Author Archive
March 10th, 2023 by Eben Viens
Experience is the heart and driving economic force of our special segment of the hospitality and tourism industry. If we can all agree on this statement, in some form, our success should be based on the ability to expand and elevate the experience of guests as they start the research and booking process, through their […]
May 27th, 2022 by Eben Viens
On May 11, 2022, Airbnb announced its latest updates to the platform, promising “a new Airbnb for a new world of travel.” The updates noted in the Airbnb 2022 Summer Release allow users to discover millions of new listings, split trips between locations, and offer what Airbnb refers to as “the most comprehensive protection in […]
May 5th, 2022 by Eben Viens
It’s a common trend in our industry that the overarching macro news obscures counter trends among niches or segments of the larger picture. While it has been difficult to ignore the tell-tale signs of a red-hot real estate market during Covid times, there are critical nuances that require interpretation in the Inn and Bed and […]
December 8th, 2021 by Eben Viens
The Innkeeping world has lost one of its pioneering members with the passing of Bill Oates on Monday, November 22. Bill’s influence on the industry is immeasurable, and his legacy is carried on by industry professionals, consultants, brokers, and the countless Innkeepers who were his colleagues and close friends. I had the great pleasure of […]
July 9th, 2021 by Eben Viens
The two questions most resounding in my life since late last year: Where have you been? And what do you envision for the future of The B&B Team®? From a distance, the first question can be answered plainly. I have not sat still over the course of the pandemic. In fact, even before I took […]
October 2nd, 2020 by Eben Viens
In the beginning of the twentieth century America started to dream of independent travel in the automobile. Anyone who could afford a car could also afford leisure travel. Mr. Ford made the affordability more accessible. Family vacations on the open roads expanded tourism to become the nation’s largest industry. The automobile became a symbol of […]
August 13th, 2020 by Eben Viens
Have you been rethinking your guest experience during these troubled times? It is and always has been the mantra,’ put your guests’ needs and wants first’. Now more than ever. There is a new wave of customer. Someone who is more cautious, more discerning in their choices, especially when travelling. But they are willing […]
July 13th, 2020 by Eben Viens
We all want to be recognized for who we are. Blogging for your bed and breakfast helps you to be seen and heard out there in the internet ether. “As a small business, your content strategy is the key to getting yourself seen. It drives traffic to your site, increases conversions, and strengthens your brand.” […]
May 29th, 2020 by Eben Viens
“At the speed of walking the human body is at its most comprehending state. Sight, smell, hearing, feeling of our physical environment. All are functioning at the most natural intensity.” This is a quote from a short composition my father-in-law, J. Robert Wolf wrote many years ago. It started with a walk he took around […]
May 8th, 2020 by Eben Viens
Innovative. One definition is originality. Survival. One definition is persistence. Innkeepers who have embraced a survival mode and been persistent and innovative. We applaud you all! I will proceed to feature a few Inns that are examples of innovative innkeepers during the COVID-19 epidemic. Inn at Pleasant Lake, New Hampshire. Here is a clip from […]
April 17th, 2020 by Eben Viens
It was 10 years ago that we posted this beautiful poem in a blog. It was written by a friend who wrote it for a couple’s wedding celebration. Today this message of bringing friends and family together at ‘a good table’ is very timely. As innkeepers you are missing the experience of guests enjoying […]
April 3rd, 2020 by Eben Viens
When you have time on your much washed hands, I find passing that time with some historic research a pleasant distraction. Since many of us are also making use of your extra time cooking, how about a blog on recipes of old? Our history museum, the Brick Store Museum in Kennebunk, has […]