In outdoor tourism, shade has become a premium service: Pacchiani Holz’s response

There was a time when the veranda of a mobile home was little more than “a place to put a table and a couple of deckchairs”. Today, that is no longer enough. In contemporary open-air hospitality, outdoor areas have become an essential part of the guest experience. The quality of shade, thermal comfort and liveability now plays an increasingly important role in how guests perceive their holiday as a whole.

Recent summers, marked by high temperatures and more frequent heatwaves, have accelerated a shift that was already taking place in the open-air sector. Campsites and holiday parks are rethinking the design of their accommodation areas with a clear goal: to make outdoor spaces genuinely comfortable and usable for much of the day. It is no longer just about adding a practical shelter, but about creating welcoming environments that match the standards of today’s mobile homes and enhance the perceived value of the entire stay.

According to Pacchiani Holz, the Italian company specialised in the design and production of timber structures for the open-air hospitality sector, the role of the veranda has changed significantly in recent years. Once seen mainly as protection from sun or rain, it has now become a true extension of the mobile home’s living space: an area where guests spend a substantial part of their holiday.

Families eat outdoor, work remotely, relax, read, socialise and enjoy much of their holiday in semi-open spaces. This is also reshaping the requests made to manufacturers. Operators are no longer simply looking for standard structures, but for solutions that combine design, functionality, durability and architectural integration with the latest accommodation units.

As a result, the technical quality of verandas has become a key factor. In outdoor environments, these structures are exposed for months to sun, rain, humidity, wind and, in many destinations, salt air. For campsites, durability has become essential not only from an operational perspective, but also from an economic one. Today, the sustainability of an investment is increasingly measured by its ability to maintain performance, structural stability and appearance over time, while reducing the need for maintenance and replacement.

From this point of view, manufacturing know-how makes all the difference. Pacchiani Holz produces both standard and bespoke verandas specifically designed for the open-air sector, focusing on accurate workmanship, carefully selected materials, protective treatments and certified solutions developed for intensive use and long seasonal occupancy. These are details that guests may not notice, but they are crucial for ensuring reliability and continuity for hospitality businesses.

For operators, the real difference today is not only how a veranda looks, but how well it performs over time. Pacchiani Holz uses certified timber from PEFC supply chains and develops structures designed to withstand intensive use and extended seasonal stays. Water-based protective treatments, free from harmful substances, CNC machining precision and the possibility of fire-retardant certification are increasingly important for accommodation facilities that need to combine durability, safety and sustainability.

At the same time, the aesthetic language of verandas is also evolving. New mobile homes, particularly in the premium and glamping segments, feature increasingly refined designs, contemporary lines and a strong focus on landscape integration. Outdoor areas must therefore contribute to a consistent and recognisable image for the property. Wood remains one of the most appreciated materials precisely because it combines visual warmth, natural integration with the surroundings and structural strength.

In many cases, the veranda also directly increases the commercial value of the accommodation. A well-designed outdoor area improves perceived comfort, enhances the visual impact of the mobile home and can play a tangible role in helping a campsite position itself in a higher market segment. It is no coincidence that many accommodation units are now designed with the outdoor space as an integral part of the guest experience, rather than as a simple add-on.

In modern open-air hospitality, in short, the guest experience extends well beyond the walls of the accommodation. That is why shade has now become a premium service.