Central Albertan bed and breakfasts are welcoming guests closer to home these days as many international travellers seem to be keeping an eye on their pocket books.
In Red Deer and surrounding areas, bed and breakfasts are in the middle of their busy summer season.
Pat Deans and her husband, Gord, have owned Galbraith Manor Bed and Breakfast on 45th Avenue in Red Deer since 2005. They have had guests from as far away as Italy, Switzerland and the United States.
This summer, however, they have seen a decrease in the number of overseas travellers and vacationers. Deans said the downturn in the economy may be keeping American vacationers away and forcing locals to try a “stay-cation.”
The upside is the number of Albertan visitors has increased in recent years.
“They come because they want a home experience,” said Deans. The mother of four said a bed and breakfast can offer a more personal experience than a hotel. When a couple came from Switzerland a few years ago, they were thrilled to practice their English with the Deans in the evenings. Only recently, a group of women from Calgary stayed at the home so they could be close to the walking trails.
Deans said most bed and breakfast operators have a solid knowledge of the area and can point visitors to areas of interest.
“I think Red Deer is a wonderful city and it has a lot to offer,” said Deans. “It’s wonderful to pass that information on to people.”
She said many travellers choose a bed and breakfast as opposed to a hotel because of the flexibility of late checkouts, the catering of meals, friendly owners and the simple and friendly ambiance.
This season, owners Lynda and Rob Purdie of Rolyn Hills Bed and Breakfast and Guest Ranch, east of Red Deer, have seen a combination of guests from Eastern Canada, including the Maritime provinces, Ontario and Alberta.
Like Deans, Lynda Purdie hasn’t had many guests from other countries in recent months. But the ones who are choosing the alternative of homey accommodation want the personal touch. Purdie said there are a certain group of people, whether it’s couples or groups, that frequent bed and breakfasts.
“They are interested in what is going on in the area,” said Purdie.
“They want to get to know people. They want to get to know us and find out what our story is. And it is great for us to find out what their stories are.”
Besides a place to get a good night’s sleep, bed and breakfasts offer a hearty home-cooked breakfast.
Both Deans and Purdie said they cater the breakfast to the guests’ likes.
“We’re not gourmet by any means,” laughed Purdie. “We are pretty basic but people are full by the time they leave the table.”
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com