Hope For The Holidays

Travelers head south for tropical respite.

As the mercury falls, business travelers' interest in the tropics rises. A recent study by American Express suggests that entrepreneurs favor Caribbean cruises as a way to escape the gray. "Business owners who've had a particularly good year are heading to St. Barts, Nevis, Antigua and other Caribbean islands," says Rich Miller, a vice president for American Express Small Business Travel in New York City.

Indeed, the Caribbean Tourism Organization counted 7.1 million visitors from the United States in 1996, the most current year for which figures are available, up from 6.5 million visitors in 1992. But other hot spots are benefiting from the low temperatures, as well. Travelers are cashing in frequent flyer miles for tickets to destinations like Arizona and southern Florida.

"Business owners are looking for convenience," says David Fine, marketing manager for the trendy Sheraton Bal Harbour Beach Resort and the Key West Hotels near Miami. "They want something close, something in their time zone; they want to stay connected."

This article was originally published in the October 1998 print edition of Entrepreneur with the headline: Hope For The Holidays.