Market to your strengths. More than likely, you won't be drawing people that have no idea where your location is and just all of a sudden thought they would go there. You'll be marketing to people who are looking to be in your area. Figure out who that is. Are the tourists there to fish, hunt, kayak, etc. Emphasize those things on your website.
Do you have an idea yet on who your target market is?.
We are in the first stages of planning which is why we are on this site. Some of the Pros & Cons to doing a B&B I can guess. Some I will not even be aware of till I see it here or at another site. My wife has a job waiting for her in Elder Care when she goes back. She worked there till she came out here almost 2 years ago. Once we can get her back there, I will tie up loose ends here so this house can be moth balled for a couple of years while we proof out our decisions. I will then join her and start a Boots On The Ground research on a B&B, Pro & Con. She made it back to Ketchikan last Spring only to fall thru an outside stair case. By Spring, 2012, we hope she is well enough to try again. The Cruise Ships bring in people that may want to come back again. They are the people I will market to. Water front property is well out of my price range. We are taking delivery of a 2012 Ford Transit Wagon in December which can be used to ferry people from the ferry in Hollis, POW. Also for Island Tours. We also can pick them up in Thorne Bay if they come in by float plane. Rental cars may be had in Craig. Our B&B will center on basic home style lodging. Fresh from our garden vegys, and berries. Fresh eggs from our chickens. A real New England Rumford Fireplace will keep them warm. We are just at the starting gate. A long way to go. I am playing it safe. Art
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Do you need to have a chauffeur's license to haul guests around? Something to check on. Insurance is another thing to check if you plan to take guests on tours. (BTW, I do know I am the voice of doom and gloom. It's a gift I have.)
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I would much rather see D&G now than experiance it later due to lack of knowledge. I may need a Guide License to do tours. That is one of the things I will need to check with the State of Alaska on. When I arrive, I will need to change my NH license to a AK one. At that time I can get a chauffeur's license, if required. At that time I will update the insurance. Art
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Right, I didn't mean to do it now, but to find out what's involved. A chauffeur's license requires training around here. You have to take certain driving classes. It's not just a different kind of license. You could take the class now and have it done if it is required. Not every place requires the classes.
As an example, it appears it is not clear-cut across the board in AK: http://www.dmv.org/ak-alaska/special-licenses.php#Chauffeur_License_Requirements
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