I've had an offer of a property here in Ireland and am thinking of making it a 'sober' vacation retreat. It would have great fresh homecooked food and NO BOOZE. The property has a small Gym and is set in beautiful countryside near the sea. Do you think people would be interested?
I know a fella has a big spread down on the southern tip of Nova Scotia. Every year they have corn boils, barbecues, that sort of thing. Always lots of sober people hanging round, camping etc. I don't think he charges them anything except that they supply their own food. They don't announce it in meetings, but sometimes he posts a flyer on the bulletin board and word of mouth advertising is always the best kind.
I guess lots of people would be interested in your idea. If its your property you can certainly do whatever you want with it. I'm sure there's lots to consider about something like that and I'm sure you'll get plenty of input from the old timers here.
Thanks TwistedServant. It's not my property yet.... But could be. It would have to operate as a business so I'm wondering if there would be sufficent interest...
Well as long as you kept in mind that, as individuals we could give you input, but as a group we could not endorse or oppose it because we should stay away from affiliation - actual or implied - with outside enterprises. the traditions and all. but its a good question. there are lots of spiritual retreats, drying out places, rest homes, sober campgrounds that even though not part of AA, they are certainly populated by AA members.
I hope to head over there some day, and that's just the sort of place I'll be looking to stay. A few years back, my brother and I envisioned rooms above a cute pub on our golf(him) and trekking(me) tour of Ireland; that's not an option now.
With the internet, there it's easier to promote an individual rental. I agree, word of mouth could work out for you. Set up a business plan, see how often it would have to be secured as rental for you to make the payments.
These are the sort of rentals my family have used when traveling since we got down with the internet. In the U.S., you can go to a general site for a township or city, and home and room rentals are linked to the sites. I'm sure that's becoming more normal for other places too.
Well as long as you kept in mind that, as individuals we could give you input, but as a group we could not endorse or oppose it because we should stay away from affiliation - actual or implied - with outside enterprises. the traditions and all. but its a good question. there are lots of spiritual retreats, drying out places, rest homes, sober campgrounds that even though not part of AA, they are certainly populated by AA members.
Yes. I'm just testing the water for now. To see if I could generate interest. It would not be any kind of treatment centre. More a country house 'hotel' type with good food and facilities/activities but free of alcohol/drugs
If you're gonna run this as a business, I think you need to make it a business first. So you make it as a holiday destination first, but also have the rider that it is an alcohol free zone. You know how when you're looking for a cottage or a hotel room or something for your holiday, on the websites, you have to apply filters like, smoking permitted, no smoking, open fire, etc. It's just the same.
Like sort of adding a caveat to your advert for XYZ Holiday Cottage,sleeps 4 (1 double, 2 single) off road parking for 2 cars, set in beautiful woodland, 5 minutes from nearest restaurant, beach 3 miles, linen provided, towels provided, open fires, (logs provided), BBQ, pool, jacuzzi, no smokers, alcohol free zone.
Or fully serviced camp site, 35 pitches, hard standing, power and water to each pitch, shower block, recreation room, No smokers, No drinkers. Families welcome, tourers welcome, available for club events.
See what I mean?
Once it's established and you have a regular, sober clientel, then maybe that's when you emphasise the sober destination more?
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It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you got. BB
If you're gonna run this as a business, I think you need to make it a business first. So you make it as a holiday destination first, but also have the rider that it is an alcohol free zone. You know how when you're looking for a cottage or a hotel room or something for your holiday, on the websites, you have to apply filters like, smoking permitted, no smoking, open fire, etc. It's just the same.
Like sort of adding a caveat to your advert for XYZ Holiday Cottage,sleeps 4 (1 double, 2 single) off road parking for 2 cars, set in beautiful woodland, 5 minutes from nearest restaurant, beach 3 miles, linen provided, towels provided, open fires, (logs provided), BBQ, pool, jacuzzi, no smokers, alcohol free zone.
Or fully serviced camp site, 35 pitches, hard standing, power and water to each pitch, shower block, recreation room, No smokers, No drinkers. Families welcome, tourers welcome, available for club events.
See what I mean?
Once it's established and you have a regular, sober clientel, then maybe that's when you emphasise the sober destination more?
Thanks Bill. Sound advice. And thanks also Steve. Very kind offer!!
