BED AND BREAKFAST

BED AND BREAKFAST have come a long way; the term itself has been coined in the UK after World War II. At that time numerous foreigners needed a place to stay and local people had opened their homes and started serving breakfast to those overnight guests. Hence, a BED AND BREAKFAST is accommodation offered in someone’s private home. The proprietor may live on premises or nearby. Breakfast is usually homemade and sumptuous served in the dining room, the bedroom or at a patio in the private garden of the house. The majority of BED AND BREAKFAST offers a private bathroom. Privacy and sociability are equally available depending on the inclination of the guest.

BED AND BREAKFAST offers cozy, clean and comfortable surroundings to the guests; generally the rooms are set up just like a room in your own house. Every BED AND BREAKFAST setting is different. Some BED AND BREAKFAST have shared bathrooms, so if you don’t mind that, you may save some money to stay there.

A research conducted on BED AND BREAKFAST says that people who have stayed at BED AND BREAKFAST  have rarely regretted it. The hospitality they receive from their host is impeccable. Usually people who offer BED AND BREAKFAST service are warm and social and like to have people in their homes. They are more helpful to their guests and will go out of their way to accommodate the guest’s requirements. If you are planning a quiet vacation to relax and spend some time on the beach or a woods, find a BED AND BREAKFAST in the location and add charm to your holiday.

Besides a homely setup, BED AND BREAKFAST offers cool atmosphere, and personal pampering which cannot be compared to a hotel. Moreover, the BED AND BREAKFAST hosts are always a good source for detailed local knowledge and great help for planning a trip. Guests generally communicate directly with the owner which allows them to make prior planning for special requirements. It’s a sort of hybrid between a luxury hotel and a private home, embodying the best of both worlds.

Usually for BED AND BREAKFAST owners running the service is a secondary source of income or a primary occupation. Generally the owners themselves prepare the breakfast and clean the rooms, but some BED AND BREAKFAST hire staff for cleaning or cooking. A property which hires professional management is uncommon.

It is very difficult to put a strict label to BED AND BREAKFAST; they have some differentiation parameters. Location, architecture, interior decoration, facilities and services – all these features of a BED AND BREAKFAST vary in large amounts depending on location, standards, and people running the place. BED AND BREAKFAST are to be found in townhouses, country houses, farms, cottages, villas, lodges, country inns, historic homes, castles, cabins, carriage houses, boats, mansions, ranches, apartments, boats and everyday homes. The list can go on endlessly. But it is the variety that makes staying in BED AND BREAKFAST so exciting, romantic, and thrilling.

Travelers can come together with the host’s family members; I have one good experience to share; when we visited Goa in Canacona few years back, the hosts were so kind that they included us in their family function – ring ceremony of their granddaughter.  The ceremony was very traditional and elaborative, three hours long which began with a puja. It was followed by dinner – typically Konkani style. Today, even after 7 years, we are in touch with the family (BED AND BREAKFAST owners) that’s the charm of BED AND BREAKFAST .

World over, BED AND BREAKFAST are run in different fashions. Registered Irish BED AND BREAKFAST is star rated but the majorities are not registered. Generally, BED AND BREAKFAST in Ireland are family owned & run with a small percentage being managed but still with the personal service expected in this sector. Owners/Hosts must live on premises. Breakfast can mean a cooked or continental style buffet.

In China expatriates have re-modeled traditional structures in quiet picturesque rural areas and opened a few rustic boutique hotels with minimum amenities. Most patrons are tourists but they are growing in popularity among the Chinese

In Cuba, which opened up to tourism in the 1990s after the financial support of the Soviet Union ended, a form of BED AND BREAKFAST  called ”casa particular” (private home) they are famous and will be seen outside the tourist homes.

In Hungary, BED AND BREAKFAST is very popular. Usually is a small family-run hotel, a friendly ambience and a pleasant atmosphere. It provides an affordable alternate for the hotels. In Hungarian the BED AND BREAKFAST  is called “Panzió” or “Szálló”.

In India, the government is promoting the concept of BED AND BREAKFAST. The government is doing this to increase tourism; in 2010 Common Wealth Games especially BED AND BREAKFAST was given a boost, keeping in view the expected demand for hotels.  In India, BED AND BREAKFAST have been classified in 2 categories – Gold & Silver BED AND BREAKFAST . All BED AND BREAKFAST will be approved by the Ministry of Tourism who will then categorize it as Gold or Silver based upon the pre-defined criteria.

BED AND BREAKFAST business model is copied from the British. The British were the pioneers in this business. They are famous in southern province of Skania, Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo etc.

The custom of opening one’s home to travelers dates back the earliest days of Colonial America. Lodging establishments were few and far between in the 18th century and, apart from a limited number of coaching inns, travelers relied on the kindness of strangers to provide a bed for the night. Hotels became more common with the advent of the railroad and later the automobile; most towns had at least one prominent hotel.

