To our fellow Vermonters and Visitors to Vermont -

We stand together as an industry, with the deepest gratitude and appreciation for all of our neighbors who have been bravely working on the front-lines to keep our community safe.  We stand together with our government officials who have been dedicated to ensuring the safety of our families, friends, and fellow Vermonters during this global health crisis. 

Vermont is known for its hospitality. Today, Vermont lodging providers are asking our fellow Vermonters, Vermont government officials, and visitors to our beautiful state to stand together “with” us, your local, independent, Vermont Bed & Breakfasts, inns, hotels, motels, guesthouses, Airbnbs, hostels, campgrounds and other types of short-term accommodations. We are here to let you know that the Vermont lodging industry is in crisis and we need your support. Without easily accessible direct aid many lodging providers will close permanently.

Time is of the essence, significant numbers of accommodations are in danger of closing:

• The chance of survival for firms in tourism and lodging drops to 27 percent by the 6-month mark. That number drops significantly after six months. (National Bureau of Economic Research, April 2020).
• Vermont lodging providers are uncertain when they will be permitted to re-open (that date is currently delayed at least until June 15, 2020). The financial harm being done to our financial well-being is immediate and significant. Revenue lost between March and June is impossible to restore. Revenue projections for June-December 2020 are horrifying. 

Current Federal Aid Packages Have Fallen Short:

Many deserving businesses are successfully utilizing the Federal CARES Act programs - but the duration of state and municipal closures/limits on operations has prevented our lodging industry from using this lifeline. With insurance companies denying our "business interruption" claims, coupled with the inability to secure money through traditional channels, lodging providers are unable to finance the re-opening of our businesses.  Without local, state, and federal assistance, Vermont lodging businesses will most certainly fail. 

Why Save Vermont Lodging?

• Lodging providers contribute to the cultural vitality of Vermont as experience-rich destinations for tourists. 
• Lodging providers are a significant supporter of critical Vermont sectors such as agriculture, restaurants, food and beverage producers, and tourism. 
• Lodging providers create jobs.
• Lodging providers are a major contributor to annual hospitality sector sales.
• Lodging providers are a tax revenue generator, with a total annual Rooms & Meals Tax collections of $123M.

Please Sign This Petition, and Help Us #SAVEBEDANDBREAKFASTS

We are calling on our State Government to provide immediate emergency grant funding so that Vermont lodging providers are not at risk of permanent closure and continue to provide support for our industry through this crisis. 

We are calling on our Federal Government to correct current relief programs to allow lodging providers to access Federal Aid AND create an industry-specific stabilization package. 

We are calling on our friends, neighbors, and Vermont visitors to stand with us by signing this petition. Help us keep our vibrant hospitality and Bed & Breakfast culture alive in Vermont. Let our community know what independent lodging providers mean to you by signing this petition and sharing a note. 

Please help #savevermontbedandbreakfasts #savevermonthospitality #savebedandbreakfasts #dont86us

(ps: when you sign on to the petition you will be asked to "donate" please note that those funds are to support the work of change.org to host and promote this petition and are not directly related to financing our coalition. Please do SHARE this petition with your community). 

#thankyou