After perusing the message boards until 2 last night, thought I'd introduce myself and ask for input. We're building a small (4 room, expadable to 6) inn in Panama, next to a National Park in a small town (pop 3000) - hopefully opening this summer. I'm a biologist, and in time, we want to pair our lodging with rain forest tours.
I'm concerned about a lot of things, but right now, potential competition with two other small inns that opened/ are being built in the last couple months take the cake.
Is there a silver lining to this unexpected competition?
While my DH is Panamanian, all others owning and operating inns (myself included) are expats. There is a growing resentment and dependence within the community for these foreigners who come and buy land, drive up prices, and earn $. I've read in some B&B advice books about throwing an open house for the community when opening doors. With 3000 people, who do you invite? Maybe I should just bake banana bread and go house to house
. Do you all have any thoughts or ideas on a good opening event or tips?
I'm concerned about a lot of things, but right now, potential competition with two other small inns that opened/ are being built in the last couple months take the cake.
Is there a silver lining to this unexpected competition?
While my DH is Panamanian, all others owning and operating inns (myself included) are expats. There is a growing resentment and dependence within the community for these foreigners who come and buy land, drive up prices, and earn $. I've read in some B&B advice books about throwing an open house for the community when opening doors. With 3000 people, who do you invite? Maybe I should just bake banana bread and go house to house