Read Time: 4 mins
A Milestone for GlampLaunch
I’m proud to share some exciting news! I’ve recently been appointed as a Director of the Glamping Industry Trade Association (GITA).
For anyone who hasn’t come across GITA before, it’s the UK’s only dedicated trade body for glamping. Its mission is simple: to give our industry a stronger voice with government, to support site owners with practical resources, and to bring together a community of operators and suppliers who can learn from each other.
For me, this appointment isn’t just a personal milestone. It’s also a defining moment for GlampLaunch. Since day one, we’ve worked hard to support site owners with pods, cabins, and advice to help them get started. Now, by stepping into this leadership role, I feel we’re moving beyond being just a supplier. We’re actively helping to shape the future of glamping in the UK.
Why GITA Matters to Our Industry
Running a glamping site isn’t as simple as picking the right pod and greeting your first guests. Behind the scenes, there are regulations to navigate, energy performance requirements to meet, and countless practical challenges, from HR to health & safety. That’s why organisations like GITA are so important.
Here’s what GITA does:
• Gives glamping a voice with government: lobbying on EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) ratings, the tourism register, planning rules and more.
• Provides business support: including HR, legal, and health & safety helplines.
• Builds a community: bringing together site owners and suppliers through webinars, events, and shared resources.
Put simply, it’s the difference between feeling like you’re on your own and knowing you’ve got an experienced team fighting your corner.
My Role on the Board
So, what does this appointment mean in practice?
The first thing I want to make clear is that I’m not on the GITA board to promote GlampLaunch pods. That’s not why I was invited to join, and it’s not what I’m here to do. My role is to represent the whole industry impartially, from first-time site owners taking their first steps to experienced operators running established sites. My focus is on helping shape a fairer, stronger future for glamping.
I also feel very blessed to be the youngest director (25 years of age) on the GITA board. At GlampLaunch, I’ve always been a hands-on founder. I personally meet with clients, guide them through the entire process from vision to design, and visit sites myself to make sure expectations aren’t just met but exceeded. Those close relationships have given me first-hand knowledge of the everyday challenges site owners face. Joining GITA allows me to take that knowledge and use it to support the wider industry.
The UK glamping sector is expanding quickly, but growth brings challenges: inconsistent planning rules, energy regulations not designed with pods in mind, and the constant balancing act between sustainability and profitability. By working alongside fellow directors and members, I want to ensure glamping is not only protected but also recognised, supported, and strengthened as one of the UK’s most exciting tourism sectors.
Joining Respected Industry Leaders
I’m joining a board already packed with respected voices in our industry:
• John White: Chairman and co-founder of GITA, known for his tireless hands-on approach.
• Derry Green: Owner of The Secret Garden Glamping and part-founder of GITA, whose innovative site has set the bar for unique guest experiences.
• Vicki Jones: Owner of Tractors and Cream, podcaster, and passionate advocate for small rural businesses.
These are only a handful of the dedicated leaders involved. The board is made up of many other directors and key figures who bring invaluable expertise and experience to the table.
I feel genuinely honoured to sit alongside such a strong and balanced team. Together, we combine both supplier and operator perspectives, giving glamping a unified voice and ensuring that decisions at the board level truly reflect the needs of the whole industry.
What’s Next for GITA (and for Me)
The GITA board has a busy agenda ahead. At the recent AGM (Annual General Meeting) held at The Glamping Show, I was formally appointed alongside other directors. That event was more than just a formality.
It was a chance for members to come together, share ideas, and set the priorities that will guide us over the next year. It reinforced how important these gatherings are for keeping the industry united and moving forward.
Looking ahead, some of the areas I’ll personally be focusing on include:
• Advocating for clearer and fairer planning guidance for glamping sites.
• Supporting the industry through the challenges of sustainability and EPC requirements.
• Strengthening the connection between suppliers and operators so that everyone benefits from a more unified sector.
Final Thoughts: A Shared Future
Glamping is no longer just a niche holiday trend. It’s a £3-billion-plus industry that supports thousands of rural jobs and brings much-needed income to local communities. With strong representation through GITA, we can make sure that growth continues in a fair, sustainable way.
For me, this appointment is a proud personal achievement. But more importantly, it’s a positive step forward for the entire glamping community.
I’ll also be sharing regular updates through Inside GlampLaunch, where I’ll take you behind the scenes and show how the work we do at the board level translates into real outcomes for site owners on the ground.
If you’d like to know what it was really like stepping into this role for the very first time, I’ve written about the experience here: The Glamping Show 2025: My First Experience Representing GITA as a Director. It’s a more personal look at what that day meant to me and to the industry.
Summary
• Taylor Glass has been appointed as a Director of the Glamping Industry Trade Association (GITA).
• GITA is the UK’s only trade body for glamping, giving the sector a stronger voice with the government and offering business support.
• Taylor’s role is to represent the whole industry impartially, not just GlampLaunch, while bringing first-hand experience from working directly with site owners.
• Key industry challenges ahead include planning guidance, sustainability, and energy performance rules.
• The board includes respected operators and suppliers, uniting perspectives to strengthen the sector.
• Glamping has grown into a £3 billion-plus UK industry supporting jobs and communities, making strong representation essential for fair, sustainable growth.
FAQs
1. What is the Glamping Industry Trade Association (GITA)?
GITA is the UK’s only dedicated trade body for glamping. It gives the industry a stronger voice with government, provides business support such as HR and health & safety advice, and builds a community of site owners and suppliers through events, webinars, and resources.
2. Why does GITA matter for UK glamping site owners?
Running a glamping site involves navigating planning rules, energy performance requirements, and health & safety regulations. GITA helps site owners by lobbying the government, providing expert support, and ensuring operators don’t face these challenges alone.
3. What will Taylor Glass contribute as a GITA Director?
As the youngest director on the board (25 years of age), Taylor Glass represents site owners and suppliers impartially. Drawing on hands-on experience with GlampLaunch clients, his focus is on advocating for clearer planning guidance, fairer energy regulations, and stronger collaboration across the glamping sector.
4. Who are the other key leaders on the GITA board?
The board includes respected industry figures such as John White (Chairman and co-founder of GITA), Derry Green (The Secret Garden Glamping), and Vicki Jones (Tractors and Cream).
These are just a few examples of the leaders involved. The board is made up of many other experienced directors and key voices from across the sector. Together with Taylor Glass (me), we form a strong and balanced team of operators and suppliers, pioneering new ideas and pushing the glamping industry forward with a truly unified voice.
