“Lovers of the Great Outdoors”

More than creativity, Eveline Boucarut, CFO of Huttopia North America, brought expertise and a new vision to the company. She was able to structure and get solutions adapted to the challenges of growth and the necessary rigor. Eveline knows, through her experience, to impose herself in a sometimes-complex environment. She keeps the distance required to control and manage projects and diverse teams.

Her self-motivation and inspiration come from working for passionate and creative entrepreneurs. Throughout her career, she has evolved in different entrepreneurial environments. She started as a CPA in France, assisting start-ups to middle-sized companies, then joined EY in Montreal, Canada’s entrepreneurial group. After a few years as a corporate controller of a fast-growing private equity own company, she joined Huttopia to sustain North American growth.

Huttopia, a French company, is one of the world's references for sustainable tourism, nature camping, which is now commonly called glamping (glamorous camping). Philippe and Celine Bossanne founded Huttopia in France in 1999. Lovers of the Great Outdoors discovered the North American way of camping in Canada during their exile and decided to start a new adventure in Europe. Mixing comfort, quality of services, and natural light installations, Huttopia quickly became one of the leaders in Outdoor Hospitality. In 2008, the company started expanding in North America in partnership with Sepaq. In 2015, the brand opened its first North American site in Sutton (Cantons de l'Est - Quebec). After the success of the first Canadian site, Huttopia opened its first glamping resort in the United States.

Huttopia aims to host urban dwellers, families, couples, and friends in exceptional natural sites to live a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This concept blending nature and culture, simplicity and freedom, comfort and disconnection, is essential and needed by the growing urban society. Some numbers confirm this: over 70 sites worldwide, 20% growth each year, expanding on three continents (Europe, America, Asia). “And we're only starting! At Huttopia North America, we know our success is due to the men and women working with us every day, united by strong company values based on solidarity and trust. For us, quality work comes from employees who enjoy their work and their company,” says Eveline.

Huttopia continuously looks for remarkable places, meets extraordinary people, and builds the sustainable tourism of tomorrow that people expect. “We are a full integrated company. We research the land ourselves, we “design,” we also manufacture chalets and tents, we built the site, and we then manage it,” explains Eveline. “In addition to all of this more than 95% of reservations are made directly on our web site and through our booking center. We have the ability to adapt our accommodations and infrastructures to the natural environment, climate, local cultures and traditions and regulations.” They integrate into nature and optimize their resources (energy and water). If necessary, we can leave and return the occupied space outdoors. This is the very origin of the campsite. Finally, Huttopia welcomes families searching for nature and simplicity but who also want a certain comfort.

Today more than 95% of reservations are made directly on Huttopia’s website and through their booking center. Digital is more than 80% of Huttopia’s bookings, and their communication is focused on digital. “There is no doubt that our strategy is built around our strong brand and making the best use of digital media and social networks.”

According to Eveline, “being able to establish ourselves in natural places that are difficult to access and bring in tourists is always a challenge. Our great pride is to succeed in settling down while respecting the environment and the populations, while creating value and jobs in isolated and sometimes impoverished territories.” Their collaboration with one of the oldest First Nations in North America is the best illustration: the Cree Outfitting and Tourism Association commissioned Huttopia to design a tent model for their community, inspired by traditions and lifestyles. Next year, the company will open two new sites in the USA (Florida and California) and work on new projects in Canada. “We hope to be able to provide access to nature to the greatest number and with the greatest diversity.” says Eveline. IEWL