Updated : Mar 28, 2025
Customer type: Host/Owner
Property Type: Campground, RV & Holiday Park
Region: South America
Products: Market Dashboard
Number of units: 1-5
Executive Summary
Gabriel Sierra, the founder of Tiny Pines, a glamping village in Honduras, leveraged PriceLabs’ Market Dashboards to make informed decisions that were instrumental in shaping his business. From determining the ideal location to selecting high-demand amenities, the data-driven insights from Market Dashboards empowered Gabriel to optimize his investments and create a standout hospitality experience. This case study highlights how data-centric tools can enable operators to make strategic decisions in niche markets.
About Tiny Pines
Tiny Pines is a family-owned glamping village in the scenic landscapes of Honduras, founded by Gabriel Sierra, and operated along with his sister, who contributes as a property manager. Over the past year, Tiny Pines has become a sought-after destination, combining a personal touch with customer-focused amenities. By engaging with potential customers on social media during the development phase, Tiny Pines created a unique connection that continues to resonate with its guests. The business prides itself on delivering memorable experiences, with customers often expressing a deep connection to the design and amenities they helped shape through feedback.
Market Dashboards for Crucial Decisions
Tiny Pines’ journey began with a significant challenge: choosing a location and identifying the right investments in the underexplored Honduran glamping market. Gabriel discovered PriceLabs’ Market Dashboards in 2021 and began using them to gather crucial insights.
Key applications of Market Dashboards:
- Location Decision: Gabriel compared markets in the United States and Honduras. Data from Market Dashboards revealed a faster path to scaling in Honduras, cementing his decision to build locally.
- Amenity Selection: Initially, Gabriel assumed a pool would be the most desired amenity. However, Market Dashboards showed a higher demand for private hot tubs, particularly among couples. Armed with this insight, Tiny Pines invested in hot tubs for every unit, a feature that became a competitive advantage.
- Understanding the Market: Gabriel learned to interpret key metrics such as lead times, occupancy rates, and revenue estimates. He also studied the distribution of unit types and desirable amenities in the area, ensuring that Tiny Pines met market demand effectively.
- Tailored Offerings: Market Dashboards’ user-friendly interface and educational tooltips allowed Gabriel to make informed decisions without being a data expert, enabling him to provide a personalized yet data-backed experience.
Why Gabriel Loves Market Dashboards
When asked about his favorite aspects of PriceLabs’ Market Dashboards, Gabriel highlighted several features that made the tool indispensable in building Tiny Pines:
- Educational Tooltips and Intuitive Interface: “The legends and tooltips were very useful for me. They taught me what the metrics meant, making it easy to understand and act on the data—even as someone new to the dashboard.”
- Customizable Radius for Market Insights: Gabriel appreciated the ability to analyze data within specific geographical areas: “Being able to set a radius—whether 25 or 50 miles—and analyze the competition and their revenue projections gave us the edge we needed to make strategic decisions.”
- Amenity Demand Insights: Market Dashboards revealed critical data about guest preferences, such as the unexpected popularity of hot tubs. “The data on amenities helped us focus on what customers truly value. Knowing what guests prioritize in their booking decisions made our offerings stand out.”
- Comprehensive Market Metrics: Key performance indicators like occupancy rates, lead times, and unit distribution were instrumental for decision-making: “The ability to see how competitors operate and estimate their revenue helped us benchmark our goals and refine our strategy.”
Advice for Other Operators
Gabriel’s advice to aspiring operators in the glamping and campground industry:
- Balance Intuition with Data: Use tools like Market Dashboards to guide your decisions but layer on your intuition and customer insights for a holistic approach.
- Engage Early with Customers: Don’t wait until your business is operational to collect feedback. Leverage platforms like Instagram and TikTok to involve customers in the development process, creating a sense of ownership and anticipation.
- Focus on Hospitality: Remember, you’re in the business of creating experiences, not just providing units. If you’re not naturally inclined toward hospitality, hire someone who is passionate about it.
- Validate with Data: Whether it’s breakfast offerings or unit design, cross-check customer feedback with market data to ensure your decisions align with demand.
“There’s this misconception that you need to be good at math to understand data, but Market Dashboards made it intuitive and accessible.”
– Gabriel Sierra, Founder, Tiny Pines
