The terms "bed & breakfast" (B&B) and "inn" conjure up romantic images of stately Victorian houses nestled among majestic oaks, graciously operated by entrepreneurs we secretly admire because they finally decided to follow their dream! Yet how do these seductive images translate into market appeal? The results of our just-released 2011 Portrait Of American Travelers™ reveal the answer.

Fully one out of every eight (13%) American leisure travelers stayed at a B&B or inn at least once during the previous year. This incidence rises to one out of six (17%) among leisure travelers with an annual household income of $125,000 or more. And a remarkable eight out of ten (79%) leisure travelers express interest in staying at a B&B during the year ahead! Why is this notion so appealing? Not surprisingly, it's the lure of their distinctive ambiance.

When asked why they patronize B&Bs and inns, leisure travelers who did so during the previous year cited reasons ranging from the personalized service delivered by innkeepers, to the social aspects and "home-cooked food" as revealed below:

— Source: MMGY Global— Source: MMGY Global
— Source: MMGY Global

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:

— Source: MMGY Global— Source: MMGY Global
— Source: MMGY Global

Clearly, consumers believe B&Bs and inns offer an alluring residential ambiance that is not found in most conventional hotels and resorts. When combined with the personal touches of the host innkeeper, this appeal is very alluring.

For further information on emerging lifestyle and travel trends revealed in the Ypartnership/Harrison Group 2011 Portrait of American TravelersTM please visit the Publications section of www.ypartnership.com.