FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — For years, Fort Lauderdale has been known as a hot spot for college spring breakers, family vacationers, conventioneers and cruise line passengers.
But now, so-called “bleisure” visitors — business travelers who extend their trips for a few extra days so they can take in local attractions — are making their presence felt as the COVID-19 pandemic fades and companies again underwrite the cost of sending employees out of town on business, downtown hoteliers say. Nationally, the trend has helped the industry recover from the devastating financial blows delivered by the coronavirus, according to a top industry official.
The visitors to Fort Lauderdale are arriving from large U.S. cities, Europe and South America. One hotel has become a popular spot for technology companies that are using it for brainstorming sessions among employees who haven’t seen each other since the COVID breakout.