During the Great Depression, tourist homes provided an economic advantage to both the traveler and the host. Driving through town on US highways, travelers stopped at houses with signs reading Tourists or Guests welcome, indicating that travelers could rent a room for the night for approximately $2. The rooms brought needed income for the home owner and saved money of the traveler, representing an intermediate option between inexpensive camp or cabins and costly railway hotels. In 1950s and 60s the Motel was a fad, the motels had carved niche for themselves then. They are in present days called ‘economy limited serving hotels’.

Through the 1980s and 1990s, BED AND BREAKFAST s increased rapidly in numbers and evolved from home stay BED AND BREAKFAST with shared baths and a simple furnishings to beautifully renovated historic mansions with luxurious decor and amenities. Printed directories listed options in various cities. By the mid-1990s, the Internet made it more affordable for innkeepers to promote their properties worldwide; it provided on-line reservation software and allowed travelers to view detailed photos, videos, and reviews. BED AND BREAKFAST s are found in all states, in major cities and remote rural areas, occupying everything from modest cottages to opulent mansions.

Some advantages of BED AND BREAKFAST:

• Breakfast is included: While this may seem obvious, it’s actually a wonderful amenity in terms of convenience and cost savings. BED AND BREAKFAST offer anything from a continental spread to a hot gourmet meal. As a special touch, some facilities will even serve this meal in your room.
• Privacy and peace: BED AND BREAKFAST tend to be more exclusive with fewer guests. They don’t often cater to large families and are more popular among couples. If you’re looking for a place to spend a quiet weekend, a BED AND BREAKFAST may be your best option.
• Personalized service: At a BED AND BREAKFAST, there are only a handful of guests. The hosts give you a much more personal experience. Typically, the gatekeeper is the owner and thus he makes sure that you have a great stay.
• They are usually located in quite areas. Unlike hotels, BED AND BREAKFAST s are often found off the beaten path. This provides you with a great opportunity to see less traveled parts of the community that you would otherwise miss, it gives you chance to rewind. They are good place to meditate.
• More secure. At a BED AND BREAKFAST, there are fewer people coming and going. With lesser guests, BED AND BREAKFAST owners tend to keep a much better eye on the hotel property than a typical hotel staff. In fact security is one of their priorities in service.
• Taste the local flavor: BED AND BREAKFAST are usually established and run by locals, therefore, the local spirit, local custom and way of life is maintained. You are served local food, and can enjoy some local entertainment. BED AND BREAKFAST s tend to offer all those special extra touches that can make your stay pampering and luxurious. Comfortable bed linens and bathrobes, organic food, and locally roasted coffee and beverage, are only some of the many perks that may be offered. Some facilities even stock snacks and drink in the common areas and rooms in case you get hungry.
• Enjoy extra activities. Many BED AND BREAKFAST offer additional recreational activities in their regular packages. Depending on the location, you may be able to enjoy biking, hiking, canoeing, golfing, or skiing, go get there.

So next time you plan an outing, do try the BED AND BREAKFAST facility.

In its 2005 “Year of Ideas” issue, The New York Times Magazinelisted nation branding among the year’s most notable ideas. The way a country is perceived can make a significant difference to the success of its trade, business, tourism efforts, as well as its diplomatic and cultural relations with other nations. Simon Anholt coined the term ‘nation branding’ in 1996 and since then he has been working with governments to help them plan the policies, strategies, investments and advance which lead their country towards an improved profile and reputation. America has become the largest and most powerful brand in the globe; it virtually shapes the world in almost all dimensions such as national governance, policies, exports, people, tourism, economic and social status etc. In the fast growing global village nation’s branding is considered as big as federal mega-projects. Steve Silver and Sam Hill, both marketing experts define nation branding as most complex (brand) positioning problem; how can we brand a nation? A nation is as big as a Meta brand inclusive of numerous mega brands. There are so many mega activities of in a nation such as political governance, commerce, education, human resource development, environment, foreign affairs, infrastructure, environment, tourism, culture and heritage etc.

Few years back marketing Guru Philip Kotler launched the World Marketing Summit (WMS), an annual gathering of professionals, in Dhaka to find solutions to global challenges such as climate change, healthcare and skill development. The purpose of the summit was building strategies for creating a better world.   When somebody asked a question to Philip Kotler how emerging economies like India and China should build brands?  He answered the question plausibly stating that emerging countries need to understand importance of marketing strategies. Imagine importance of marketing for building brands as big as nations.

In the emerging economies like China, India, Russia and Brazil many businesses are in the first stages of life cycles, most of these are product driven companies. In India lot of companies are just focused on market share, instant profits, and very little focus on marketing values. In some developing countries marketers have now recognized the importance of lasting impact of branding exercise, reputation and importance of being customer-driven.

Mr. Kotler’s advice to the business world is to become a brand that has distinct meaning. He says it is not enough for companies to be known for what they are producing or manufacturing; for instance it is not enough for people to know that Nike makes athletic shoes. Nike means much more…… It’s a lot of work!

Nation Branding: Role of Government

Coming back to nation branding; the role of governments is to appreciate the best companies around and to assist them in becoming more excellent in the country, and then in the region and then in the world. The government should make it easier for companies to be export-driven, to put in quality control policies, to raise adequate funds as and when required. The government needs to have business friendly approach.

