Travel Hospitality Services focuses on making travel for families easier.
BUFFALO, NY (September 10, 2007) – When a 2004 survey conducted by the National Business Travel Association found sixty-two percent of U.S. business travelers said they add a leisure component to at least one business trip per year, and two-thirds of them bring family members, Delaware North Companies listened. The company is focused on making airports around the country more accommodating to families traveling with children
A prime example of this is the company’s efforts in the Minneapolis St. Paul Airport where two unique family product stores have opened. The Delaware North operated Gadgets-To-Go carries a wide variety of games, toys and educational brain teasers. Another retail option is Let’s Play which focuses on children ages 0-12 and carries apparel, plush animals, toys and books.
The company’s culinary efforts are geared toward families at Phoenix Airport’s Ocotillo Sun family restaurant. The restaurant keeps both parents and children happy with a plane-shaped menu place-mat offering four meal selection and a small box of crayons. Keeping children both feed and entertained while traveling.
“We are a family company and incorporating family-friendly options into our many venues is of great importance to us,” stated Nick Biello, chief operating officer for Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services. “We are always trying to find food and retail selections that will make it easier for people traveling with young children. We believe our efforts help make such trips more enjoyable for everyone.”
At Detroit International Airport four different children-themed retail locations have begun carrying the popular toy, Webkinz, along with trading cards, coloring books and popular hand held electronic games. The Irish Pub has its own kid’s menu while the Coffee Beanery features grab-and-go cereals, milk and a variety of juices.
Children who visit Buffalo Niagara International Airport have many options while waiting for their flight. The airport is equipped with a Fisher Price play area pre- and post-security. Burger King is also a pre-security option and many of the airport’s retail stores offer kid-friendly items such as stuffed animals and board games. In Austin-Bergstrom Airport, kids can shop for their own small piece of Texas in the Little Texan. The unique store features a variety of local-themed apparel, backpacks and old-fashioned games.
“Without a doubt, we work hard to make our airports accommodating to kids and families,” stated Biello. “But, I think the key to making trips easier for all travelers is choosing retail and dining options which enable kid and adult travelers to co-exist peacefully. We make decisions that will make airports more enjoyable for everyone who goes through them, and kids and young children are a big part of that equation.”
At George Bush Intercontinental Airport, restaurants like Bubba’s Bayou City and Bubba’s Grill have kids’ menus and offer easy-access tables for those traveling with children. The restaurants’ menus are also geared toward adult travelers who need a good meal during a layover. According to Biello such balance is instrumental in solidifying the airport as one of the country’s most accommodating.
Syracuse Hancock International Airport has gone beyond simply offering options geared toward children and even helps host an Aviation camp which was developed by the Syracuse Parks and Recreation Department. Delaware North provides healthy meals for all the children, airplane toys and gives a detailed behind-the-scenes tour of all the food and beverage and retail operations at the airport. The camp is designed to provide young people with exposure to the industry and the wide careers available in those fields.