Millennials Take New Approach to Work-Life Balance, According to Hilton Garden Inn Survey

MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In an average month, one in four (24%) business-traveling Millennials travel overnight for business at least once per week, according to the Hilton Garden Inn Discovery and Connection Survey released today. More than any other age group, Millennial business travelers are more likely to add on extra days to their business trip for leisure travel than they were compared to a year ago (84%), and even more likely to if the hotel is offering a discount on additional nights, at ninety-two percent.

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"Millennials are creating a very specific kind of work-life balance that makes sense for their generation and the long hours they're putting in," said Judy Christa-Cathey, Vice President of Focused Service Brand Marketing (Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Hotels). "The line between 'personal' and 'business' time is becoming blurred, particularly for this group, so Millennials are finding adventure through business."

The Hilton Garden Inn Discovery and Connection Survey also found that, above any other generation, Millennials cite experiencing new things as the best benefit of business travel (45%), and thirty-seven percent most look forward to connecting with new people while on the road. The majority of this group (65%) said that discovering a new city is the number one motivator to extend a business trip. Millennials are funding adventure through business, too. The vast majority of this group (85%) is more likely to use reward points from their business travel to book a vacation, compared to a year ago.

Discovery on the Road

As the economy improves, business travel across the nation is on the rise according to the Global Business Travel Association. After increasing 1.8 percent in 2012, U.S. business travel is expected to grow 5.1 percent in 2013, the association's Business Travel Index Outlook — United States 2013 Q1 report found. As more and more professionals hit the road, they're seeking personal fulfillment in the experience. Sixty-one percent of business travelers are looking to 'discover a new city' when they add on leisure travel days to a business trip, and they are turning to hotels for social and cultural guidance. Three in five (59%) business travelers turn to hotels before any other resource when looking for more information about their destination, and the majority of business travelers (69%) also turn to their hotel to connect with new people.

Working Mom Guilt – A Thing of the Past?

Many moms today have two full time jobs, and are looking to one for relief from the other. The Hilton Garden Inn Discovery and Connection Survey found that one-third of business traveling moms (32%) would prefer to travel with their significant other but without their children. When on the road for business, forty-two percent of moms most look forward to "me" time, followed by "not having to clean up after myself" (30%), compared to dads who answered 35% and 23%, respectively.

Without the kids, business traveling moms are seeking out a bit of adventure while on the road for work. When asked what the best benefits of business travel are, moms' top answers were experiencing new things (45%) and discovering new places (42%). In contrast, dads tend to look forward to the monetary benefits of traveling for business, including earning hotel rewards points (34%) and airline miles (33%), compared to moms who answered 26% and 24%, respectively.

"We believe that travel -- exploring new cites, meeting new people, enjoying the uniqueness of any destination -- broadens perspectives and cultural acceptance. We want more people to have the opportunity to experience a city for the first time," said Christa-Cathey. "At Hilton Garden Inn, we promote affordable adventure. That's why we're offering low rates, and an amazing Bed n' Breakfast deal, through The Great Getaway program this summer."

Through The Great Getaway program, guests around the world can get attractive hotel rates at more than 560 Hilton Garden Inn hotels across the globe, while enjoying the signature Hilton Garden Inn Bed n' Breakfast deal that includes breakfast for each adult staying in the same room, plus kids 12 and under eat for free!

Consumers also have the chance to win a trip to one of four different getaways June 10 through August 4, 2013 through the Hilton HHonors Great Getaway Sweepstakes. To enter the Sweepstakes, visit www.hhonors.com/getaway. 

To learn more about The Great Getaway or to book a stay, visit www.HiltonWeekends.com. Read more about Hilton Garden Inn at www.hgi.com and www.news.hgi.com.

About Hilton Garden Inn

Hilton Garden Inn is the award-winning, upscale, yet affordable hotel brand that continually strives to ensure today's busy travelers have everything they need to be most productive on the road — from our oh-so-comfortable Garden Sleep System® bed to complimentary wired and Wi-Fi Internet access in all guestrooms. So whether on the road for personal or business reasons, Hilton Garden Inn offers the amenities and services for travelers to sleep deep, stay fit, eat well and work smart while away from home. For more information about our locations around the globe, visit www.hgi.com or call 1-877-STAY-HGI.

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 94 years, Hilton Worldwide has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,900 hotels and timeshare properties, with more than 650,000 rooms in 90 countries and territories and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®. Visit www.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide and www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.

SOURCE Hilton Garden Inn