Bed and Breakfasts Enjoy Successful Summer

Although the travel industry has been plagued recently with disappointing results from hotels and airlines, the bed and breakfast industry appears to have enjoyed a successful summer.

In an informal survey distributed to over 4700 innkeepers, BedandBreakfast.com found that B&Bs and country inns posted a nearly 8.5 percent increase in occupancy over 2002 for the months of June, July, and August.

Increases varied from region to region, as B&Bs in the South recorded the highest average occupancy increase at 15.7%, while the Northeast posted the lowest average increase at 2.7%.

Why have bed and breakfasts fared better than hotels and other segments of the travel industry? According to a recent press release, BedandBreakfast.com attributes the success to two key elements:

1. Continued consumer anxieties about the economy and air travel make B&Bs perfect for easy, last-minute "one-tank" short getaways.

2. Articles in the New York Times and USA Today have illustrated how easily a $150 a night hotel room can end up costing $250. In contrast, consumers have learned that although bed and breakfasts accommodations aren't necessarily cheap, all the free extras -- the personalized service, great breakfasts, afternoon tea, free phone and internet access, and more -- can make them a great value.