Mixing business with pleasure is a trend that promises to bring increased benefits to Omaha.
After two strong years for the travel industry, both locally and nationally, experts agree that the travel boom is starting to level off. The economy and inflation are inspiring tighter budgets for getaways. In fact, a recent study by Destination Analysts found that tourists expect to spend an average of $3,505 on travel in the next 12 months, the lowest amount since 2021. However, vacations remain a priority for most households. When tighter budgets meet the desire to travel, creativity is born!
“Bleisure” Travel—a blending of business and leisure travel—is a re-emerging trend occurring one of two ways: business travelers add days to their stay and/or they bring their families along. Tourism Economics, an independent travel research company, predicts that 30% of all business trips will have some leisure component to them. This trend typically means adding days to the beginning or end of the work trip, which increases visitor spending at local restaurants, retail shops, attractions, and hotels.
Visit Omaha leans into the bleisure benefits. When selling the city to meeting and sporting event planners, the Visit Omaha sales team uses “Omaha: Where Work & Play Meet” on all promotional materials. This reminds planners that after the meeting is over, event attendees have a variety of entertainment options to choose from, not only a key factor in the host city selection process but also a way to convince attendees to transform their trip from business to bleisure. Considered an affordable destination, Omaha is keenly positioned to take advantage of the bleisure trend. Home to seven Fortune 500 and 1000 headquarters that attract business travelers from across the globe and home to the world’s best zoo, travel-worthy restaurants, and a vibrant art and history scene, Omaha has its own special blend to please these budding bleisurites.
Are you ready to test the trend? We are.
For more information, go to visitnebraska.com/omaha-convention-visitors-bureau
This article originally appeared in the April/May 2024 issue of B2B Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.