8 out of 10 want to try an inn this year

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!