Places to Stay

As travel suppliers look for ways to fill more rooms, there are more and more messages being targeted towards the younger family members, especially those in the 6 to 11 age group. A recent article in the USA Today points to two current trends, the mixing of business and leisure trips together and marketing towards kids.

The mixing of business and leisure travel is nothing new. Currently about 1/3 of business travelers will extend a business trip for leisure when they can. However, this is down from 60% in 2000. We are getting way too serious about our business travel.


If hoteliers had there way, this would certainly change. More and more marketing money is spent targeting the 6 to 11 year olds out there who will influence their parents on travel decisions.

Here are just a few of the travel options targeted to this young demographic:

• The Embassy Suites hotel chain has embassykids.com and offers a Build-a-Bear package.
• Have you ever heard of Nickelodeon? Your kids have and now they have a Nickelodeon Hotel.
• What about the trend in the last couple of years to build hotels with full waterparks included in them.
• Several hotels including the Beverly Hills Residence Inn offer American Girls Packages.

So which hotels do you frequent that take care of your little ones?

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