SHL students present hotel options to town of Ayden

School of Hospitality Leadership students in the hospitality financial management class partnered with the Ayden, North Carolina economic development department for a preliminary feasibility hotel study.

This type of study is not new for this class. Each semester for the last six years, students have conducted similar studies for Greenville, Robersonville, Washington, New Bern, Belhaven, Farmville, Tarboro, Edenton, Green County and Duplin County.

The Ayden County study took place during this term’s first eight-week block.

Working closely with Ayden’s economic development director and under the guidance of SHL Director Dr. Bob O’Halloran, students were given a target opening year for a new hotel of 2024. Five student groups developed plans and conducted research that allowed them to develop a hotel concept with an option to recommend a brand or recommend an independent hotel.

The student groups identified a site, analyzed possible competitors, researched demand for room nights, and forecasted growth rates for the market. They also conducted a penetration analysis for a new hotel, and rate analysis, and estimated operating results for a representative year.

Ayden officials were presented five studies that included hotel brand options Hampton Inn, Best Western Plus, DoubleTree, Best Western and an independent hotel option called Ayden Comfort.

In the spring of 2021, the project location for the same course will be Carteret County.

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