Shows
Good Morning HospitalityGMO: Glamping Growth, Campground Closures, and a Public Lands WinOn this week’s Good Morning Outdoors, Matt Whitermore and Alex Burkett cover the latest headlines shaping the outdoor travel space. A major public lands sell-off proposal has been removed from the House budget bill—a big win for access advocates.
Meanwhile, a Florida KOA campground is shutting down after being acquired for a state infrastructure project.
Hipcamp is ramping up its nationwide expansion to bring more campgrounds online, and we explore what’s happening with the wave of RV buyers from the COVID boom—are they sticking with it or moving on?
We also...2025-05-2949 min
Good Morning HospitalityGMO: Memorial Weekend Adventures, RV Wellness Trends & Campground UpgradesThis week on GMO, the crew looks ahead to Memorial Day adventures—Alex Burkett is planning a trip to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, while Matt Whitermore recently visited Ferncrest Promised Land for a franchise discovery day (shoutout to Ferncrest and Brian Linton!).
The team explores how wellness tourism continues to shape RV travel, with more parks offering yoga, meditation, and guided nature walks. A new Pilot/Campspot survey shows campers are favoring shorter trips to national parks and small towns within 200 miles.
We also unpack how the 2026 GMI requirements on new RVs are pressuring campgrounds to upgra...2025-05-2245 min
Good Morning HospitalityGMO: Park Cuts, Covered Bridge Recap, and Sun’s Q1 SnapshotOn this episode of Good Morning Outdoors, Matt Whitermore and Alex Burkett return with updates from the road, including Matt’s real estate gala trip and a recap of the Covered Bridge Campsite BBQ and beer event.
We dive into the proposed $1.25 billion cut to the National Park Service and the outdoor industry’s response, including support for the newly introduced America the Beautiful Act.
Plus, we break down Sun Communities & Sun RV Resorts’ Q1 results, Newbook’s new platform for small parks, and fresh data from The Dyrt showing the rise of tent and car camp...2025-05-0843 min
Good Morning HospitalityGMO: Outdoorsy Escapes, RV Shipments Surge, & Bolt Farm Gets First Floating Mirror Cabin!On this episode of Good Morning Outdoors, Matt Whitermore and Alex Burkett are joined by special guest-hosts Tori and Seth Bolt of Bolt Farm Treehouse, who share exciting news about bringing America’s first floating mirror cabin to life. The Bolts give us a behind-the-scenes look at what inspired the concept, what guests can expect, and how it aligns with their mission to create once-in-a-lifetime stays rooted in nature.
We also dive into a growing conversation around glamping’s corporate evolution, spurred by a recent Thrillist article exploring how major investment might actually enhance the traveler experience.
2025-05-0152 min
Good Morning HospitalityGMO: Outdoor Market Outlook, Big Bookings, and Fresh Acquisitions in 2025On this episode of Good Morning Outdoors, Matt Whitermore and Alex Burkett are back to cover the latest shifts shaping outdoor hospitality and travel.We kick things off with a look at the current state of the outdoor retail market and what growth or stability could look like in 2025, as reported by the Outdoor Industry Association. From shifting consumer behavior to strategic bets on product and brand alignment, we break down what it all means for operators and guests alike.Then we head into the world of deals and...2025-04-2435 min
Good Morning HospitalityGMO: KOA’s 2025 Report, Gen Z Goes RVing, & Guest-Host, Christine TaylorOn this week’s episode of Good Morning Outdoors, Alex Burkett holds down the fort while Matt Whitermore away at a conference, and we’re joined by a very special guest-host, Christine Taylor. Chrissy brings a unique perspective to the show, with a background that spans campgrounds, compliance, and now law, as she wraps up her legal career at Goldberg Segalla.We dive into the brand-new 2025 Kampgrounds of America, Inc. Report and what the data reveals about shifting consumer preferences in the outdoor space.Then...2025-04-1136 min
Good Morning HospitalityUnder Canvas Expands, HolaCamp Raises €10M, and RV Rides Hits the RoadOn today’s episode of Good Morning Outdoors, Matt Whitermore and Alex Burkett cover some big moves in the outdoor and alternative accommodation space. Under Canvas Inc. has officially launched its new Outdoor Collection brand with the acquisition of The Fields of Michigan, marking a strategic expansion into uniquely local, nature-connected properties. Over in Europe, HolaCamp has secured €10 million in funding to grow its outdoor lodging marketplace across the continent. Meanwhile, Harvest Hosts is rolling out a new RV ride-pooling feature—dubbed “RV Rides”—that could shake up transportation in the camping and RV world. 2025-04-0342 min
