The outdoor resort market is growing fast, and many people want in. The question is how. Do you want to be the operator — building and running your own resort? Or would you be better served as an investor, owning part of a larger project and letting professionals handle operations?
There is no single right answer. But there are clear differences that matter when deciding which path fits you.
The Operator Path
Being an operator means owning your own project. The upside is control: the brand, the guest experience, the daily decisions. For many, it is deeply rewarding to watch a place grow from bare land into a working destination.
But it also comes with challenges. Land must be permitted, engineered, and connected. Infrastructure like water, septic, and power often costs more and takes longer than expected. Timelines stretch when suppliers overlap. Delays eat into budgets. And once open, the work does not stop: staffing, maintenance, guest service, and marketing all land on your desk.
If you are well-capitalized, have a strong piece of land, and want to be hands-on, this can be the right path. It offers independence — but it also requires resilience.
The Investor Path
Being an investor means putting capital into a project that someone else develops and runs. With Harmony, that often means joining a larger resort where the concept, design, build, and operations are already in expert hands.
The upside is clear: guaranteed ownership, secure returns, and no day-to-day management. You participate in the growth of the outdoor hospitality market without having to solve the hidden puzzles of permits, hookups, and approvals.
For those with limited budgets, uncertain land, or little experience in hospitality, this can be the smarter entry point. It reduces risk, provides clarity on returns, and lets you learn the business before deciding whether to build a site of your own.
Which Is Right for You
The decision comes down to appetite for risk, time, and involvement.
- If you have the land, the budget, and the drive to operate — the operator path can be a fit.
- If your capital is limited, your land is unconfirmed, or you prefer a more secure and passive role — the investor path may serve you better.
In both cases, the opportunity is real. Outdoor hospitality is not a passing trend. It is a growing segment where guests, operators, and investors are all looking for the same thing: comfort in nature, delivered with consistency.
