kilt_on_a_bike

Hi Arnold Thanks for your very detailed reply. Obviously there is a correlation between pricing and occupancy, and between location and pricing & occupancy. That's the whole reason for asking the question in the first place - ie whether there is any market research available, in enough detail, which shows the regional variations of pricing & occupancy. From what I have seen so far, it seems that no such information is available at a national level (local market info may be available from the local Chamber of Commerce etc). And from your response, I guess your view is that a national compilation (even if it could be compiled) would not be terribly useful, mainly because the "micro-location" and marketing are so critical to the success of each business? The answer then seems to be : Target your region/area first, then do detailed and focussed market research at a local level to find the relationships between micro-location, marketing, quality, price and occupancy. Cheers Scotty

I've noticed a few postings from people who are interested in setting up a B&B business, but are uncertain about the viability of the business case. Obviously there are key business assumptions such as location, B&B rates, average occupancy which need to be taken into account. I've seen lots of advice given on the website (figures in one thread suggest anything between 20% and 100% occupancy!). Does anyone know if there are any useful market data published and available showing the geographical variation of B&B rates and average occupancy across different regions, and if so how I can get my hands on it? If such market information is not already published, does anyone think that there would be a demand for this kind of info if it could be compiled and made available (a kind of updated database on average B&B rates and occupancies for B&Bs in different regions)? Scotty

I've noticed a few postings from people who are interested in setting up a gite business, but are uncertain about the viability of the business case. Obviously there are key business assumptions such as location, weekly rates, average occupancy which need to be taken into account. I've seen lots of advice given on the website (average occupancy in one thread for example is quoted at anything between 28 days and 28 weeks!). Does anyone know if there are any useful market data published and available showing the geographical variation of weekly rates and average occupancy across different regions (rather than simply asking the local chief of Gites de France), and if so how I can get my hands on it? If such market information is not already published, does anyone think that there would be a demand for this kind of info if it could be compiled and made available (a kind of updated database on average weekly rates and occupancies for gites in different regions)? Scotty

[quote]Hi Scotty, We did nothing but compare prices and market research, We looked at other Chateaux, Campanile/balladins hotels locally who add on breakfast etc... Some B&B`s locally charge £25 per ...[/quote] Hi Jez "We looked at other Chateaux, Campanile/balladins hotels locally who add on breakfast etc..." The Campanile in Saumur charges 58 Euros for a double room in August This website contains info on a number of B&Bs in your area, including some which would claim to be upmarket : http://www.paysdelaloire.com/maine-et-loire-bed-and-breakfast.htm These B&Bs charge between 45 and 90 Euros per double room per night for B&B. "Some B&B`s locally charge £25 per person and they are not, all that ideal." £25 per person for a double equates to over 70 Euros per room - the B&Bs on the above website that charge these kind of rates are (in my humble opinion) pretty good quality. Your rates are even higher (between 85 and 170 Euros per room in high season) and would put you way, way out at the top end. I hope you can attract the business Best of luck! Scotty  

Hi Jez Congrats on taking the plunge. Your property and website both look interesting. In think your rates however are rather steep - did you do a lot of market research before you launched? What makes you think you will get significant interest with rates at that level? Pics of the interior of the rooms on the website would help to sell..... Wishing you the best of luck! Scotty