If you are interested in operating a permanent or temporary (event specific) campsite or glamping site you are required to follow the registration process outlined below.
Planning your development
Visit Isle of Man commissioned a ‘Non-Serviced Accommodation Study’ in 2017 to understand where there is potential for non-serviced accommodation growth and development. We would be happy to share a copy of this Study with you to help inform your planning.
Grants for new campsites and glamping sites
The Department for Enterprise currently offers financial assistance in the form of a grant towards the creation of new campsite and glamping accommodation. If your new business idea meets the criteria below, contact the Enterprise Support Team to find out if you are eligible for a grant by clicking here.
What do I need to do first?
Call the Visit Isle of Man Business Support team for an initial discussion and to arrange an advisory visit. The team will be happy to help you to understand the registration process and can answer any questions you may have.
Telephone: +44 (0) 1624 686853
Email: tourismquality@gov.im
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Visit Isle of Man Advisory Visit - the team will take an initial look at your property or development and provide guidance.
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Planning Permission - to use the land as a campsite. If you are erecting Glamping units, this should be mentioned in your application. You may wish to familiarise yourself with the ‘Policy on the development of Non-Serviced Accommodation’ approved in 2019 .
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Building Control - for glamping units. Temporary structures or tents are not required to apply for Building Control approval
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Fire Safety Advice - to be followed
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Fire Risk Assessment - to be completed
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Environmental Health Approval (if providing food)- to provide food to visitors you must be registered as a food business with the Department for Environment, Food and Agriculture
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Insurance - prior to registration confirmation of public liability insurance is required (minimum £2 million)
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Access Statement - to be created
You will then:
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Complete the Registration Form and submit along with the Registration Fee. At this stage you can choose to take part in a number of marketing initiatives:
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Display the Registration Certificate provided in the accommodation
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Create your accommodation profile on visitisleofman.com
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Advertise your property and welcome your first visitors!
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Your details will be passed to our independent assessment team to organise your Star Rating Assessment visit. (Only permanent campsites and glamping sites will receive a bi-annual star rating assessment visit)
There is a registration fee of £50 to register a Campsite or Glamping Site You are required to complete a registration form and submit payment for your accommodation every year, by February.
What next?
Once the site is registered and you have received your certificate which is to be displayed on the site for visitors to see, you can advertise your site on your choice of platforms (Booking.com, Expedia, Airbnb, websites, social media, magazines). You will receive a log in for the official tourism website visitisleofman.com to advertise your site free of charge. This is the ‘shop window’ to the Isle of Man and we would encourage you to create your profile. Please remember to use high quality images and include all of the information you can to showcase your accommodation.
Star rating assessment - only applicable to permanent campsites and glamping sites
The Visit Isle of Man team sends a list of all registered accommodation to the independent accommodation assessors from Quality in Tourism (QiT). The assessors will contact you to arrange a visit to your site and will provide you with a star rating. You will also receive a report and constructive feedback from the assessors. This visit will be repeated every 2 years to ensure the quality levels of the accommodation is operating at the correct star level.
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'Great4' Schemes - designed to assure visitors that participating businesses provide tailored services and facilities to meet their specific needs.
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'Access4' Schemes - help promote your business to potential visitors who may have additional access needs.
