Resort Consultant

Leisure Business Advisors LLC (LBA) is a consulting firm that conducts the feasibility study, the first step in in the development process. Resort consultants typically prepare this study for the developer, and it is generally required by financing institutions.

The study forecasts targeted usage by applying market penetration rates to market segments. These rates are influenced by market size, demographics, competition, and the experience of comparable facilities elsewhere. The feasibility study also projects potential financial performance and recommends the maximum development costs that would allow an acceptable return-on-investment to investors. These are key issues for those that may finance the project. 

The study also provides initial physical planning parameters to assist the resort designer during the design stage of development. It is critical that the designs are in line with market needs and expected cash flow. These physical planning guidelines need to be in place before construction and building can start. Designers, builders, and managers can all benefit from the guidance provided in the consultant's study. As part of the feasibility study, LBA can work closely with you in preparing the initial image package that would assist designers in the design stage of development that follows the feasibility stage. We could provide a walk-through description and color artist conceptual images of your new resort seen through the eyes of a typical visitor. These would preliminarily suggest its general "look and feel" in financing and marketing presentations. We pride ourselves on prompt service and are also sensitive to time constraints. If needed, assignments can be accelerated for an extra fee.

John Gerner, LBA's managing director, has conducted feasibility studies for themed hotels and resorts in the United States, Asia and South America. Selected past consulting projects are described below.

Great Wolf Lodge Waterpark Resort (Greene County, New York USA)

Great Wolf Resorts is the world's largest chain of indoor water parks, and operates its family resorts under the "Great Wolf Lodge" brand. The resorts also offer specialty restaurants, arcades, spas, fitness rooms and children's activity areas. The first Great Wolf Lodge location opened in 1997 in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. The chain has since added eleven additional locations, with more currently in development.

In 2012, Leisure Business Advisors LLC (LBA) conducted an independent consultant audit of the market feasibility study for a proposed Great Wolf Lodge in the Catskill Mountains tourist destination region. The client was the Greene County Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Planning. As part of this assignment, LBA conducted a series of financial stress tests on the anticipated payment revenues for the proposed infrastructure bonds. Click here to download this publicly available report.

Holiday Village Resort (Ulaanbaatar Area, Mongolia)

Leisure Business Advisors LLC (LBA) was retained by National Venture Capital to evaluate the market and financial feasibility of a proposed themed four-season holiday village resort hotel near Mongolia's capital city of Ulaanbaatar. The entire assignment involved evaluating the concept, analyzing the market, estimating market potential, and gauging financial performance.

Wisp Resort Expansion (McHenry, Maryland USA)

The Wisp Resort is a popular tourist destination that has been rated as one of the top ski resorts in the Mid-Atlantic region. It is a 2,700-acre planned real estate development, with government approvals for approximately 2,500 residential units (townhomes, condominiums, and single family homes).

The Wisp Resort Hotel & Conference Center is located at the base of the mountain.  The seven-story hotel includes 102 suites & 67 standard rooms. Since 2001, the entire resort has undergone more than $30 million in renovations and additions.  Future plans include a mountaintop village, retail shops, restaurants, and additional skier services.

The resort community is considered a four-season market.  Adjacent is Deep Creek Lake, the largest inland lake in Maryland, with more than 65 miles of shoreline.

As a subcontractor to Norton Consulting, Leisure Business Advisors LLC (LBA) analyzed future development options and prepared market share projections for expanding the Wisp Resort in 2008. The client was Signal Hill Capital Group LLC on behalf of Wisp Resort Development, Inc.

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Contact Information

Email Address for Initial Inquiries:
info@leisure-business.com
 
Office Address:
Leisure Business Advisors LLC
2010 Princess Anne Avenue
Richmond, VA  23223  USA

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