Central Oregon as a whole is not doing well this December (see article below). Sunriver has definitely seen a drop in business this month and may continue to see a drop as we progress into 2009.
The good news is 2008 was a strong year for Bennington Properties, thanks to January, February, and the Summer months. We will end the year 3 nights per property higher than 2007 (2007 = 106 nights, 2008 = 109 nights). Currently our overall number of bookings for December equal last years numbers but compared to the numbers quoted below for the rest of Central Oregon, we are happy to be where we are. There are, however, a few of our homes that have no bookings for this month, and we know those homeowners are feeling the effect of the economic downturn more than others.
We currently have 36% more summer bookings than we did this same time last year. Lets hope that trend continues.
The first part of 2009 on the other hand is not looking great. Currently we are down approximately 35% for the first three months. We hope the snow and the inauguration of a new president will help boost bookings as we progress through 2009.
We have also had a considerable number of cancellations due to weather over Christmas, however property owners will be paid as if the guests came..and then the guests will have a full year to use their “credit” in the off season at the original home they booked.
Excerpt from December 21st article in the Bend Bulletin.
"Holiday Tourism Forecast: Chilly"
Written by Jeff McDonald.
Last week’s snowfall could entice some procrastinating holiday planners to trek to Central Oregon for wintertime fun, but early lodging industry projections predict a double-digit drop in bookings for the critical two-week holiday period that begins this week.
That’s the word from the Central Oregon Visitors Association, which surveyed its lodging partners last week in advance of the holidays.
Regrettably, the news isn’t real good,” said Alana Audette, COVA’s president and CEO, after hearing results of the survey and speaking with lodging property owners. “Across the board, properties are down significantly. … It is pretty startling."
Most businesses are down in the 10 to 20 percent range compared with the same period last year, Audette said.
The situation reminds her of the holidays after Sept. 11, 2001, when many Americans hunkered down with families, simplified their lives and avoided travel.
The slowdown in overnight lodging could affect other parts of the region’s economy, including restaurants, ski rental shops and other businesses, Audette said.
"It is brutal for the tourism industry and it is indicative of what’s going to happen around the nation,” Audette said.
The downward projections started with the Thanksgiving holiday bookings, which also fell double-digits, Audette said.
This is a photo of a neighborhood in Portland - for people that live in the snow every year, this doesn't look like much at all. But for a city that does not have the resources to clear snow effectively, this little bit of snow causes a lot of chaos.
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