While everyone knows the Wednesday the day before Thanksgiving is absolutely insane to travel – did you know the Wednesday the week BEFORE Thanksgiving is just as bad for business travelers? In fact, nearly 60% more business travelers are hitting the road that Wednesday than the average weekday — making it the busiest business travel day of the year. And this year is gearing up to be just as busy and STRESSFUL. According to the latest “La Quinta Means Business” survey, 96% of business travelers have had to travel for work the week before Thanksgiving and 81% of them feel they’re likely to experience stress as a result.
But what to do? When the boss says travel, you travel. Enter La Quinta by Wyndham – a longtime champion of the business traveler.
La Quinta is encouraging its guests to take a breather while they take care of business before the holiday rush with its new Take a Paws Project. On the busiest day for business travel, the La Quinta Manhattan Midtown and Chicago Downtown properties will offer frazzled travelers access to special amenities alongside its signature services – like free Wi-Fi, free breakfast, comfortable bedding, and more – to help them triumph in their travels. Guests can say “ohm” to zen offerings including weighted blankets for anxiety-free sleep, endorphin-producing fitness and meditation classes, and a special pet therapy session in the lobby where they can experience the naturally relaxing influence of furry friends.
Research shows that people experience less stress when a dog is around. Little things like petting a therapy dog can increase levels of the stress-reducing hormone oxytocin and decrease the production of the stress hormone cortisol. So, it’s no surprise that the latest “La Quinta Means Business” survey found that 86% of business travelers agree: petting a dog while on a business trip would be one of the best ways to de-stress.
