Welcome to Outdoor Insider - a round up of the latest outdoor lodging industry happenings by the Asia Pacific Outdoor Lodging Association. If you are a glamping operator or a supplier, enjoy a world of benefits, insights and practical tips by joining APOLA here.

APOLA hosted a workshop the Global Sustainable Tourism Council Conference in Phuket, 22 April. The session, entitled, “The Development and Management of High Quality and Sustainable Outdoor Lodging Properties,” was facilitated by APOLA executive committee member Shyn Yee Ho-Strangas of Horwath HTL. The audience heard that the APAC outdoor lodging market was valued at US$640 million in 2024 and is projected to reach US$1 billion by 2031. APAC is currently the fastest-growing region, supported by land availability, rising investor interest and demand for nature-based travel.

A case study on Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape in Bali, was presented by Puspa Anggareni and Dharmali Kusumadi of the Banyan Group, an APOLA member. The unique 16-key property – 21 years in development – was used to examine vital decisions about site planning, open-air architecture, and long-term commercial positioning.

Breakout discussions with APOLA executive committee members Willem Niemeijer, Koko Tang and John Roberts addressed questions such as site selection, sustainability, construction constraints in remote locations, managing guest expectations, and financing structures for low key-count properties.

Leave your expectations at the non-existent door. Welcome to Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape, a 16-key open-air retreat set in a forested highland valley north of Ubud, Bali. Every unit is a fully open balé — no walls, no doors, no air conditioning. The property opened in June 2022 after 16 design iterations. Today, the average daily rate sits in the US$700–850 range. Occupancy averages 55% across three years and is growing at 5% annually. GOP margin runs at 35–40%, all achieved without a ballroom, conventional amenities, or air conditioning. Buahan holds Travelife Gold and EarthCheck Silver certifications and has received recognition from MICHELIN, Condé Nast Traveller, and TIME. The core finding for developers and investors: low key-count and nature-immersive design can deliver strong financial returns without conventional resort infrastructure. The full case study, prepared by APOLA in collaboration with Banyan Group and Horwath HTL, is available for members here.

The agenda at the Eco Resort Network conference at Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai 17-19 May is chock full of mouth-watering subjects. Pioneers in outdoor lodging leaders will share their hard-earned experiences and insights on community relations, ethics, sustainability, humanising the latest technology, creating a brand with integrity, and designing a destination trip that defies categorisation. APOLA will kick off proceedings with the latest insights into glamping trends across Asia Pacific. There will be plenty of informal networking opportunities, amazing tastes and experiences across the two days. Program and full event details are here. APOLA members are eligible for a special attendee rate.

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Kanopya Living has announced the launch of its premium eco-responsible lodges. The first model, Kanopya Harmony, is now open for visits (by appointment) in Saigon. The lodges are genuine wooden structures, thermally and acoustically insulated, offering day and night comfort. The Kanopya approach combines elegance, luxury, sustainability, and performance, specifically: low-carbon architecture, excellent durability and low maintenance, stilt construction, short lead times, but with consistent quality. For full concept and technical spec email Charles at contact@kanopya-living.com.

GlamXperience is installing four luxury safari tents at Discovery Resorts Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia. Wilpena Pound already offers safari tents from Eco Structures — an example of APOLA members working in tandem for the success of a project. The operator's decision to offer multiple tent styles reflects a strong trend: variety within a single property supports repeat bookings and provides fresh content for marketing. Read more about the Wilpena Pound set up here or visit https://www.glamxperience.com.au/

Cardamom Tented Camp in Cambodia has released its latest sustainability impact report, inspired by the 4Cs framework of The Long Run. In 2025 16 forest rangers conducted 620 patrols covering 7,700 kilometres on foot. The rangers removed 819 snares, dismantled 15 illegal incursion camps and confiscated 22 chainsaws. Two Sunda pangolins were rescued. Plans include more community involvement and an artist-in-residence program. Watch the impact report video above or download the full report here.

A pre-forum technical workshop focuses on evidence-based destination marketing across the Greater Mekong Subregion. APOLA member, Willem Niemeijer, CEO of YAANA Ventures, is a speaker. More: https://mekongtourism.org/mekong-tourism-forum-2026/