Any nation in the world cannot take its position for granted. The economic scenario changes swiftly. According to leading economists in the world, there are approximately 28 emerging economies which are marching ahead. Countries like Brazil, China and India are regarded as the largest in the world today though the G8 has not included them. There are countries like Greece and Italy who are losing their foothold from the stable nations in the world. Greece is already in major breach of euro zone rules on deficit management and with the financial markets betting the country will default on its debts, this reflects badly on the credibility of the euro. There are also fears that financial doubts will infect other nations at the low end of Europe’s economic scale, with Portugal and the Republic of Ireland coming under scrutiny. If Europe needs to resort to rescue packages involving bodies such as the International Monetary Fund, this would further damage the euro’s reputation and could lead to a substantial fall against other key currencies.

The concept of branding is viewed as ‘cultural diplomacy’ of nations. It is a somewhat new way of looking at a nation, but every nation is already a brand. Every nation is perceived in the minds of people differently living elsewhere in the world. Some countries are known for good things, some for bad, and others have mixed perceptions. Based on these perceptions, other nations in the world interact and do business with other nations, either contributing to its development or hindering it. For example Africa is associated with civil war, Iraq with suicide bombings and Cuba with Fidel Castro’s dictatorship. On the other hand countries such as the US, Canada or France, are perceived positively for decades for their sound political and economic development. Nation branding is based on the underlying assumption that every nation is a brand good or bad depending on its efforts. The important thing to realize about branding a nation is that one of its ingredients is the intensification of something that is found already within that nation.

Singapore – Rise from third world to first world

Singapore’s stunning rise from third world to first world in a matter of 30 years was spearheaded by an intensive and rigorous closely-coordinated programme of nation branding. Today, brand Singapore attracts the investments, business, trade, tourism and talented human resources from all over the world which is helping it further to become more flourishing nation. This state is internationally known as a vibrant, safe, corruption-free place to do business. Name any of the great businesses of the world; everybody wants to be in Singapore! The vibrancy and liveliness of the nation in its culture and the fine art attracts more and more tourists. In global surveys of quality of life, Singapore regularly tops the charts.

Singapore’s exit from Malaysia was a unique historical situation. It is hard to think of another example in history when a state was expelled from a larger country. Singapore’s problems for its fight of independence were not distinctively glamorized.  High levels of unemployment, lack of sanitation, scarcity of potable water, and ethnic conflict were some conditions that marred Singapore then and still typify many third world countries today. It was common scene then on the streets of the country Chinese and Malays often fought street battles that ended in bloodshed.

The unusual effectiveness of the Singapore government has won worldwide acclaim over the years. The Institute of Management Development’s World Competitiveness Yearbook 1997, ranked Singapore as the country which has adopted most effective and fastest strategies and implementations in government policy. Berlin based Transparency International placed Singapore in fourth place worldwide in 2003 for absence of corruption. To explain Singapore’s economic success, it is important to understand the predominant themes that have distinguished its governance from less successful third world countries. At the heart of the Singapore model is the social contract that was articulated between the ruling PAP (People’s Action Party) run government and the people of Singapore. In essence, it said that while the people were willing to accept more government control they also gave up some individual rights. People worked hard while the government created the environment which delivered prosperity and a better quality of life.

The World Bank ranks nations on various parameters on the basis of ease of doing business, from 1 to 183. A high ranking on the ease of doing business index means the regulatory environment is more conducive to the starting and operation of a local firm. This index shows the best countries the world which allows businesses to prosper.  As of today, Canada ranks number one in this list.

Environmental scanning of a nation for brand building

Environmental scanning of a nation helps in the brand building exercise of a nation. It is the study and interpretation of the political, economic, social and technological events and trends which influences businesses to establish in a nation.  The following parameters involve in environmental scanning:  

Economic Environment

It is very complex and dynamic in nature that keeps on changing with the change in policies or political situations. It consists of three elements: (i) Economic Conditions of Public (ii) Economic Policies of the country (iii) Economic System and other Economic Factors such as infrastructural facilities, banking, Insurance companies, money markets, capital markets etc.

Political environment

The government policies affect the businesses extensively. Political beliefs of Government, political strength of the country, relation with other countries, defense and military policies, centre state relationship in the country, thinking of opposition parties towards business Units attract or distract FDI in a country. 

Socio-cultural environment

Influence exercised by social and cultural factors, not within the control of business, is known as Socio-Cultural Environment. These factors include: attitude of people to work, family system, caste system, religion, education, marriage etc.

Technological environment

A systematic application of scientific knowledge to practical task is known as technology. Everyday there has been vast changes in products, services, lifestyles and living conditions, these changes must be analyzed by every business unit and should adapt these changes.

Natural environment

It includes natural resources, weather, climatic conditions, port facilities, topographical factors such as soil, sea, rivers, rainfall etc. Every business unit must look for these factors before choosing the location for their business.

Demographic environment

It is a study of perspective of population i.e. its size, standard of living, growth rate, age-sex composition, family size, income level (upper level, middle level and lower level), education level etc. Every business unit must see these features of population and recognize their various needs and produce accordingly.

We Indians should take some lessons to brand ourselves in the globe.