News & Updates

The arrival of the bleisure traveller

With air arrivals continuing to rise and many hotels reporting a significant increase in conference and event bookings, the Cayman Islands are well positioned for a boost in bleisure travel in 2018. In case you haven’t come across this term before, ‘bleisure’, a blend of business and leisure, is a growing trend in corporate travel. Blurring the lines between work and play, an increasing number of business travellers are adding on a few extra days to relax and have fun.

A 2016 study by Expedia Media Solutions found that, in the US, 43% of all business trips, across domestic and international destinations, were bleisure trips. That figure was as high as 52% when looking at international trips alone. Seventy-one percent (71%) of trips were reported to be two to three nights in duration. More than 80% of bleisure travellers said they tend to stay at the same hotel as they stayed on their business trip, which could mean big business for our Seven Mile Beach resorts with the recently reported influx of event bookings.

So, what does the rise of bleisure travel mean for your next event in Grand Cayman and how can you leverage the trend?

• If you are hosting a conference or event with the aim of attracting international attendees, there’s a good chance that the opportunity to tag on a mini-vacation may be a deciding factor for your target audience. Go for dates at the beginning or end of the week so it’s easier for delegates to tag on a weekend break. Negotiate room rates and booking windows for your group with extended stays in mind.
• Partner with a travel agent to offer a one-stop shop. Working with a professional makes it so much easier for delegates to seamlessly book flights, accommodation and ground transportation as well as the option to coordinate bringing along the rest of the family for a few days.
• Ensure that your event schedule allows time for delegates to enjoy a balance of work and play. Offer suggestions for activities they may enjoy during downtime. Partner with tour operators and attractions to offer exclusive discounts or perks for your delegates and their families.
• Add a Caribbean flavour to your networking events. Whether they are here for business or leisure, more and more visitors to our islands are seeking out local cultural experiences. Showcase the best we have to offer with live local music, art and cuisine.
• Choose a room with a view. Why keep your delegates indoors when we have one of the world’s most beautiful beaches on our doorstep? Yes, rain can be our nemesis at certain times of the year but there are still plenty of indoor venues with stunning vantage points. In addition to the world-class hotel properties along Seven Mile Beach, Prima at Royal Palms, Hemingway’s or The Wharf are all great venues for a cocktail reception or networking dinner with sunset views aplenty.