Read Time: 4 mins

 

 

So, this September, I had one of those big career “firsts.” I went to The Glamping Show 2025 at Stoneleigh Park, and instead of just walking around like I normally do, I was actually on the GITA stand as a Director.

For context, The Glamping Show runs every year, and it’s basically the place to be if you’re in (or thinking about getting into) the glamping industry. It’s three days of pods, suppliers, seminars, and constant conversations. This year it ran from 18–20 September.

I arrived on Thursday to settle in, meet the GITA team properly, and get a feel for the layout. But Friday the 19th was the big one since it was my first time officially representing the Glamping Industry Trade Association (GITA). Not as Taylor from GlampLaunch, but as a GITA Director. That felt different. Suddenly, I was there as an impartial voice for the industry, not just a supplier.

 

What the Day Was Like

From the moment the doors opened, the stand didn’t stop.

Most of the people I spoke to were at the very start of their glamping journey. They’d just bought land (or were thinking about it) and came looking for answers. And honestly, the questions were so consistent it was almost funny:

• “What planning permission do I need?”

• “How do I set this up for tax?”

• “What about insurance?”

These are exactly the areas GITA was designed to support. It felt good to point people towards resources that are about helping the whole industry, not just selling them a product.

Suppliers stopped by too: pod builders, off-grid tech companies, even eco-toilet makers. It reminded me that GITA isn’t just for operators, but about connecting everyone who makes the industry tick.

Oh, and a funny one, I randomly bumped into someone from my hometown in Northern Ireland. What are the chances? Standing there at Stoneleigh, catching up with someone from back home, made me realise how small and connected this industry really is.

 

 

My Main Takeaways

By the end of the day, three things really stood out:

1. GITA’s Growing Fast

GITA is just over a year old (founded in September 2024), but we're proud to say that we have just surpassed 100 members within our first 12months of operation. That momentum says a lot about how much people want a proper voice for the industry.

2. There’s Optimism in Glamping

Even with the wider economy being a bit shaky, the mood at the show was confident. People were asking smart questions, taking notes, and showing they were serious about investing.

And it’s not just a feeling. The numbers back it up. According to IMARC Group (2024), the UK glamping market reached £93.9 million in 2024 and is projected to hit £260 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 10.73% from 2025 onwards. That kind of steady growth shows glamping isn’t just a passing trend. It’s becoming a solid part of the UK’s tourism and hospitality sector.

 

3. It’s About More Than Pods

This one really hit me. Yes, pods are the core, but what makes a site special is the experience. One couple I spoke to had beautiful land with countryside views. Instead of asking about pod specs, they wanted advice on adding firepits, woodland walks, and working with local food producers.

It reminded me: we don’t just sell structures, we help create experiences.

 

 

Reflections from the Day

Honestly, the whole Friday felt like a blur. I was on my feet non-stop, talking, listening, learning. And that’s the part that stuck with me: I wasn’t there to pitch. I was there to listen.

Listening to people just starting out. Listening to suppliers looking to connect. Listening to the mix of excitement and nerves that comes with launching something new.

By the end of it, I felt tired but energised. And proud. Proud to have been on that stand not just for GlampLaunch, but for the wider industry through GITA. It’s a responsibility, sure, but also a privilege.

 

Wrapping Up

My first time representing GITA at The Glamping Show was one of those days I’ll look back on as a turning point.

The conversations made two things clear:

• There’s a massive appetite for glamping in the UK.

• The industry is ready for a strong, collective voice.

I’ll keep sharing these behind-the-scenes experiences here on Inside GlampLaunch. If you’re interested in what’s next for GITA and the industry as a whole, stick around.

Also, if you missed it, have a read of my earlier post: GITA Welcomes Taylor Glass as Director: A New Voice for UK Glamping Industry

 

Summary

• Taylor Glass attended The Glamping Show 2025 for the first time as a GITA Director, representing the wider industry rather than GlampLaunch alone.

• Visitor questions focused on planning, tax, and insurance,  exactly the areas GITA was created to support.

• GITA (founded in September 2024) is just over a year old and has already surpassed 100 members in its first 12 months.

• Industry mood at the show was confident despite wider economic uncertainty; UK glamping is forecast to grow from £93.9m in 2024 to £260m by 2033 (IMARC).

• The show highlighted that glamping success goes beyond pods. Experiences like firepits, woodland walks, and local partnerships are what make sites stand out.

• Overall takeaway: the UK glamping sector has a huge appetite and needs a collective voice, with GITA positioned to lead that growth.

 

FAQs

1. What is The Glamping Show, and when did it take place in 2025?

The Glamping Show is the UK’s biggest annual event for the glamping industry, featuring pods, suppliers, and seminars. In 2025, it ran from 18–20 September at Stoneleigh Park.

 

2. What kind of questions did new glamping site owners ask at the show?

Most visitors were just starting their glamping journey, asking about planning permission, tax setup, and insurance. These are exactly the areas where GITA provides guidance and resources.

 

3. How fast is GITA growing as an organisation?

Even though GITA is less than a year old, membership is already close to 100 members, showing strong demand for a dedicated trade body in the UK glamping industry.

 

4. What does the future of the UK glamping market look like?

The outlook is very positive. The market was valued at £93.9 million in 2024 and is projected to reach £260 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 10.73% from 2025 onwards (IMARC).

5. What was Taylor Glass doing at The Glamping Show UK 2025?

Taylor Glass attended The Glamping Show 2025 not as a supplier, but as a newly appointed Director of the Glamping Industry Trade Association (GITA). He represented the industry impartially, supporting site owners and suppliers while answering key questions on planning, tax, and insurance.

6. When is the next Glamping Show?

The next Glamping Show will take place in September 2026 at NAEC Stoneleigh Park. Click here to learn more.

 

7. Where else can I find GITA?

If you missed us at The Glamping Show in September 2025, you can find us next at the Land, Leisure & Tourism Show on 5–6 November 2025 at the NEC Birmingham.