Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 24, 1993 TAG: 9301260256
SECTION: ECONOMY PAGE: EC-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MAG POFF STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
BELLMAN SAYS BUSINESS GOOD, SHOULD GET BETTER
People seem to be traveling as much as ever and, according to Gordon Bell, they are tipping just as generously.Bell is in a good position to observe the travel industry closely. He has spent the last two years working as a bellman at the Radisson Patrick Henry Hotel, the new name for the historic property in downtown Roanoke.
The past few weeks, right around the Christmas holidays, have been slow. But that's the slowest season for business travel, Bell said, when the pace falls off every year.
This season was no worse than in the past and is probably better, he observed. He expects things to pick up in the spring. May, for instance, is one of the busiest months at the Patrick Henry.
Bell enjoys his work because "I've met a lot of nice people. People are just as nice as can be."
He noticed a spurt in the hotel's business last fall when the Patrick Henry affiliated with the Radisson chain. The number of guests, he said, "picked up pretty quick."
That's why he believes the coming travel season will be a very good one for the hotel.
Hotel guests are tipping him at the same level as in the past, he said.
Business travelers, who account for the largest share of the hotel's clientele, are on expense accounts and probably write off reasonable tips.
But Bell said leisure travelers who come on weekends, perhaps for a wedding at the hotel, are just as generous in their tips as in the past.
Bell is the father of a 9-year-old daughter and a son who was born Nov. 23.
His wife quit her job so she can take care of the baby. Bell said his family has no problems making a go of it on his income alone.
But it will be good when spring comes, he said, because the hotel business here "is going to really pick up."