Location for an eco dome / clamping concept

[Josh Feit]

Hello all -- I have been running STR rentals in the smoky mountains (PF / wears valley) for six years. I currently have three, but have bought / run / sold six others. At this point I am very familiar with the business and this particular market.

I am considering purchasing 10 acres or so of land for an eco dome / clamping concept with multiple glassy domes on the site. (Maybe 8-10 once it's all built out.) Of course I am considering Sevier County TN, but there are so many new rentals coming on in this market, and I am thinking the supply will outpace demand.

So, I have been looking into other markets for this concept -- namely Chattanooga, North Georgia, surrounding east Tennessee areas, and even NC Mountains (Robbinsville etc.)

In these other markets, land is about half the cost, and they are much less restrictive about the structures / STR regulations etc. But of course, a lot less people come to these areas for tourism.

Any preferences / ideas on a market that you think may work well for this concept? I'm in Atlanta, and I prefer a max of 3-4 hours in the car to get there.

Thanks!

[Anja Schaer]

Great concept! I'm an STR/MTR host & co-host in Metro Atlanta. Sevier County is getting saturated, so exploring emerging markets like North Georgia, Chattanooga, and East TN makes sense—especially near outdoor adventure spots.

Glamping properties thrive on direct bookings, social media marketing, and influencer partnerships rather than just Airbnb. Building a strong brand around the experience is key.

For lower-cost land with fewer restrictions, check out Blue Ridge, GA, or the Ocoee River area in TN—still close to Atlanta with growing tourism.