(BPT) – More and more, Millennials are on the road for work. In an average month, one in four business-travelling Millennials travel overnight for work at least once per week.
As the line between “personal” and “business” grows thinner and thinner for this generation, Millennials are increasingly finding adventure through business. More than any other group, Millennial business travellers are more likely to add on extra days to their business trip for leisure travel (84 percent) according to the Hilton Garden Inn Discovery and Connection Survey. Millennials are funding these adventures through their business trips, too. The vast majority of this group (85 percent) is more likely to use reward points from their business travel to book a vacation, compared to a year ago.
As the economy improves, business travel across the nation is on the rise. According to the Global Business Travel Association, U.S. business travel is expected to grow 5.1 percent in 2013. As more Millennials hit the road for work, they are keeping top of mind a few, simple business travel perks to fulfil their appetite for personal adventure and discovery:
- Fly for free – Those flying for business can earn airline miles in their name. These business miles quickly add up, allowing travellers to upgrade seats or add another destination without accruing additional cost. Business travellers can then use these miles to bring a friend or loved one on the trip with them – quickly transitioning from business to family vacation or romantic getaway once the weekend hits.
- Earn hotel perks – Frequent stays in hotels offering rewards programs can grant business travellers benefits like free overnight stays, late checkout, and complimentary breakfast. These extras turn a business trip into much more, especially when additional nights are used to extend a business trip into a vacation. Some hotels have signature promotions, such as Hilton Garden Inn’s Bed n’ Breakfast deal that includes breakfast for each adult staying in the same room, and free meals for kids 12 and under.
- Discover local hidden gems – Cities often encourage business travellers to experience the local culture while in town and provide package deals with discounts to restaurants, tickets to local shows or events, helpful tips to find transportation in the city and even sightseeing opportunities to explore during free time. This becomes even more common when a city is hosting a large business gathering, such as an industry convention.
Millennials continue to be at the forefront of achieving work-life balance – utilizing business travel to discover new cities, explore local cultures, taste authentic cuisines and connect with new people across the country and around the globe.
