Serene Sonoran Desert retreat, or earthy elegance in Colorado Springs? 19th century city charm, or beachfront sophistication on Galveston Island? Golf, spa, or fitness center? A host of factors contribute to choosing the right hotel for your meeting or event. State of the art technology and ample, flexible meeting space are often among the top of meeting planners’ venue checklists, but equally important consideration should be given to hotel location and amenities. A desirable destination, premium activities and sophisticated food and beverage facilities can make a significant difference in both guest attendance and satisfaction.
We have seen the road warriors of old give way to proponents of the “bleisure” trend in recent years. Increasingly, business travelers no longer want their time away from home to be all work and no play. Scheduling in a friendly game of golf, relaxing massage or time to see the sights makes the stress of business travel more manageable. Bleisure travelers want to expand their horizons and experience new cultures, and they are happy to tack on a couple days of vacation time to do just that. According to travel website Skift’s latest reports, business trips that last three or more days are 30% more likely to include an additional leisure trips, and 84% of bleisure trips are spent in the same city or area as the business trip.