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How Resorts Are Balancing Business and Leisure Travellers

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Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa beachfront property with swimming pool, sun loungers, palm trees, and resort facilities

Attributed to Ahmed Abdraboh, Director of Sales & Marketing at Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa

In the highly competitive hospitality sector, resorts are facing the growing challenge of serving two distinct, yet frequently overlapping, types of guests: business and leisure travellers. The rise of the “bleisure” traveller; a blend of business and leisure; highlights a wider trend in today’s travel landscape. These travellers merge work obligations with their desire for relaxation and adventure, compelling resorts to adjust their offerings to meet the needs of both demographics. Striking this balance can be complex, but the benefits of effectively catering to both segments can be substantial.

Understanding the Unique Needs

Before delving into strategies, it’s crucial to recognize the differing needs of business and leisure travellers. Business travellers often seek efficiency, connectivity, and amenities that facilitate work. High-speed internet, dedicated meeting spaces, and convenient location are paramount. They value streamlined services, express check-ins, and an atmosphere conducive to productivity.

On the other hand, leisure travellers prioritize relaxation, exploration, and experiences. They are looking for leisure activities, spa services, fine dining, and cultural experiences that allow them to unwind and immerse themselves in the local environment. The challenge for resorts lies in creating an environment that simultaneously serves the quick paced demands of the business traveller while providing the dreamlike experiences that leisure travellers seek.

Designing Dual-Purpose Spaces

Resorts are increasingly designing their spaces to accommodate both types of travellers. Flexible meeting spaces that can be easily converted into event venues during weekends or evenings are a great example of this dual-purpose approach. By utilizing movable partitions and adaptable furniture, resorts can create environments that can host a corporate seminar one day and an intimate wedding or social gathering the next.

Besides, resorts can incorporate leisure and relaxation features into areas that business travellers frequent. For example, comfortable lounges equipped with charging stations for devices allow guests to work while enjoying the ambiance. Poolside cabanas that double as meeting points or casual brainstorming areas cater to those who need a break from the traditional boardroom setting. Integrating these elements can enhance the guest experience for both business and leisure travellers.

Enhancing Connectivity

Strong and reliable connectivity is a must-have for business travellers, but leisure guests also benefit from staying connected. Offering robust Wi-Fi throughout the resort is essential. Beyond connectivity, resorts can create work-friendly environments, such as business centres equipped with printers and meeting rooms, where guests can hold casual meetings or work off-site without compromising on comfort.

Additionally, the rise of remote work has blurred the lines between personal and professional life. As a response, resorts are finding ways to make remote work more enjoyable by providing inspiring locations, private workspaces, and even outdoor areas that combine work with leisure. Setting up dedicated “workcation” packages that include accommodations with office amenities lets resorts cater to guests seeking to blend productivity with relaxation without boundaries.

Curating Unique Experiences

For leisure travellers, resorts have traditionally focused on creating unforgettable experiences. Nowadays, these experiences matter to business travellers as well. With “bleisure” travel on the rise, their desire for unique, local activities can significantly enhance their stay. Resorts can curate experiences that appeal to both demographics, such as offering guided tours of local attractions, cooking classes with local chefs, or wellness retreats.

In addition to traditional leisure activities, resorts can design workshops and networking events that facilitate connections among business travellers. By organizing guest speaker sessions, skill building workshops, and panel discussions, resorts can nurture an environment where business professionals can network and learn while on holiday.

Wellness and Relaxation

Both business and leisure travellers share an increasingly common interest in wellness and self-care. For business professionals, long hours of traveling can lead to stress and fatigue. Therefore, wellness facilities; such as spas, fitness centres, and meditation rooms; become attractive perks for this segment. By promoting relaxation and holistic well-being, resorts can cater to business travellers who want to rejuvenate during their stay.

Implementing wellness programs that combine fitness classes, mindfulness retreats, and spa treatments allows resorts to appeal to guests looking for self-care options. Additionally, some resorts are developing wellness retreats specifically aimed at the corporate sector, offering programs that promote teamwork, creativity, and mindfulness training often directly aligned with business goals.

Tailoring Packages and Promotions

Another effective strategy for resorts is to develop tailored packages that target specific groups within the business and leisure traveller spectrum. For example, offering promotions such as weekend corporate retreats, where businesses can host strategy sessions while their employees enjoy leisure opportunities, effectively blends both worlds. Creating promotional deals that include meeting space for companies alongside discounts for leisure activities can greatly enhance the appeal for business travellers looking to unwind after hours.

For leisure travellers, resorts can offer exclusive weekend packages that provide special bonuses for their business counterparts, turning a business trip into an inviting long weekend for the whole family. Childcare services, family friendly activities, and adult only zones create an atmosphere where everyone can enjoy their vacation, regardless of the reason for their stay.

