Island Hospitality Management has launched IHM Outdoors, a dedicated division focused exclusively on outdoor and resort hospitality. The new division encompasses Recreational Vehicle resorts, vacation rentals, glamping and other outdoor hospitality options. The formal unveiling of IHM Outdoors follows the transition of five RV Resorts to IHM Outdoors management. The five properties contain approximately 2,000 sites in Chula Vista, Calif.; Paso Robles, Calif.; Santa Claus, Ind.; Larkspur, Colo.; and North Java, N.Y.
Gregg Forde, president and COO of Island Hospitality, emphasized the strategic significance of this move: “Outdoor hospitality is the fastest-growing segment in the hospitality industry,” he said in a statement. “We have built a dedicated division for outdoor hospitality that capitalizes on IHM’s thirty-five-year experience. We have seen how our long-standing experience in the hotel business has worked to the owner’s advantage once again as we apply proven principles of sales and revenue management together with our implementation of strict cost controls and operational efficiencies we have utilized for years.”
Today, the outdoor hospitality industry sees the majority of privately held properties owned and operated by smaller, single resort owners—presenting a substantial opportunity for consolidation and institutionalization and providing substantial growth opportunities for IHM Outdoors.
Drew Allison, executive vice president of operations at Island Hospitality, played a pivotal role in IHM Outdoors' development. "IHM Outdoors is led by a dedicated team exclusively focused on this new venture, utilizing their expertise to seamlessly integrate with our existing infrastructure, delivering results that mirror our best-in-class performance at Island Hospitality,” he said. A specialized team has been promoted to cover operations, human resources, accounting, revenue management and sales, which Allison said will ensure “a swift ramp-up and consistent delivery of outstanding performance.”
Hayden Schlosser, vice president of operations for this portfolio, said the parks deliver all-in-one experience for guests. “Everything from campfire cookouts and fully operational water park experiences to luxurious weekend getaway packages can be achieved on site. ... The rise of outdoor adventure has helped shift focus to ensure we are providing top-of-the-line amenities with a laid-back atmosphere and a sense of community. Whether it is creating co-working spaces for our extended-stay guests, having activities planned every hour or operating hay rides each evening, it all comes down to creating a community within the resort. It has been an amazing opportunity in our first year in outdoor hospitality, and I am excited to continue to grow this segment for Island Hospitality.”
Island Hospitality aims to further expand its footprint in the outdoor hospitality space and collaborate with institutional ownership groups that share their vision and values. IHM Outdoors is viewed as a long-term opportunity to diversify the portfolio, attract new customer segments and owners and enhance diverse growth opportunities for IHM associates.