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B&Bs publish self-serving silver lining
A new survey by BedandBreakfast.com says that inn-goers are continuing to travel, despite news of an economic crisis and a drop-off in travel spending. North of 96 percent of respondents replied that they had stayed in a hotel in the past two years, and 85.5 percent reported staying in a bed and breakfast. A whopping 75 percent claim to be planning two to four getaways through September 30, 2009. And, the numbers just get rosier.
More than half of the respondents are planning to take as many trips as they did last year, and 25 percent are anticipating even more. Surprisingly ... (add a little sarcasm here) ... 84 percent said they're going to stay at a B&B on trips between now and the end of September. Of course, only 10 percent would admit to plans for a two-star hotel, with 46 percent 'fessing up to three-star hotel plans. Imagine that, from a B&B site that polls subscribers!
Peer pressure's a bitch.
Seventy-three percent are planning trips within 150 miles of home, and 62 percent are shooting for longer distances (with multiple trips between now and September 30, there's room for some overlap).
The best part – and this comes straight from the horse's mouth (i.e., the press release) – "BedandBreakfast.com survey respondents embrace the value represented by B&Bs."
Filed under: North America, United States, Hotels and Accommodations, News
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
InnkeeperVA Mar 19th 2009 5:41PM
I am so happy to hear something positive! Maybe everyone should toot their own, so to speak. Tourism is a huge part of our economy in this country - let's get them out there for overnights and road trips and keep America moving!
InnkeeperVA Mar 19th 2009 5:40PM
PS It was not that B&B's published their own self serving silver lining as the title says, it was an online directory.
Instead of doom and gloom let's do an about face and show support!
Erika Goodell Mar 20th 2009 9:26AM
Yes, the reporter should do their homework. Bedandbreakfast.com is an online directory, not a bed and breakfast inn. They make their money by promoting B&Bs and charging them a fee to be on the directory.
Very misleading to insinuate that this information comes from bed and breakfast inns themselves, even if our bookings are currently higher than last year.
C'ville innkeeper
Heather Mar 20th 2009 11:56AM
Bedandbreakfast.com's writer made no allusion to this being a survey of the general public--it is clearly a survey of individuals who subscribe to one of the mailing lists sponsored by bedandbreakfast.com. Who knows? Perhaps if a major hotel chain or two conducted a survey of past patrons or loyalty club members, they might discover similar findings. The underlying message could be that the American public is still travelling--either close to home or further flung.
Heather at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast in Joseph, OR
Kalaekilohana Mar 20th 2009 2:02PM
Muckraker publishes self-serving gloom and doom.
Rather than look carefully at the facts and the survey audience, a journalette elected to stir up controversy about an encouraging survey that shows bed and breakfast travelers will continue to travel and possibly expand their travel with bed and breakfasts, in many cases because bed and breakfasts are seen as a value option for first class travel.
BandBGoer Mar 20th 2009 4:09PM
I agree with the postings here. If this journalist wants to be fair, he should carefully read the press release posted in BedandBreakfast.com's Press Room. The release clearly stated that while the survey was sent to those who visited BedandBreakfast.com, 95% of those who responded said they'd stayed in a hotel in the last two years. A smaller percentage said they'd stayed at a B&B. Thus those who answered the survey were more likely to stay at a hotel then a B&B. Much of the recession woes are being fueled by negative stories, why can't we be thrilled to hear that people plan to travel to B&Bs this summer?
BandBGoer Mar 24th 2009 8:01AM
Hampton Terrace, the beautiful Gilded Age Cottage B&B referred to in the story above offers a lively blog. They shed more light on the bright side of travel for B&B goers. In a recent blog posting, Stan Rosen, blogger and innkeeper wrote....
"Things are tough for many people and it would seem that travel is an unnecessary expense for some at this point. However, research is showing that the vast majority of people are still planning, and say they still need, a break from their normal routine. So most do not plan to cut back on the number of days they plan to spend on vacation. What has changed is WHERE they are going.
Deep discounts notwithstanding, destination resorts such as Las Vegas and Hawaii are down. Cruise ship revenue is WAY down, although the ships are continuing to fill and sail with deeply discounted packages. Some destinations are doing okay during this recession, however, and Hampton Terrace is an example of that. BedandBreakfast.com is the #1 directory on the Internet, featuring 7,000+ b&bs and inns, and on March 18th their blog went into this very subject.
In summary, we had our best January/February period ever….up 30% from 2008 and 50% compared to 2007. Our summer pre-bookings to this point are up 20% compared to 2008, and 40% compared to 2007.
My unresearched assumption is that people are staying closer to home. They are driving instead of flying. They are looking for value….which is a hallmark of an "inn" experience. In other words, you could pay $200 for a hotel room that is the same whether you are in Chicago or Atlanta….or pay $200 to stay in a historic home that is unique and hopefully memorable. Add the undeniable fact that Lenox and the Berkshires offer more activities, entertainment and outdoor possibilities than any region deserves to possess…all located within several hours of the entire Northeast population…..thus the probable reason for our uptick. Knock on wood."