The Role of Technology

In the digital age, leveraging technology is instrumental in balancing the needs of business and leisure travellers. From mobile apps that allow for easy check-in and room service to smart room controls that enhance the guest experience, technology can streamline processes, making them more efficient for business travellers. Meanwhile, technology also allows for leisure focused experiences, such as custom virtual tours or interactive activities that engage guests.

Moreover, resorts can utilize data and analytics to better understand and segment their guests. By analysing preferences, resorts can tailor their offerings and services to meet the expectations of both business and leisure travellers, ensuring no one feels overlooked.

Resorts are navigating the delicate balance between business and leisure travellers in an ever evolving landscape. By understanding the unique needs of each segment and adapting their offerings creatively, resorts can successfully cater to both groups. With strategic planning, innovative space design, and a focus on creating meaningful experiences, resorts not only enhance profitability but also enrich the overall guest experience.

The market for dual purpose travel continues to grow, presenting exciting possibilities for resorts willing to embrace change. As business and leisure become increasingly intertwined, the path ahead is one of collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to exceptional hospitality that meets the needs of all travellers.

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The World Pizza Champion Is Coming to Naughty Pizza in Dubai

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Daniel Staniak joins Naughty Pizza founder and UAE’s Mr Oven, Bart Misztal, for a one-night-only guest chef experience on October 9.

On October 9, Naughty Pizza at Vezul Residence in Business Bay will welcome Polish pizza chef and international consultant Daniel Staniak for a special guest chef evening. Staniak will join forces with Bart Misztal, founder of Naughty Pizza and the UAE’s Mr Oven, to bring three of Daniel’s specially created pizzas to the restaurant.

Naughty Pizza will open as usual from 1pm, with the Daniel Staniak guest chef experience beginning at 6pm. The three special creations will be available alongside Naughty Pizza’s regular à la carte menu, giving guests the opportunity to try Daniel’s creations while enjoying the restaurant’s signature offerings.

From Abu Dhabi to Dubai

The event follows Naughty Pizza’s participation in Abu Dhabi Global Food Week (Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition) from October 6–8, where the brand will appear alongside Esposito Forni, an Italian artisan pizza oven manufacturer known for combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, and conduct daily pizza masterclasses.

After three days of pizza-focused activities in Abu Dhabi, Staniak will head to Dubai for the special guest chef evening at Naughty Pizza on October 9.

Pizza World Champion Daniel’s Creations

For his Naughty Pizza guest chef appearance, Daniel Staniak has created three special pizzas inspired by Italian ingredients and techniques, with each offering a different combination of flavours.

  • Amalfi Touch 2.0
  • Yellow tomato sauce, fried sardines, stracciatella, parsley gremolata, lemon zest and fresh basil.
  • Nolano 2.0
  • Basil pesto, semi-dried red and yellow tomatoes and creamy ricotta.
  • Sweet Dubai
  • Fior di latte, roasted peach, Gorgonzola, bresaola, walnuts and rocket leaves.
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Nilaa Coral Island Introduces a New Expression of Private Island Living to the Maldives

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Nilaa Coral Island Maldives, the first Maldives property from the Italian group, Holding Carisma, opens its doors on the 1st of November on the island of Kodegalaa in the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, introducing a new expression of private island living defined by restraint rather than scale.

Home to just seven villas, each designed as an individual residence, Nilaa reimagines what an island resort can be: intimate and built to feel like a private home rather than a hotel.

“With Nilaa, we wanted to build something that felt like a home, not a hotel,” says Mila Zegna Cagnoli, a member of the owning family. “We wanted every villa to have the warmth and individuality of a home. That is what matters most to us.”

Set in the deep south of the Maldives, near the Equator, Nilaa enjoys a remarkably balanced rhythm of light, warmth and island life throughout the year.

Nilaa has been brought to life around a simple philosophy – luxury is not defined by excess, but by space, privacy, connection, and the freedom to experience each day entirely on your own terms. With a maximum capacity of approximately 40 guests, the island offers an exceptionally intimate setting. Personalised service and a genuine sense of belonging sit at the heart of the experience.

Seven Villas, One Reef
At Nilaa, the island itself is the centre of the experience. Unlike traditional Maldivian resorts where overwater villas extend into the lagoon, every structure at Nilaa sits gently on the island. This preserves the surrounding reef and keeps the natural relationship between sand, sea and vegetation at the forefront.

The seven villas, a collection of two- and three-bedroom homes alongside a single five-bedroom villa, have been designed as individual residences, with generous living spaces, kitchens, high ceilings and private outdoor areas that open towards the island and ocean. Each villa carries its own identity, inspired by the forms and colours of coral and anemones, with bespoke marble selections, natural materials and considered details creating a sense of individuality throughout the property.

The result is a private island experience that feels residential in scale, yet offers the intuitive service of a luxury retreat.

The Maldives of the Past
Nilaa offers a quieter, more authentic perspective on the Maldives – rooted in nature, simplicity and discovery. Its equatorial setting places guests within one of the archipelago’s most remarkable marine environments, where a pristine house reef remains accessible directly from the shore, untouched by the usual resort development.

