Hospitality and Related Services - Tourism: Principles, Practices, Philosophies - page 130

One of the increasingly
popular amenities offered
by modern hotels is a
fitness facility. These are
provided in response to the
changing lifestyles and
demands of customers.
PhotocourtesyofHotSprings
Lodge&Pool.

Country inns are owner-operated establishments providing lodging and meals (usually breakfast
and dinner). They are usually larger, typically ten or more rooms, and offer a number of amenities.
Many inns provide Internet, magazines, hot/cold beverages, games, fireplace, refrigerator, newspapers,
telephone, cookies/cakes/candy/fruit, flowers, and televisions in common areas. In guest rooms, they
might provide Internet, television, luxury bed/linens, branded toiletries, and robes.
The Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII) uses the terms B&B and inns
interchangeably and state they are operated by innkeepers.
B&Bs in the United States began as inexpensive informal places to stay with shared baths and
minimal amenities, but today many B&Bs have evolved into accommodations with high levels of
comfort, service, and amenities. Thus, B&Bs provide both luxury and economy accommodations.
Insight into the characteristics and operation of B&Bs is provided by the trade association, the
Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII), which hired Industry Insights to study the
operations, marketing, and finances of B&Bs. The PAII study is the nation is (U.S.) only authoritative

and comprehensive research report on the finances and operations of this segment of the hospitality
industry. PAII 2009-10 Industry Study shows the B&B industry is $3.4 billion in size. The average B&B
had six rooms, an average daily rate of $150.00, an average occupancy rate of 41 percent, and RevPAR
of $58.00. The study found 29 percent were in rural locations, 23 percent were urban, 5 percent were
suburban, and 43 were village; 87 percent were tourist destination/resort properties; 94 percent of
rooms had a private bath; 5,700 square feet is the average size of a B&B; 36 percent have achieved an
''historical designation'' by a local, state or national historic preservation organization; 72 percent are
run by owner couples; 79 percent of innkeepers live on premise; the average B&B offer free high-speed
wireless Internet. 3
B&Bs provide the best possible avenue for travelers of all ages and locations to experience
firsthand the lifestyles in areas of the country previously unknown to guests. The B&B host can
become an area

'

s best ambassador. In many cases around the nation, the institution of a B&B has
saved a historic property that might otherwise have been destroyed.

'