Bed and breakfasts in Virginia: identification and success factors

Virginia bed and breakfast operations were researched in order to determine the attitudes/beliefs which were necessary for success in the bed and breakfast industry. The objectives of the study were to: (1) identify demographics of Virginia bed and breakfast operations; (2) identify successful bed and breakfast operations based upon their self definition of success; (3) identify the attitudes and beliefs operators believe are necessary for success in running a bed and breakfast operation and correlate attitudes with operators' actual behaviors; and (4) based upon the operator's self-definition of success, compare the correlations identified in the previous objective between successful and other operators.

Data was collected by utilizing a mailed questionnaire. Pearson's correlation was used to determine if there were any relationships present between what attitudes/beliefs bed and breakfast operators perceived to be necessary for success and their actual behavior. Fishers r to z transformation was used ta determine if the relationship between the attitudes/beliefs perceived ta be necessary far success and operator's actual behavior was greater among successful bed and breakfast operations based upon a self definition of success. The results found that the correlation between the attitude/belief, past experience and actual past experience in hotels, restaurants, and large organizations was significant in the success group as well as high knowledge of cash flow/accounting and use of financial data. Stronger correlations were present in interpersonal skills, good relationship with employees and guests in the success group versus other group. Past experience in and knowledge of the bed and breakfast industry as well as family support were significantly correlated in the success group.