The reef is an integral part of daily life at Nilaa. Guests can snorkel just moments from their villa, or explore further through the marine center where they offer guided diving, kite surfing, wing foiling, e-boarding, water skiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, parasailing and private boat excursions across the atoll. The island also has a professional dive team that offers experiences ranging from house reef orientation and refresher dives to advanced diving, night dives and PADI courses.

For those looking beyond the reef, Nilaa’s private fleet opens the wider Indian Ocean to exploration, from leisurely cruises and sunset fishing to diving, big game fishing and watersports.

Rather than encouraging guests to fill every moment, Nilaa invites them to slow down and let the island shape the rhythm of their stay.

Where Italian Soul Meets the Maldives
The Italian spirit is woven throughout Nilaa, not as a theme, but as a way of approaching hospitality, design and food. The island has been designed by Hus, the architecture studio based between Milan and Como, drawing from the natural forms of the surrounding environment.

Travertine, coloured marble and natural textures reflect Italian craftsmanship while echoing the tones of the Maldivian landscape. Curved forms inspired by the wishbone, anemone and circle appear throughout the architecture, creating a dialogue between the built environment and the island’s natural character.

This same philosophy extends to service, where warmth, intuition and thoughtful care are prioritised over formality.

A Culinary Journey Across Cultures
Food is central to the Nilaa experience, bringing Italian–Asian culinary dialogue, shaped by Maldivian ingredients and island influences.

Dining unfolds across a number of settings on the island: refined restaurant experiences, intimate chef’s table menus, relaxed poolside dining, homemade bakery offerings, rooftop aperitivo at sunset, and private meals served within the villas.
The emphasis is on food as an experience in itself, rooted in quality, craftsmanship and the pleasure of sharing a meal in remarkable surroundings.

Wellness, Nature and the Art of Slowing Down
Wellness at Nilaa extends beyond the traditional spa experience, with space for guests to attune to both body and surroundings. The island’s boutique spa incorporates traditional and Ayurvedic treatments, while movement and outdoor experiences offer a more active dimension to island life.

Guests can spend the day exploring the reef, playing tennis, taking part in local artisanal workshops, or simply retreating to the beach with nowhere else to be.
For Nilaa, wellness is about creating space: space to rest, explore, and experience the natural rhythm of island life.

An Island Entirely Yours
With only seven villas, Nilaa offers an inherently private setting for travellers seeking an escape shared with those closest to them. The entire island can be completely booked out, creating a private setting for families, multi-generational travel, intimate celebrations, weddings and milestone occasions.

Whether experienced as a private retreat for two or as an intimate island gathering, Nilaa is built on a simple idea: the most meaningful island experiences are often the most personal.

As the Maldives continues to evolve as one of the world’s most sought-after destinations, Nilaa offers a quieter alternative. Here, nature remains at the centre. Design is deeply considered, hospitality is personal, and time is allowed to unfold without hurry. Nilaa Coral Island is an invitation to experience the Maldives differently, not as a destination to simply visit, but as a place to feel truly at home.

Reaching Nilaa
Getting there is part of the experience. Guests fly into Malé International Airport, then continue by private jet or a one-hour domestic flight to Maavarulu Airport. From there, Nilaa’s own boat carries guests across the atoll to the island in just twenty minutes.

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Good Hair Days Start At Breakfast: Mary Ruth’s Liquid Multivitamin + Hair Growth, Now on iHerb Middle East

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The days of thinking haircare starts and ends in the shower are officially behind us. Today’s approach is a little more holistic, bringing together everything from your favorite hair products to the little wellness habits that make up your day. With iHerb Middle East offering an extensive selection of wellness, beauty and self-care essentials from leading global brands, discovering new favorites for every part of your day has never been easier. 

Founded by health educator and nutritional consultant MaryRuth Ghiyam, the brand built its name on liquid vitamins that are as easy to take as they are to enjoy. Today it is known for clean, thoughtfully formulated supplements for every stage of life. 

MaryRuth’s Liquid Morning Multivitamin + Hair Growth – AED 225.46

Consider this your morning multivitamin with a beauty twist. Featuring Lustriva®, it is formulated to support hair growth and healthier-looking skin, but that’s only part of the story. With 10,000 mcg of biotin, all eight B vitamins, vitamin D3 and zinc, it also supports energy metabolism, immune function and your overall everyday wellness. It comes in an easy liquid format with a peach mango flavor, so it feels less like a chore and more like a little morning treat, and it’s vegan, gluten-free and sugar-free as well. Because your haircare routine deserves a spot beyond the bathroom shelf, too. To order the products, visit https://ae.iherb.com/ and keep an eye on iHerb Middle East Instagram, @iherbmiddleeast, for the latest wellness finds, updates, and offers.

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