Inns and B&Bs throughout the U.S. and Canada will honor active military and veterans by opening their doors with complimentary stays November 10 and 11, 2013, in observance of Veteran’s Day.  In the largest known effort within the lodging industry to honor active military and veterans, more than 800 inns and B&Bs are expected to sign up to offer free stays to thank veterans for their service to their country through the B&Bs for Vets program.  Last year more than 500 inns and B&Bs in the U.S. signed up to participate in the B&Bs for Vets, with an additional 250+ offers from Canadian innkeepers. Already nearly 450 offers are posted at www.bnbsforvets.org with another 250-350 expected over the next few weeks. 

Offers vary by inn and innkeepers can ascertain what’s included and which day they will offer a free room. This year, the majority of B&Bs for Vets offers are on November 10 or 11.  Many inns dedicate the whole property to free rooms for the B&Bs for Vets program.  Many more innkeepers will make special offers for vets to extend their stay for extra days or throughout the month. For a complete list of participating inns and B&Bs, visit www.bnbsforvets.org  for participating inns in the United States and  www.bbcanada.com/bbforvets for a list of participating Canadian B&Bs. 
 

Many inn associations and consortiums are getting in on the fun. For example, the seventeen inns of the Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association together will offer 55 rooms free-of-charge for a one-night stay on Monday, Nov. 11, 2013 to retired and active US military personnel. The offer from all of these participating inns includes a complete bed and breakfast experience with full breakfast, and may also include restaurant discounts or coupons as available too. To book lodging at one of the Asheville, NC participating inns visithttp://ashevillebba.com/our-inns/ and contact the individual inn of choice. Inn policies apply and may differ from inn to inn.
 

The B&Bs for Vets program started in 2008 when Kathleen Panek, co-owner of the Gillum House B&B 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 750 inns in the US and Canada participated by offering free rooms to vets. 

Once again 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 for many introduce them to the B&B experience for the first time.  After that, they’ll not only be vets they will become B&B veterans, choosing the better way to stay for future travel!