Owning a B&B is the dream of many...By giving you the tools to help make your operation a success my hope is that within a short time you will be able to live your dream.A" More and more people are considering downshifting. Buying a property that can pay for its upkeep and give you a comfortable lifestyle is a popular option. Not only has the interest grown in becoming a B&B proprietor, so has the interest by the public in the B&B as a viable short-break option. With this rise in popularity, however, come expectations, and this is where this book comes in. It will help you: - DETERMINE WHO YOUR CUSTOMERS ARE; - MANAGE THE NECESSARY FINANCIAL TOOLS; - READY YOUR HOUSE FOR B&B OR HELP YOU BUY OR BUILD A NEW ONE; - SUCCESSFULLY MARKET YOUR PROPERTY; - ENSURE YOU MAKE A PROFIT FROM YOUR ENTERPRISE. In short, everything you need to know to make your B&B a truly special place to stay! This book has been written for would-be and current B&B owners. It can be used as a short course giving invaluable insights for the experienced and inexperienced alike. Contents: Preface; Acknowledgements; Introduction; PART ONE: PREPARING TO ENTER THE B&B BUSINESS; 1. It's up to you; 2. Who is my market?; 3. Who is your customer?; 4. Preparing your property; 5. Doing your homework; 6. Doing your feasibility study; PART TWO: HOW TO RUN YOUR B&B EFFICIENTLY AND SUCCESSFULLY; 7. Putting the people back in service; 8. Housekeeping; 9. Occupational health and safety; 10. Food and the Bed & Breakfast; 11. Day to day operations; 12. The hospitality industry and you; 13. Marketing your B&B; 14. The fundamentals of business; 15. Writing your business plan. Appendices; Glossary; Useful Addresses; Index. STEWART WHYTE is a researcher, a lecturer and an author of nine how to books on getting into bed & breakfast. He is an international authority on this subject and has extensive experience in the development of local tourism strategies in many parts of the world.