Millennials Seeking Out More Leisure Activities When Traveling for Business

DALLAS, Oct. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Cities like Las Vegas, Miami and New Orleans feature an abundance of business amenities and leisure activities that make them great meeting spots, but a business trip to almost any top meeting destination can be turned into a mini-vacation, according to Hotels.com®.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131003/DA91504)  

A recent survey conducted by Hilton Worldwide revealed that 84 percent of millennial travelers are likely to extend their business trips to explore cities nearby. Many top U.S. meeting destinations offer business travelers easy access to explore exciting destinations highlighted in the latest Hotel Price Index™ (HPI®) before or after their meetings.

"More young professionals are incorporating leisure time into their business trips to maintain a healthy balance between their work and personal lives," said Taylor L. Cole, APR, travel expert for Hotels.com. "Because of the blurred lines between business and leisure, more millennials are taking advantage of opportunities to explore their wanderlusts while partaking in obligatory travel."

The experts at Hotels.com have identified some attractive destinations within an hour drive or flight from some of the country's top meeting cities.

Dallas
Dallas is home to DFW, the fourth busiest airport in the U.S. , and some of the top-rated airport hotels in the country. But the metropolitan area surrounding the country's 15^th most popular domestic destination according to the latest HPI features a diverse range of cultural destinations, including Denton, which is just an hour-long drive away. With a large array of music festivals, such as 35 Denton in March and the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival in April, the city attracts thousands of tourists throughout the year. Stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Denton (4.6 guest rating; rooms from $109) and feel the vibe of this Southern city.

Travelers with more spare time can take one of the nearly-hourly flights to Austin. This top food and music destination has been steadily rising in popularity and is now the 16^th most visited city for domestic travelers based on HPI. SXSW continues to bring in tourists by the thousands, but visitors can take advantage of the city's vibrant music scene and indulge in a succulent gastronomical experience year-round. Feast on juicy brisket at the famous Franklin BBQ. Stay and catch a show at Mohawk before settling in at the Hyatt Place Austin Downtown (4.7 guest rating; rooms from $179).

Orlando
The Orange County Convention Center boasts the second largest amount of event space in the U.S., making Orlando the top destination for meetings. The HPI reveals it's also the third most popular destination for domestic travel and for foreign visitors to the U.S. Travelers visiting in October can make the short drive to Daytona Beach to take in the sights of thousands of bikers descending upon the city during Biketoberfest. Hit the beach and stay at The Shores Resort and Spa (4.4 guest rating; rooms from $149) or catch a race at the Daytona International Speedway and stay at the Homewood Suites Daytona Beach Airport/Speedway - Daytona Beach (4.5 guest rating; rooms from $109).

Beachgoers can also take advantage of Florida's sunny weather by taking an hour-long flight to Fort Lauderdale. Dubbed as "the Venice of America," this city has more than 300 miles of navigable waterways and over 100 marinas. Stay close to the waterfront at the Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach (4.3 guest rating; rooms from $139).

Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.'s monuments and historic landmarks draw flocks of tourists each year, but they also offer a setting like no other for conferences and events. Travelers can take advantage of the region's food scene by taking the short drive to Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay area, which is known for some of the best seafood on the East Coast. Stay in Inner Harbor at the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore (4.6 Hotels.com Guest Rating; rooms from $189) and make a visit to the iconic National Aquarium.

Travelers who can afford to take the weekend to unwind can catch a short flight to Virginia Beach and the city's 35 miles of coastline beaches. The Virginia Beach boardwalk offers a myriad of attractions, including the Neptune Festival in September, which features the annual International Sandsculpting Championship. Stay close to all of the attractions at the Boardwalk Resort Hotel and Villas - Virginia Beach (4.0 Hotels.com Guest Rating; rooms from $99).

If a business trip spontaneously turns into an extended stay for leisure, the Hotels.com mobile booking app has you covered with more than 20,000 exclusive deals daily. To learn more about these exciting destinations, please visit www.hotel-price-index.com and follow the conversation on Twitter @hotelsdotcom with #HPI.

Press contacts:
Pat Burek – Finn Partners for Hotels.com
Phone: (212) 715-1542
Email: [email protected]
@FinnPartners

Taylor L. Cole, APR
Hotels.com North America
Phone: (469) 335-8442
Email: [email protected]
@TravelwithTLC

About the HPI®

The HPI tracks real prices paid per room by Hotels.com customers at approximately 155,000 properties within the Hotels.com network in major destinations around the world. To access the full report, including videos, detailed maps, colorful photos, a city-by-city breakdown and family travel trends, please visit: www.hotel-price-index.com.

About Hotels.com®

Hotels.com is a leading online accommodation booking brand. Through the Expedia, Inc. global network of websites, Hotels.com, LP connects travelers with approximately 220,000 properties around the world, ranging from international chains and all-inclusive resorts to local favorites and bed & breakfasts, together with all the information needed to book the perfect stay. Hotels.com, LP benefits from one of the largest hotel contracting teams in the industry, obtaining the best rates for its customers, and offers frequent sales, special deals and promotions. There are more than 7 million Guest Reviews on the websites from users who have actually stayed in the hotels to ensure customers can make an informed choice when booking. Through Hotels.com, LP's industry-leading loyalty program Welcome Rewards^®, customers can earn a free* night for every 10 nights stayed at more than 85,000 hotels. Under its Price Match Guarantee†, if a customer can find the same deal for less on a prepaid hotel, Hotels.com, LP will refund the difference. Travelers can book online or by contacting one of the multilingual call centers. Special apps for mobile phones and tablets can also be downloaded at www.hotels.com/deals/mobile_app/ enabling customers to book on the go with access to 20,000 last minute deals. Hotels.com publishes an award-winning twice-yearly review of international hotel room price trends called the Hotels.com Hotel Price Index™, which is now produced in 31 individual country editions, with North American data available at www.hotel-price-index.com. Follow Hotels.com on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Hotels.comUS, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/hotelsdotcom and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/hotelsdotcom. Hotels.com, LP is part of Expedia, Inc., the largest online travel company in the world with an extensive portfolio that includes some of the world's best-known brands. 

Hotels.com, Hotel Price Index, HPI, Finding You The Perfect Place and the Hotels.com logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Hotels.com, LP. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. © 2013 Hotels.com, LP. All rights reserved. CST # 2083949-50

*Unless specified any prices shown are per room per night and exclusive of taxes and charges.  Actual rates and availability for a specific date or hotel may vary at any time. See our website for details. Terms and conditions apply. Guest ratings are taken from the Hotels.com website at the time of writing and may vary at any time. 

† Price match guarantee on hotel bookings. If you find a lower price on exactly the same stay elsewhere, we'll match it or let you cancel your booking without a penalty.  Terms and conditions apply.

SOURCE Hotels.com