Comments for Innkeepers Forum http://innkeeperguild.com/ig_blog Issues & Ideas Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:38:08 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 Comment on New Policy in NS on “Quality” by oceanhaven http://innkeeperguild.com/ig_blog/?p=16&cpage=1#comment-8 oceanhaven Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:38:08 +0000 http://innkeeperguild.com/ig_blog/?p=16#comment-8 New Brunswick has taken a slightly different direction. They have implemented a "NB Approved Accommodations" system . Owners in NB can OPT to belong to that OR to belong to Canada Select. Apparently Canada Select is NO LONGER MANDATORY in NB. I can't find how all this was announced but did find a brochure at http://www.gnb.ca/0397/documents/5559_guide_E4.pdf New Brunswick has taken a slightly different direction. They have implemented a “NB Approved Accommodations” system . Owners in NB can OPT to belong to that OR to belong to Canada Select. Apparently Canada Select is NO LONGER MANDATORY in NB.
I can’t find how all this was announced but did find a brochure at
http://www.gnb.ca/0397/documents/5559_guide_E4.pdf

]]> Comment on New Policy in NS on “Quality” by gonesouth http://innkeeperguild.com/ig_blog/?p=16&cpage=1#comment-7 gonesouth Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:45:45 +0000 http://innkeeperguild.com/ig_blog/?p=16#comment-7 My understanding of the CAA option is that there are several things you should know: First it is not owned or run by CAA, it is run by AAA out of Florida. Second, there are various levels of the program. You apply at a cost of $150. If you pass the inspection, you then pay a further fee - I understand the minimum annual fee is $725 but in my case with 18 units it is $950, although they do give you credit for the $150 against your first year's annual fee. Third, then once you are in, you get offerred other opportunities - having a "two diamonds" plaque to hang in your lobby, the right to use their logo and your diamonds in advertising, listing in the CAA or AAA guides, etc. Each of these comes at an annual price, and I was told by the AAA guy to expect to spend from $5,000-$10,000 although many people don't. Four, at this point nobody is saying whether or not being listed in the Doers & Dreamers as CAA approved will have a price, or what it will be, if there is one. Five, they normally do not take B&B's with less than 4 units, but if the property is rated highly by other systems (and thus might become a Four Diamond property) they consider accepting 3 unit properties and will accept your money pending a final decision once the inspection results are in. It looks to me that this is a very limited option, only serious for those few high end properties that have serious marketing money to spare, or someone who is willing to pay big bucks to escape Canada Select. Your mileage may vary!! My understanding of the CAA option is that there are several things you should know:
First it is not owned or run by CAA, it is run by AAA out of Florida.
Second, there are various levels of the program. You apply at a cost of $150. If you pass the inspection, you then pay a further fee – I understand the minimum annual fee is $725 but in my case with 18 units it is $950, although they do give you credit for the $150 against your first year’s annual fee.
Third, then once you are in, you get offerred other opportunities – having a “two diamonds” plaque to hang in your lobby, the right to use their logo and your diamonds in advertising, listing in the CAA or AAA guides, etc. Each of these comes at an annual price, and I was told by the AAA guy to expect to spend from $5,000-$10,000 although many people don’t.
Four, at this point nobody is saying whether or not being listed in the Doers & Dreamers as CAA approved will have a price, or what it will be, if there is one.
Five, they normally do not take B&B’s with less than 4 units, but if the property is rated highly by other systems (and thus might become a Four Diamond property) they consider accepting 3 unit properties and will accept your money pending a final decision once the inspection results are in.

It looks to me that this is a very limited option, only serious for those few high end properties that have serious marketing money to spare, or someone who is willing to pay big bucks to escape Canada Select.

Your mileage may vary!!

]]> Comment on New Policy in NS on “Quality” by oceanhaven http://innkeeperguild.com/ig_blog/?p=16&cpage=1#comment-6 oceanhaven Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:05:50 +0000 http://innkeeperguild.com/ig_blog/?p=16#comment-6 A member has done some research on this that found that really CAA may not be an option. You can belong to CAA for a fee, BUT when it comes to advertizing and displaying your "diamond" rating, the price increases to a minimum of $725. So, to belong to CAA to have that rating show up in the Doers and Dreamers is turning out to be an option most would not likely afford. So, our so-called three quality program options are reducing to two rather quickly. A member has done some research on this that found that really CAA may not be an option. You can belong to CAA for a fee, BUT when it comes to advertizing and displaying your “diamond” rating, the price increases to a minimum of $725. So, to belong to CAA to have that rating show up in the Doers and Dreamers is turning out to be an option most would not likely afford.
So, our so-called three quality program options are reducing to two rather quickly.

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