Wild Lotus Glamping is set on Valley Church beach, one of the most stunning secluded beaches you will find in Antigua. So, in the post pandemic tourism recovery and the clamour for ever more visitors to our shores, how do we keep it that way?
The impact of over intensive tourism development, weak public infrastructure and catastrophic natural events are an ever present reality in the Caribbean.
More intense tropical storms caused by climate change, coupled with plant diseases have taken its toll on the landscape of many beaches. That, combined with the increasing destruction of mangroves and degradation of beaches to build more hotels, threatens the very existence of the quintessential secluded beach, complete with swaying palm trees, where everyone wants to stay.
Wild Lotus is ever mindful of its responsibility to protect and preserve the sheer awe that Valley Church beach inspires. We take environmental sustainability seriously, for our future depends on it.
At the start of every season we pitch up the cutest Lotus Belle tents and replant coconut palms on the beach. At the end of the season we are gone, all that’s left is our footprints.
With just 5 tents along this gorgeous stretch of sand, and offering authentic experiences steeped in Antiguan culture, Wild Lotus Glamping is pioneering a form of tourism that places ‘visitor value’ over ‘visitor volume’. Value is not only measured in terms of how much the visitors spend. A more meaningful measure is the extent to which visitors are prepared to act, and share responsibility to protect our beautiful little island.
Glamping right on the beach in safety and seclusion, enjoying a CBD oil massage deep in the rainforest, cooking on a campfire on the beach and under the stars; these luxuries are less about price and more about authenticity and value. We need more responsible travelers to the Caribbean who can deeply appreciate and will help us to protect the value of what we offer.
Powered by the sun and nurtured by the rain. No crowds and no concrete. No environmental degradation.
Glamping is now a well established tourism accommodation trend in Europe and North America. Wild Lotus is the first to explore its potential to promote responsible tourism in the Caribbean.
The pop up nature of glamping structures has the potential to open up off grid, rural farms and rainforest spaces to establish amazing new micro tourism glamping businesses. Powered by the sun and nurtured by the rain. No crowds and no concrete. No environmental degradation. These values, which are aligned with the philosophy of responsible tourism, are far more in keeping with the true Caribbean, rather than the cookie cutter hotels built by multinational hotel chains.
What's more, glamping structures can be easily dismantled in the face of tropical storms. This means that the operating season can be extended, rolling with the weather forecast in real time rather than being bound by the notion of a set hurricane season which deters travelers between the months of June and November, and shortens the trading season to just six months.
Glamping is an eco-friendly type of tourism accommodation that gives the responsible traveler the chance to go beyond the ordinary, stay in unique locations and build meaningful relationships with local people.
It is these relationships that add the most value to the travel experience .The locals are your hosts, they live on the land and they want to share a little piece of their heritage with you. As responsible tourism innovators, Wild Lotus Glamping is working with landowners in Antigua & Barbuda to open up more remote beaches, rural farms and stunning pieces of rainforest. By working with the Wild Lotus brand, landowners in remote and rural locations have the chance to share their amazing spaces and culture with you.
Today the responsible traveler can offset the CO2 emissions on their flights at the click of a button in the booking process. Choosing sustainable accommodation options and authentic experiences is not so easy. We urge responsible travelers to search beyond the online travel agencies, contact local tourism associations and book direct. This action alone will increase your investment in the destination by an average of 15%. This can be critical for small islands whose economies are almost entirely dependent on tourism.
We know that glamping is a bit like marmite, you’ll either love or you’ll hate it. However, for those who are inspired, glamping is a truly unique experience of connection and renewal. Take the time to consider staying somewhere extraordinary, and take comfort in the knowledge that you’ve made a contribution towards ensuring that our 365 beaches will still be there in future to be enjoyed by all for generations to come.
