Thousands of vets will wake up in a B&B on 11-11-11, enjoying free stays through the B&Bs for Vets program
HADDON HEIGHTS, N.J., Sept. 14, 2011 — Inns and B&Bs throughout the U.S. and Canada will honor veterans by opening their doors with complimentary stays on November 10, 2011, in observance of Veteran's Day. In the largest known effort within the lodging industry to honor veterans, more than a thousand inns and B&Bs are expected to offer free stays to thank veterans for their service to their country. To date, more than 300 inns and B&Bs have signed up to participate in the B&Bs for Vets program in the U.S. with an additional 100+ offers from Canadian innkeepers, and more are being added each day. Organizers expect to surpass the 900 participating inns that joined in the program in 2010, expecting more than a thousand innkeepers to jump on board offering rooms to thousands of vets on the eve of Veteran's Day. For a complete list of participating inns and B&Bs, visit http://www.bnbsforvets.org for participating inns in the United States and http://www.bbcanada.com/bbforvets for a list of participating Canadian B&Bs.
"We are delighted that so many inns and B&Bs have jumped on board the B&Bs for Vets program early this year, offering free rooms to vets and their guests" said Jay Karen, President and CEO of the Professional Association of Innkeepers International, the organization coordinating B&Bs for Vets. "Last year several thousand vets with their families and companions were honored with complimentary stays at inns and B&Bs and this year we expect to honor even more," finished Karen.
The B&Bs for Vets program started in 2008 when Kathleen Panek, co-owner of the Gillum House, and a handful of other innkeepers in West Virginia opened their doors to veterans in honor of Veteran's Day. The program grew in popularity among innkeepers, and last year more than 900 inns in the US and Canada participated by offering free rooms to vets. This year, the Professional Association of Innkeepers International will coordinate the B&Bs for Vets program in conjunction with BBCanada.com to thank veterans and introduce them to today's B&B experience.
Veterans interested in reserving a room on November 10 are asked to contact the inn/B&B where they wish to stay. Proof of military service will be requested, and all policies of the inn will be enforced for free stays. To see a complete list of participating inns and B&Bs in the U.S. and Canada, visit http://www.bnbsforvets.org or http://www.bbcanada.com/bbforvets. New inns and B&Bs are being added daily.
About Better Way to Stay
The Better Way to Stay project is a grassroots campaign sponsored by the Professional Association of Innkeepers International (http://www.innkeeping.org). The campaign is dedicated to helping travelers discover today's inns and B&B experience through programs and social network campaigns geared to enhancing the travel experience.
Contact: Marti Mayne, 207-846-6331, Email
# # #