Atlantis Paradise Island has released findings from a new meetings-focused survey of more than 2,000 meeting attendees, planners and third-party sources across the U.S. and Canada.
The survey offers insight into how meetings and events travel is evolving, and why large-scale experiential resort destinations with seamless access and expansive infrastructure are increasingly favored by both planners and attendees.
The findings come as Atlantis continues to strengthen its position within the meetings and incentives sector. Most recently, the resort was named 2026 Independent Hotel Partner of the Year by HelmsBriscoe, the world’s largest third-party meetings and events agency, recognition that highlights Atlantis’ continued investment in group programming, operational excellence, and its ability to deliver large-scale experiences for corporate meetings and incentive travel.
Sustained Demand Heading Into 2026
75% of respondents attended a meeting, conference, awards recognition, or event in the past year, signaling sustained demand across the sector. Looking ahead, more than 92% expect to travel two or more times for meetings in 2026, with nearly four in ten anticipating four or more trips.
The findings underscore a shift in how professionals evaluate meetings destinations and what’s driving attendance. Ease of access and direct flights rank as the top motivator for attending resort-based conferences (65%), outweighing amenities, dining, and entertainment. Destination appeal remains critical, with 74% rating it “extremely” or “very” important, while variety of meeting and event space (53%) and quality accommodations and amenities (41%) follow closely behind.
The results reinforce demand for destinations that combine aspiration with operational ease, an area where Atlantis—a bucket-list destination backed by strong infrastructure—is well positioned.
The Rise of the All-in-One Resort
The survey also confirms the growing dominance of the all-in-one resort as the preferred meetings format. An all-in-one resort experience is most appealing for off-site meetings and events say 70% or respondents, and nearly half (46%) value the ability to combine work and leisure, framed around efficiency and productivity rather than escape. Consistency, dedicated meetings support teams, and rewards for group bookings rank above sustainability initiatives as loyalty drivers.
This integrated approach—where meetings, accommodations, dining, and experiences exist within a single destination—is increasingly viewed as a practical advantage rather than a perk. Features such as Atlantis’ customizable Group Meal Plans further simplify planning and budgeting for organizers.
Bleisure Goes Mainstream
Once considered niche, extended stays tied to meetings are becoming increasingly common. 67% say they are likely to extend a work trip or bring family before or after a meeting, and among those bringing companions, 65% would bring adults, followed by teens and school-age children. Today’s meeting travelers are planning for flexibility well beyond the agenda itself.
Access as the Gating Factor
Despite strong demand, cost remains a key consideration. 61% of respondents cite flight pricing as the biggest challenge when booking events in the Caribbean, underscoring the importance of destinations that offer choice, flexibility, and multiple points of entry.
Atlantis offers nonstop air connectivity from major U.S. gateways including New York, Chicago, Washington DC, Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, and Boston, with additional Southeast coverage via Atlanta, Charlotte, and Miami. Canadian travelers have direct service through Porter Airlines, WestJet, and Air Canada from Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, and Montreal. New nonstop routes from Minneapolis, Detroit, Raleigh and Tampa launch this year, alongside increased frequencies from Miami and Atlanta.
Looking Ahead
When asked how likely they are to request Atlantis for a future corporate meeting or event, respondents delivered a well-above-industry-benchmark Net Promoter Score of 41.65. Respondents cited the all-in-one resort experience as Atlantis’ top meetings value driver (79%), followed by dining options, post-conference beach time, and entertainment offerings. One-third noted Atlantis as especially well-suited for conferences and incentive programs.
With 52% of respondents reporting higher attendance than prior years and another 35% indicating stable participation, the survey points to a clear recalibration in how planners and attendees evaluate destinations. Accessibility, integrated design, and seamless large-scale execution are no longer nice-to-haves; they are baseline expectations. Atlantis will introduce additional programming and promotions informed by these findings in the months ahead.
For more information, visit atlantisbahamas.com/meetings | Survey conducted by Zoho Survey.
