How Starlink Satellite Internet is Transforming Glamping in the Philippines: The Next Big Thing in Short-Term Rentals

Alfer
Bed & Breakfast
Published in
3 min readMar 3, 2023

The Philippines has always been a go-to destination for travelers seeking adventure and stunning natural landscapes. The country’s short-term rental industry has been booming over the past few years, with many tourists opting to stay in Airbnb accommodations rather than traditional hotels. According to data from Airbnb, Filipino hosts contributed USD 1 billion to the country’s GDP and supported over 160,000 jobs in 2019. Guests on Airbnb spent over USD 930 million, representing 1.2% of the country’s total tourism spending in the same year.

Nacpan Glamping Site

Glamping, or glamorous camping, is a type of outdoor accommodation that combines the excitement of camping with the luxury of a hotel room. Instead of roughing it in a tent, guests stay in fully furnished and often extravagant tents, yurts, or other structures. Glamping has been growing in popularity around the world, and the Philippines is no exception.

According to a report by Market Research, the short-term rental industry in the Philippines was worth an estimated $1.2 billion in 2019. However, the industry took a major hit in 2020, dropping bookings by more than 80% compared to the previous year. This resulted in a loss of over $1 billion in revenue for the industry. As travel restrictions eased in 2021, the industry slowly began to recover, but it still has a long way to go.

Starlink satellite internet.

Photo Credits : Chris Lagman (posted on a Facebook Group)

With its high-speed, low-latency internet connection, Starlink is set to revolutionize the way people experience the great outdoors. Glamping sites can now offer their guests all the comforts of home, including streaming movies and TV shows, video conferencing with friends and family, and even remote work capabilities.

This new level of connectivity is likely to attract a whole new market of travelers who may have previously been hesitant to book a glamping experience. According to a recent survey, 90% of glamping guests say that access to reliable internet is essential when choosing a site. With Starlink, glamping operators can now provide this service, giving them a competitive edge in the market.

The increasing interest in hiking and outdoor activities among Millennials and Gen Z has contributed to the growth of the glamping industry in the Philippines. As more young people seek out unique and immersive travel experiences, glamping offers a perfect combination of adventure and luxury. This trend is expected to continue, with the global glamping industry projected to be worth between $6 billion and $9 billion by 2025, providing a lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors in the Philippines.

Glamping is also an eco-friendly alternative to traditional hotels, with many sites focused on sustainable practices and responsible tourism. This aligns with the growing trend among travelers to choose environmentally friendly accommodations.

In conclusion, the short-term rental industry in the Philippines has been through a difficult year, but with the introduction of Starlink satellite internet, a new era of glamping is set to take off. With its high-speed, reliable internet connection, glamping operators can now offer their guests all the comforts of home while enjoying the great outdoors. The glamping industry is poised for significant growth in the coming years, with a projected revenue increase of 25% it has huge potential of becoming a billion $ niche by 2025. With its focus on sustainability and responsible tourism, glamping is set to become the next big thing in the Philippine’s travel industry.

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Alfer
Bed & Breakfast

Hi I'm Alfer. I'm an outdoor junkie and loves to write about travel, vacation rentals, remote work, accounting and finance trends, & Tech. :)