Recently the Y-Partnership, experts in travel research, revealed the results of a survey showing that 13-percent of leisure travelers opted to stay at inns and B&Bs in the past year. In a recent blog post entitled To B&B, or Not, travel expert and Y-Partnership partner Peter Yesawich shared findings from the just-released 2011 Portrait Of American Travelers™. According to Yesawich, fully one out of every eight (13%) American leisure travelers stayed at a B&B or inn at least once during the previous year. The study reveals that travelers choosing B&Bs increased to one out of six (17%) among leisure travelers with an annual household income of $125,000 or more.
Perhaps the most important aspect of this study comes with the revelation that a remarkable eight out of ten (79%) leisure travelers expressed interest in staying at an inn or B&B during the year ahead. That’s music to the ears of Distinctive Inns of New England.
Why is the notion of an inn or B&B so appealing? Not surprisingly, it’s the lure of their distinctive ambiance according to Yesawich. When asked why they patronized B&Bs and inns, Yesawich revealed that leisure travelers who visited inns and B&Bs did so during the previous year citing reasons ranging from the personalized service delivered by innkeepers, to the social aspects and “home-cooked food” as revealed by the results of the research below:
Very/Strongly Agree | % 2011 |
I enjoy the private, less crowded, quiet ambiance of small Inns/B&Bs | 64 |
I like to try new things when traveling | 56 |
Inns/B&Bs provide a better sense of the local culture | 56 |
I enjoy the personalized service of the host innkeeper(s) | 54 |
I like the unique architecture/décor of Inns and B&Bs | 53 |
I like the home-cooked food | 52 |
Inns/B&Bs are much more romantic than traditional hotels/motels | 47 |
I feel more pampered at an Inn/B&B than in a traditional hotel/motel | 45 |
I like to interact with other guests during breakfast or social hours | 39 |
It’s a more affordable escape than I would find at a traditional hotel/motel | 37 |
They generally have a pet-friendly policy | 19 |
According to Yesawich, among leisure travelers who express interest in staying at a B&B or inn on a future trip, the home-like ambiance and amenities they expect to find in these properties are the primary reasons why:
Attributes of B&Bs Rated Very/Extremely Desirable | % 2011 |
Comfortable bed/linens | 92 |
Friendly staff | 91 |
Complimentary, freshly prepared breakfast | 88 |
Having time just to relax and unwind | 87 |
Knowledgeable innkeepers | 80 |
Opportunities to taste different or unusual cuisines | 68 |
Free Wi-Fi | 67 |
Romantic ambiance | 63 |
Distinctive theme or atmosphere | 59 |
Distinctive architecture | 55 |
The ability to reserve a specific room with unique decoration or theme | 53 |
Other interesting guests | 41 |
The Y-Partnership research corresponds with studies from BedandBreakfast.com and Professional Association of Innkeepers International, indicating that personalized service, comfortable surroundings, and added value drive the decision to choose a B&B.
Recently one of the Distinctive Inns of New England’s facebook fans shared this comment with us after referring more than 50 friends to “like” us on facebook. She said: “I never appreciated what B&B’s had to offer. My husband and I had stayed in a “not so great” B&B many years ago and had avoided them ever since. Until last year. Needing a last minute vacation, we booked a long weekend at Rabbit Hill Inn. What a difference! We take several vacations a year and we now look to inns and bed and breakfasts first. We are converts. “
Bottom line: The buzz word in travel today is value, and travelers are discovering that inns and B&Bs offer just the kind of personalized experience, ambiance and added value they seek. We may be preaching to the choir here, as those who’ve experienced distinctive inns become converts quickly. So please forwward this to someone who’s never had the chance to experience a fabulous inn and make converts of them too!