Sep
26
2012
Jetting here and there on business may sound glamorous to those with jobs that don't involve travel, but weary road warriors often disagree. Motel and hotel rooms can be so much like the other that it’s hard to tell if you're in Atlanta or Albuquerque, Boston or Boise, Charlotte or Chicago.
Business travel extends far beyond the major cities; innkeepers in hundreds of small towns go out of their way to host the sales people, engineers, government workers and others whose jobs take them across the America, combining welcoming hospitality and the comforts of home with the modern conveniences travelers require.
How can you cater to business travelers seeking accommodations with more personality? Offer the following amenities:
1. Flexible cancellation policy
2. Acceptance of all major credit cards
3. Special midweek rates for business travelers
4. Free Wi-Fi
5. In-room telephone with free local calls/data port with fax machine availability
6. Well-lit, in-room table or desk with appropriate seating
7. Well-lit private bathroom with hair dryer
8. Flexibility on late check-ins
9. Early and/or healthy breakfast options; private table if preferred
10. In-room television
11. Real-time online reservations or availability calendars
Another way to add value is to offer concierge services such as laundry, errands, weekend luggage storage, and gift certificates to return on pleasure trips.
Additionally, a past study commissioned by Travelocity revealed that comfortable bedding tops the list of amenities that matter most to business travelers.
If you offer these amenities, be sure to write about them on your BedandBreakfast.com listing and personal website and emphasize that your inn is great for business travelers.
Updated by Emily Starbuck Crone