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Statistics and Trends
I have stood on my soap box for years talking about the wisdom of running a green B&B. I've been asked several times to review how much money is saved by conserving water and energy, only two of the resources I urge innkeepers to conserve. Here is a list of statistics about the actual resource savings for you to apply your water and energy rates to for coming up with how much you will save by implementing an environmentally friendly operations program.
Continue reading "Green Business Plan Statistics for an Environmentally Friendly Hotel" »
Part of owning and operating a successful business is knowing what your primary intent is, or your business focus. When the merchants along the main street of Boulder, Colorado, decided to create a pedestrian mall, they first discussed what their purpose was in forming a pedestrian mall. Initially they thought the focus was to create a merchandising center, but with further conversation they realized that they really were creating a place that was safe for people of all walks of life to come together and interact. Boulder's Pearl Street Mall is one of the most successful pedestrian malls in the country because the merchants understood what they were creating, and have been faithful to that vision during its almost thirty years of existence. Similarly, a B&B inn's purpose might not simply be "a lodging property," but rather a place to provide a fun and safe time while at the inn.
Continue reading "Changing Times: B&B Income Diversity and Profit" »
The B&B industry is in transition: from young to maturing, from "build it and they will come" to targeted marketing, and from undefined to defined market niche. Defining the inn's brand -- or market niche -- gives innkeepers the competitive edge they need to flourish, not just survive. Guests' wants and needs have changed through the years; it's important to understand those changes so the innkeeper can react and the B&B can thrive.
Continue reading "Changing Times: B&B Market Niche" »
You know it when you see it and use it, but what is it about a bed and breakfast website that makes it good? Your website is an imperative B&B marketing tool. The quality of the website creates the first impression of your inn and hospitality; it sets the tone for the guest experience.
Continue reading "Changing Times: Website Design" »
When the B&B industry was entering its growth phase about 25 years ago, few innkeepers entering the business thought about how they would get out. Reasons for that lack of planning include thinking they'd be innkeepers forever and believing there would be a line of potential innkeepers waiting to buy their operating B&B. Instead, what we find today are buyers savvier and better educated than they were 25 years ago, at a time when there's a glut on the market, despite, or because of a continued rise in prices.
Continue reading "Changing Times: Your Exit Strategy" »
Perspective on the industry changes with your longevity in the business. For those who've been around awhile now, you've seen tremendous changes in the business approach and the guest experience. What has changed and what has stayed the same? You may be surprised by my observations. Even more important, all of us will see lots of changes in the coming years. Having some perspective on the past will help you prepare for the future.
Continue reading "Changing Times: A 20 Year Window to the B&B Industry" »
The hospitality conference I attended in London was the usual eye opener for me. Being in Europe, the conference had a distinctly European focus with shared information regarding how the ten new members of the European Union are going to affect the economy and business.
Continue reading "B&B Trends for 2005" »
Dispelling Myths:
B&B Styles: The Painted Lady vs The Modern Gal
Do you think that a B&B "must" be in a Victorian house? Does that attract you to the business or repel you? I have heard many people comment that they would love to be a B&B innkeeper, except they hate Victorian so just can't bring themselves to pursue their dream further. What a shame! I also have heard many B&B guests comment on the challenge of finding non-Victorian B&Bs to frequent. That sounds like an opportunity to me!
Continue reading "Architectural House Styles and B&Bs" »
The Corporatization of B&Bs
I recently was asked how I felt about the franchising or corporate ownership of B&B inns and decided that was a good Innfo topic. To me corporate-owned (which includes franchises) and B&B are mutually exclusive concepts. I have seen a trend towards corporate-owned inns and have heard about some big franchise/corporate projects. For many years I've watched innkeepers move out of their inns, often turning their room/apartment into more guestrooms. Sometimes the change works and sometimes it doesn't; "working" meaning that it feels like a B&B rather than a hotel.
Continue reading "Corporate Owned Bed and Breakfasts" »
I attended both the National Association of REALTORS fall conference and the B&B Innkeepers of Colorado (BBIC) annual conference in November. The message I heard in both places related to the general U.S. population migrating to the country for both living and vacationing.
Continue reading "B&B Guests Migrating to the Country" »
September 11 Attacks And The Recession.
I mentioned last month, As I mentioned last month, I attended the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) meeting in Santa Fe, NM. You can imagine, there were several points of view shared. Most people were positive about the travel industry's future, near and long-term, and predict that the impact of the attacks will have minimal affect on the lodging industry. In fact, according to Smith Travel Research, occupancy and room rates have returned to almost the same point they were before the attacks. What can't be quantified is what the recession will do to the industry. For this issue, I'll focus on the group's consensus on how to survive in a down market.
Continue reading "Surviving the Recession with your B&B" »
In October, I travelled to Budapest, Hungary, to be initiated as a new member of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants. This is a group of senior independent consultants, working in various and diverse areas of the hospitality field. The members work worldwide and represent countries in all corners of the globe.
Continue reading "Europe and Tourism in the 21st Century" »
In reading an article on marketing, I saw a statement that got me to thinking about market niche and its value to B&B innkeepers. The statement, made by Peter Yesawich of Yesawich, Pepperdine, and Brown, who does market research for the travel industry, was that consumer activism has risen to an all-time high.
Continue reading "B&B Market Niche Definition" »
I recently attended a conference of hospitality consultants. One session I sat in I thought was important to share with you. The statistics are from the hotel industry but I believe they are just
as valuable and pertinent for the B&B industry. STR (Smith Travel Report) tracks lodging trends and Randy Smith, STR's founder, presented this information.
Continue reading "Bed and Breakfast Market Research" »
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