Good Morning HospitalityGMO: Oculis Lodge Shuts Down, Under Canvas Invests Big, and RV Trends to WatchOn this episode of Good Morning Outdoors, we kick things off with the collapse of Oculis Lodge, a once-hyped glamping project near Mount Baker that raised $1.2 million through crowdfunding and promised 35 luxury domes—but only ever delivered one. With the property now listed for sale, we unpack the fallout and lessons for the industry.Next, Under Canvas Inc. announces a record $50 million internal investment to elevate the guest experience and expand with new locations in California and the Pacific Northwest.We also cover Modern America Campgrounds’ new loyalty program, “Freedo...2025-03-2739 min
Good Morning HospitalityGMO: Glamping’s Boom, RV Bans, Outdoor Awards, and Outdoor Travel ShiftThis week on Good Morning Outdoors, Alex Burkett and Matt Whitermore break down the biggest shifts in outdoor hospitality. Glamping is on fire, with projections pushing the market past $1.3 billion—major hotel brands are paying attention, and travelers are demanding more luxury in nature. The Campspot and Dyrt Awards just dropped, revealing what makes a top-tier campground in 2025.Meanwhile, Congaree National Park has banned RVs indefinitely, citing fragile ecosystems and infrastructure concerns. With millions of Americans planning RV trips this spring, is this the start of a bigger trend? Pl...2025-03-2036 min
Good Morning HospitalityLuxury Camping in Nashville, AutoCamp Expands, The Dyrt’s 2025 TrendsIn this episode of Good Morning Outdoors, Matt Whitermore & Alex Burkett cover the latest in outdoor hospitality, including Northgate Resorts’s plans for a 200-acre luxury camping resort near Nashville and AutoCamp’s newest expansion into Sequoia. We also dive into The Dyrt’s 2025 Camping Report, uncovering key trends in RV travel, reservation habits, and pet-friendly camping. Plus, we break down the latest RV shipment forecasts and what they signal for the industry. Tune in for all the top stories shaping camping and glamping!----Good Morning Hospitality is part of the Hospit...2025-03-1342 min
Good Morning HospitalityGMO: Adventure Travel, Glamping Controversies, and Outdoor Hospitality TrendsIn this episode of Good Morning Outdoors, Matt Whitermore & Alex Burkett dive into the booming world of adventure travel—what it really means, the top destinations, source markets, and the activities fueling its growth. We also break down the difference between adventure tourism and ecotourism, exploring the seven key principles that define sustainable travel.In industry news, we discuss the recent listing of the Spacious Skies Campgrounds portfolio, the latest earnings reports from Sun Communities & Sun Outdoors & and Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc., and the growing backlash against Under Canvas Inc. new glamping site. Plus, a...2025-03-0642 min
Good Morning HospitalityGood Morning Outdoors Debut: Blackstone’s Bold Play, DOGE’s Outdoor Cuts & Fyre Fest 2.0?The first-ever episode of Good Morning Outdoors is here with Matt Whitermore and Alex Burkett! We’re diving into Blackstone’s $5.65B acquisition of Safe Harbor Marinas—what does this mean for the future of outdoor recreation and waterfront access? Plus, DOGE is making significant cuts to public lands agencies, and the Outdoor Alliance says it could spell disaster for recreation and conservation. And finally, could we be witnessing Fyre Fest 2.0? We break down the latest controversy and what’s really happening in the RV and o...2025-02-2738 min
Outdoor Hospitality WeeklyBreaking Down the Numbers: Instagram Giveaway Campaign - Part 3In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly, host Alex Burkett takes the reins to break down the results of our recent Instagram Giveaway for Covered Bridge Campsite. We’re diving into the numbers, analyzing what worked, and sharing key takeaways to help you run more effective promotions for your campground.From engagement stats to lessons learned, Alex walks you through the data and provides actionable insights to improve your own giveaway marketing strategies. If you want to boost participation and drive results in your next campaign, this episode is packed with valuable tips.Don’t miss...2024-12-2312 min