream can be made true.

Current Hottest Trend - What's Glamping?

Glamping became a hot trend, especially in the post-COVID era. It gains recognition each day and more people are showing interest in it now. Glamping is much more than just sleeping in a single tent. We're discussing upgrading camping to a more luxurious experience. 

Social media's growing consumer influence is anticipated to raise awareness of glamping and its advantages. As we know, the power of media influence is not to be played with. The size of the global glamping market was estimated at USD 2.73 billion in 2022, and it is anticipated to increase at a CAGR of 10.2% from 2023 to 2030. 

Source: Grand View Research

Future Trends and Opportunities 

According to several research, the market for glamping will continue to increase following its exposure on social media. Starview Research's findings on the glamping market found that there will be a significant market size increase from 2021 to 2028.

Source: GlobeNewswire

Starview Research's study on glamping showed the glamping market is driven by a number of factors:

Do I Need A Glamping/Camping License? 

Running a glamping/camping business isn't a walk in the park. You need a license or a permit that proves your business is fit to be run and accommodated by people. A glamping license or permit is physical proof that your business is credible. Now, if you don't have a license, people would be sceptical to stay at your glampsite.

By requiring the site to adhere to minimal requirements, a camping license serves to protect the health and safety of site visitors as well as the nearby people. Getting a license for glamping would involve many site checkups by professionals. If your glampsite is deemed not ready to be open to the public, they have the right to reject your glamping license application. The cost of a glamping license would depend on your local authority. A camping permit often never expires and won't need to be renewed until the owner changes or the permit's terms are altered.

Glamping License in Malaysia - is it needed?

Every camping establishment must require a permit from the local government. Since Malaysia doesn't yet have a camping license and the legalization procedure is still ongoing, it is simply a temporary permit. Those that are currently in business must register with the local government in order to receive a temporary building permit. They must meet the requirements to obtain a license in two years. States like Selangor and Negeri Sembilan have already started introducing a special permit for campsite operators. 

Guidelines For Camp/Glamp Operators

Prioritizing the guests' safety and well-being is important especially when it's a camping/glamping business. Even though glamping might be a 'luxurious' version of camping, there's still room for accidents to occur. That's why operators must give full effort to ensure safety for all.  

Here are some guidelines operators should follow: 

1. Land Check /  Zone Check

Operators of campgrounds must request approval from the government for their activity. Geological investigations are also necessary to detect potential geological dangers like landslides, water surges, and debris flows. A land survey plan which a certified land surveyor has carried out is a must-have for operators. 

Ensuring your campground is safe before continuing with operations is the right move as you put your guest safety first. Campgrounds must be safe for them to be thoroughly enjoyed by people without worry. 

Read also: Zoning for Glamping - How To Check You Have The Right Zoning for a Glamping Business

2. Tent Specifications

Not all glampsites use tents, some opt for caravans or shepherd's huts. However, most choose tents. There are requirements for the tents you build or put on your glampsites. Sure luxury tents are favored by many but they must also function as a shelter for the guests instead of just offering aesthetics. Some requirements the tents should have are: 

3. Electricity & Lighting

Having electricity and proper lighting at your glampsite is a must. It helps the guest and staff to see. It will also ease operations or activities that are done at night. In case of emergency, operators must make sure to have a backup power generator or an inverter. Anything could happen and as the operator, it is responsible to be ready at all times.

With electricity, you can avoid any accidents to happen. You also need electricity to keep up with your glamping management systems. Having no electricity and lights at your campsite might invite some unwanted crisis. 

4. Guest Record Maintenance

Keeping your guest information stored in the system is important not just for booking purposes - it can help identify or track them in case of emergencies. That's why having a management system will come in handy. All operators must have a working management system. There are three management systems you should have:

Maintaining an arranged guest record is the bare minimum effort any accommodation business must do. Imagine you don't keep track properly of your guest, you won't be able to know the exact number of guests accommodating your tent that night. A couple of people could go missing and you aren't able to identify them early. 

Read also: Glamping Management System 

5. Parking

The campsite should have enough parking for the number of tents. If the glampsite has no parking, the operator should arrange nearby parking. Imagine having a huge glampsite but no parking space, does it make sense? Your guest would find that unacceptable and this can be a deal breaker. 

An organized, spacious parking space makes sure guest vehicles are safe. If an evacuation is needed then everyone knows where their car is. 

6. Hygiene

Cleanliness and hygiene are important to avoid any disease. Plus no one likes to spend money and stay in a dirty environment. Make sure you taking care of your property hygiene by:

Read also: Food Hygiene Regulations 2009 

7. Safety

Operators must take safety and security precautions with their glampsite. Don't expect your guest and staff to keep themselves safe while glamping. As a responsible glamp operator, you must:

Read also: First-Aid Kit Checklist 

Conclusion

While a specific glamping license may not be required in Malaysia, glamping operators must adhere to general regulations and safety standards governing the tourism and accommodation industry. By focusing on compliance, safety, sustainability, and exceptional customer experiences, glamping businesses can thrive and contribute to the country's vibrant tourism sector. 

In addition, glamping certainly costs a lot of hard work but with its growing popularity, it certainly can give you a satisfying profit. If you want to be a Glamp Operator, keep an eye out on glamping trends and do sufficient research to be more prepared. 

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