Unraveling the dynamics of bed and breakfast clusters development: A multiscale analysis

Abstract

The growing Bed and Breakfast (B&B) industry has an increasing impact on tourism transition, but the understanding of dynamics of the B&B cluster is still unclear. This study utilizes Zhejiang Province as a case study to explore the characteristics and patterns of B&B clusters and conducts a multiscale analysis of the influencing mechanisms. The research finds that B&B clusters can be divided into four types: Scenic area dependent pattern, Coastal landscape dependent pattern, Ancient village dependent pattern, Traffic-led pattern, demonstrating environmental adaptability and regional differences. As B&B clusters transition from the free development stage to the brand alliance stage, the dominant factors shift gradually from tourism resources and transportation to policy support and innovation. The agglomeration of B&Bs benefits the increase in prices, while it is crucial to control the reception scale and adopt a boutique and personalized approach to gain a competitive advantage. These findings can enrich the understanding of B&B cluster development and provide valuable insights for the B&B industry.