Hello, AABBI members.

As President of AABBI, I am receiving telephone calls from news reporters (television, radio and print) inquiring as to the state of our bed and breakfast inns across Arizona.

With the economy certainly in an unprecedented situation and many people choosing to reign-in their discretionary spending, travel is generally decreasing across the U.S.

However, I understand that at the same time many of our inns in Arizona are struggling with markedly lower occupancies, many others have been experiencing very good, even record, levels of business this season.

So that I am able to give the most accurate report possible to the media, would you kindly take a moment to send an e-mail to me to let me know your inn's situation?  Of most interest is your level of booking from October through March and your advance bookings through the remainder of 2009.  

How are you doing and, if are doing well, to what do you attribute that success given the overall dip in travel?  Is this your traditional busy season?  Is it your location?  Special marketing that your local tourist bureau or AOT might be doing? Something special that you, personally, are offering guests?  What comments have you had from your guests about their change of travel habits, if any?

I won't talk to the media specifically about any of our inns but, rather, am seeking to find patterns about what is going on out there.  I promise to keep confidential any information you share with me.

Thanks so much!

JEFF

Jeff DiGregorio, President
Arizona Association of Bed and Breakfast Inns
c/o The Royal Elizabeth Bed and Breakfast Inn
204 South Scott Avenue, Tucson, Az. 85701
(520) 670-9022
stay@RoyalElizabeth.com