Resorts Tap Into Bleisure Trend to Combine Business and Family Travel


Skift Take

Despite the growing practice of business travelers combining business and leisure travel and bringing their families on business trips, hotels and resorts still aren't widely marketing these kinds of experiences, instead largely showing travelers the business and leisure aspects of a property and letting them put two and two together.
Resorts both all-inclusive and otherwise attract families and couples seeking nearby entertainment and activities for everyone, and perhaps a business meeting or two. With many U.S. travelers taking minimal vacation time, the thought of a business trip involving family members is the only soft spot some people can find. 54% of business travelers who take business trips involving leisure bring their family members along, according to data from a BridgeStreet survey, which included respondents from all corners of the world. And it's resorts like Great Wolf Lodge that are understanding this trend as it grows. Great Wolf Lodge, a chain of 14 resorts in the U.S. and Canada catering first and foremost to short, leisure travel stays for families, estimates 13% of its business now comes from corporate meetings and events at its properties. The resort expects to at least double that percentage within five years.

"Long before [bleisure] was eve