Glenn Haussman had a great chat with Christopher Henry, CAHTA, ISHC, hospitality consulting expert and CEO of the top hospitality consulting firm Majestic Hospitality. Th discussion touched on topics such as diversified hotel products and how alternative lodging is on the rise. It’s full of insightful thoughts from The Lodging Conference. You can watch the full video here or read the transcript below:

Host:
Hey everybody, your friendly neighborhood hospitality guy Glenn here, once again coming at you from the Lodging Conference. Sure, the Lodging Conference is a distant memory, but I am still here, and I’ve got myself Chris Henry of Majestic Hospitality.

Chris, one of the things I haven’t really heard too much about is this move into alternative lodging. I don’t mean Airbnb, I mean more focused on outside, nature, all that kind of stuff. How are you seeing it?

Chris Henry:
You know, it’s absolutely changing. I think that’s one of the good things that came out of COVID—people are getting out there, experiencing national parks, enjoying national forests, and just getting outside more.

Host:
For sure. And I’ll tell you, the hotel industry has been flirting with the idea of biophilic design for a lot of years, which is about bringing the outside in. Now, it feels like we’re fundamentally going outside with these products.

Chris Henry:
We are. Glamping is taking off, and there are other alternative forms like yurts and tents. We’re even seeing people using Airstream trailers. There are so many fun ways to get out of your home without being in a traditional hotel space.

Host:
Definitely. So, give me an idea of an interesting project you’re working on that fits in this category.

Chris Henry:
Yeah, actually, we’re doing a project in Costa Rica on the Osa Peninsula, which has 6% of the world’s biodiversity. We’re doing 30 luxury tents in the jungle, but also 30 traditional hotel rooms for people who want the best of both worlds.

Host:
Right, so they can have that outdoor adventure during the day but still come back to a more traditional room at night.

Chris Henry:
Exactly. It falls under the “soft adventure” category. We have what we call the “soft eco-tourist,” which is more your Four Seasons crowd. They want the adventure, but they also want the luxury. Then you have your “hard eco-tourist,” which is more like backpackers—people like me who still want something over our heads at night.

Host:
You need to create an “extra super soft” category for people like me. Maybe just carry me outdoors on a cot!

Chris Henry:
We can do that! We’ll find someone to wheel you around.

Host:
That would be great. But I think this is where the hospitality industry is headed.

Chris Henry:
You’re right. People have changed, and while we’ve flirted with these ideas before, developers are now starting to realize they can tap into a lot of unused potential.

Host:
Exactly. Not only is there unused potential, but there are also capital sources specifically lined up for these kinds of assets. Plus, the cost basis to get into these projects is significantly lower than traditional hotels, and the customer response is higher.

Chris Henry:
Exactly. Local communities and governments are also more open to these projects, especially near parks, because they know it’s a light environmental footprint, something they can support.

Host:
Right. And I think there’s an opportunity for companies to put glamping or RV trailers at multi-day festivals and concerts.

Chris Henry:
It’s coming. Festivals like Coachella could be the next wave.

Host:
For sure. I just heard that Phish announced a concert in Delaware next August. Instead of renting a luxury RV, why don’t you guys get in touch with them and create something? I think that’s the direction we need to go—luxury without the hassle of camping.

Chris Henry:
Exactly.

Host:
Chris, how can people learn more about you?

Chris Henry:
You can check out our website, MajesticHospitality.com. We’re happy to jump in and assist when needed.

Host:
Excellent. Thanks so much for being here, Chris. And thanks to our great sponsors, UNIFocus.com—technology that drives value. Thanks everyone for watching. I’m Glenn, that’s Chris Henry, and we’ll see you later!

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Christopher Henry, CAHTA, ISHC is a hospitality consulting expert and is CEO of Majestic Hospitality. Contact him today to discuss your hotel development or renovation project.