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#Post#: 1017--------------------------------------------------
Tourism downturn?
By: Tom Date: February 22, 2026, 5:45 pm
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Year 2025, B&B booking was down about 20% over 2024. I'd raised
rates so revenue down maybe 12% and we had more cooking school
and facility rentals so we're OK as a business. Last half of
2025 I felt a distinct cooling in discretionary travel by our
demographic. That seems to be continuing into 2026 -- our
normally slow winter months are almost dead this year, half.
Only guesses why.
I definitely think Google shift to AI is changing the search
results that are our main source of booking; we're on Google
Hotel. Most of our customers spend time searching and planning,
so not being on first page isn't fatal, but the OTA have so much
sponsored presence and, it seems, even hijacking my property,
that it can be confusing: clicking on me on Google Hotel will
get to me; clicking on me on Expedia or Booking takes you to
somewhere else.
I did raise rates and I wonder if that's impacting the slow
season bookings. In winter, I'm $195 when chain hotels are
around $120. I don't want to chase profits to the bottom with
demand-based pricing.
Finally, the social and political atmosphere stinks. Usually, we
get a smattering of international travelers exploring the wilds
of Oregon and Canadians cruising the I-5. In 2025/6 ... zero,
and it's easy to see why. Personally, I can say that re-entering
the US carries anxiety, and I'm a citizen. (BTW, we're going
back to Canada in April.)
Maybe slowly declining revenue is the exit strategy.
#Post#: 1018--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tourism downturn?
By: JimBoone Date: February 23, 2026, 5:43 am
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[quote author=Tom link=topic=176.msg1017#msg1017
date=1771803958]
Year 2025, B&B booking was down about 20% over 2024. Maybe
slowly declining revenue is the exit strategy.
[/quote]
[member=5]Tom[/member] - If it's any comfort, I don't think it
has anything to do with you, I feel the same. We are a tiny
motel in NC, not enough international guests to make a
difference. Based on the online prices I see published we are
lower priced than many/most of the chains. Our regular guests
tend to be just everyday folks that tend to enjoy what I call a
visit with grandma at a roadside motel. There are some travelers
that still seem to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. We are old
timers and have never used the services of the OTA's. Used to
rank well on a review rating site as we tried hard to please at
a reasonable rate, today the site seems to have shifted to
promote those who purchase sponsored links rather than ratings,
maybe that's just my opinion.
I don't think I'm going anywhere, after around 35 years here,
I'm too old to change. I like the area and I guess our apartment
is comfortable. At times I wonder about just closing the doors
and living here but I don't think Social Security would cover
the expenses.
#Post#: 1019--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tourism downturn?
By: Generic Date: February 23, 2026, 9:10 am
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We had a change in tourism. We used to be 1/3rd of each of our 3
zones. Well, because of politics, our domestic travel was up to
fill the traffic from the neighbours. And most of our traffic
from the neighbours were from coastal areas on either coast and
guests from the other side of the pond.
But considering that the number 1 foreign tourists to the US are
staying away in droves meant that a lot of rooms were available
that normally wouldn't be.
#Post#: 1020--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tourism downturn?
By: Arks Date: February 24, 2026, 1:31 pm
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January was my slowest month since 2013, but February is fairly
normal. On the week days, I get most of the business travelers
to our town, I think, since they are used to nice city hotels
and, so far, we only have 1 chain hotel, and it's getting old,
and showing it. Weekends I get people visiting family, reunions,
and funerals.
So I can't complain, until I wake up one morning and learn that
a new chain hotel is coming to town!
#Post#: 1021--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tourism downturn?
By: JimBoone Date: February 25, 2026, 6:19 am
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[quote author=Arks link=topic=176.msg1020#msg1020
date=1771961466]
So I can't complain, until I wake up one morning and learn that
a new chain hotel is coming to town!
[/quote]
Good luck, we have 2 under construction and at least one other
proposed
#Post#: 1022--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tourism downturn?
By: gillumhouse Date: February 25, 2026, 10:20 am
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In last 5 or 6 years there are at least 5 hotels that were built
in the new development one passes to GET to Shinnston from the
Interstate - AND they are across from the hospital. I am still
open. I even have reservations for September and may -
ALREADY!! Totally unusual! And other than my web site and all
the links that are out on the web already, I no longer market -
but they find me.
WE offer what hotels do not - personal service, great breakfasts
(OK not Arks or JimBoone), but peace & quiet (as long as that
damned siren doesn't go off). There are people who WANT what WE
offer - they will come.
#Post#: 1023--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tourism downturn?
By: JimBoone Date: February 26, 2026, 4:09 am
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[quote author=gillumhouse link=topic=176.msg1022#msg1022
date=1772036453]
WE offer what hotels do not - personal service, great breakfasts
(OK not Arks or JimBoone), but peace & quiet (as long as that
damned siren doesn't go off). There are people who WANT what WE
offer - they will come.
[/quote]
I agree, I do think that there are people who desire what we
offer, sometimes just the consistency of the same face at the
door or voice on the phone that cares about the guest.
#Post#: 1024--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tourism downturn?
By: gillumhouse Date: February 26, 2026, 10:00 am
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Yes, absolutely. The man who asked on arriving for their 4th
visit, "Where do you have us going this time?" has now been
coming off & on for 20 years and tells me part of Tami's
Christmas was a card saying "Good for one visit to Kathleen".
AND they bring me ground venison so I can continue offering my
homemade venison sausage!
#Post#: 1026--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tourism downturn?
By: Generic Date: February 27, 2026, 9:12 pm
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Gillum... if they can only get to your website. I still can't.
#Post#: 1027--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tourism downturn?
By: gillumhouse Date: February 28, 2026, 2:06 pm
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I reported it again. UGH!
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