August 8th is the third National Pickleball Day. With more than 50 years of history behind him, pickleball is a sport with a shocking impact, but it has suddenly found its way into American culture, both as a leisure activity and as a professional sport, and is causing a stir in the hospitality industry.
“Pickleball tends to be at the forefront of activities that guests engage in during their stay,” said Wellness Director Ashley Kohler. destination Kohler, a 100-year-old 5-star property located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The resort has experienced a staggering 700% increase in pickleball his court utilization.
By 2022, 1 in 9 Americans (36.5 million) have played the sport at least once, and 45% plan to play it more often in the next six months.What inspired pickleball luxury resort Like Club Med and Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, why not keep an eye on what’s happening in the world of leisure sports?
The answer is that many Americans choose destinations based on the presence or absence of pickleball courts, a growing popularity that influences vacation choices.
Megan Crosey, Owner Delightful Escapes Travel LLCsays Austin, Texas. “Customers came to me wanting to book a vacation and were told to limit the resorts they quoted to resorts with pickleballs. I will not be staying at the
So the popular sport with this quirky name scores big points in hotel bookings. Major league points.
Funny-looking balls make a big impact
Around the world the pickleball market was held in high esteem $1.3 billion By 2022, it is expected to grow in size and surge to US$2.4 billion over the next five years. Many hotels across North America report increased bookings as a direct result of sports.
broadmoor Colorado Springs, Colorado saw an increase in bookings directly related to pickleball. “Our hotel has always been known for our tennis camps, but this year we have booked 120 rooms as a result of booking our five-week adult pickleball camp,” said Karen Schott, director of racquet sports at the hotel. talk. “Additionally, he held two tournaments at Pickleball, responsible for booking about 40 rooms.”
Why is pickleball so appealing?
Combining elements of table tennis, tennis and badminton, pickleball has seen a surge in popularity due in part to its low barriers to entry. The game is relatively easy to learn and play, takes place on a court the size of his quarter of a tennis court, and doesn’t require much running, making it an attractive option for a wide range of players. .
Christine Lozada avid traveler An avid sports fan, she often chooses accommodations based on her love of pickleball. She added, “When deciding which resort to do business with, I always look to see if the resort organizes pickleball play or if only court time is reserved. Open play. Hanging out with the locals inside might give you the best secret travel tips!”
Todd Ponder, professional pickleball player and instructor water sound club In Northwest Florida, “I know a lot of people have seen this and learned how to protect their knees and joints and play a faster paced game on very tight surfaces.” I have an 80-year-old grandma who wears them, and they scare me the most because they’re the ones I’m going to destroy.”
“Pickleball is for everyone, regardless of sporting background, age or experience. Haim says. Wild Dunes Resort. “I believe everyone has the ability to play pickleball. Instant success, fun and camaraderie are the foundations of pickleball’s success, growth and popularity.”
Resort strives to meet demand
Rosado doesn’t have to struggle to find a vacation destination that meets her expectations. Across the country, he has more than 11,000 facilities certified as official pickleball venues, according to. USA PickleballMany of them are in the hotel industry.
Many resorts and hotels are converting seldom-used tennis courts into full pickleball courts to keep up with demand.
Club Med has an estimated 70% increase in bookings to play pickleball at its North American resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico in 2023 compared to 2022. In response to this increase, Club Med recently updated his four pickleball courts located on the premises. Club Med Cancunaiming to increase to 10 courts by 2024.
“Pickleball visitors have grown significantly in recent years, and this change has been particularly pronounced at tropical resorts in North America,” said Amelie Brouhardt, Club Med’s vice president of North American marketing and US sales. “Our immediate response was to invest in our infrastructure by building all-new courts (some of them by the ocean!) and facilities to meet this growing pickleball trend.”
The sport is also popular at wedding parties at Colorado Springs’ Broadmoor, where guests incorporate time spent on the court into their wedding weekend schedule. Schott reports that he has already booked 10 wedding parties for 2023 and expects that number to grow further.
Hotels like The Broadmoor are innovatively adapting to this trend, striving to meet their clientele’s demand for sport, even if it requires an unconventional approach.
Building a one-stop shop for pickleball
of Aspen Meadows Resort Aspen, Colorado saw a 200% increase in pickleball court usage. They have added three permanent courts, he added, and he plans to add three more next year.
“The biggest draw is that our tennis center, operated by Cascade Tennis, seems to offer professionals who can set up private and group lessons and clinics,” said Annie Ping, director of sales and marketing for Aspen Meadows Resort. Kurt says. “They can come here and use or buy rackets, balls, even shoes and other apparel. No need to look for it, it’s all there when you arrive, or you can arrange it all before your stay.
Cruise companies also make waves in the industry
Major companies such as Margaritaville and Holland America Line have joined the effort by sponsoring pickleball leagues and adding courts to their ships. Carnival Cruise Company and Royal Caribbean Cruise Company hold pickleball he tournaments for their guests.
Kacy Cole, Vice President of Marketing holland america line“Reflecting its rapid growth as the fastest-growing sport in the United States, pickleball is the most popular sport on our ships. It’s great to watch them tie in. The ever-changing scenery makes for the perfect backdrop for pickleballs.”
All Holland America Line ships are equipped with pickleball courts. In addition, we offer free beginner lessons with our onboard instructors. Teach your guests the rules and basics of pickleball, including where to find the “kitchen” and what it means to hit the “dink” shot.
Get into action in a big city hotel
no need to go to the beach Mexico Alternatively, you can cruise to the Caribbean Sea and join in some pickleball action.Even a hotel in a big city that has been in business for 110 years Amway Grand Plaza Hotel picking up a paddle Four rooftop pickleball courts were recently added to this historic luxury property in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
“Since the completion of our rooftop pickleball court in July 2022, we’ve seen an increase in demand from players who enjoy early morning sunrises to night owls who want to play under the lights,” said Ross Bartlett, the hotel’s general manager. We have seen a steady increase in usage and demand.” ”
According to Bartlett, the hotel saw a 400% year-over-year increase in revenue from court bookings and a significant increase in positive guest comments about the hotel’s pickleball activities.
Resort Gives Innovative Twist To Pickleball
Rather than content with just adding pickleball to their list of amenities, some resorts are putting innovative twists on this already popular game. Omni La Costa Resort and Spa The growing popularity of San Diego pickleball has doubled our pickleball footprint since 2021.
Club director Dustin Irwin said: “We now offer our popular ‘put and pickle’ program where participants play nine holes in the morning, followed by a game of pickleball, followed by lunch.” Stated.
The sport has become so popular with guests that now with a dedicated pickleball expert on staff, the resort can offer pickleball 101 classes, intermediate clinics, open play, private and semi-private lessons Now
of Margaritaville Beach Resort Riviera Maya offers fun services, such as glow-in-the-dark programs, to differentiate resorts within the market.
More Resorts Increasing Pickleball Presence
of Hilton New Orleans Riverside began offering pickleballs nearly a decade ago when long-time tennis members needed a low-impact sport. Very popular, he now owns six indoor courts.
of Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman offers two new pickleball courts with private lessons, group lessons, junior academies and more.
As recently as June 2023, Fairmont Chateau Whistler At the request of visitors, the outdoor tennis courts have been replaced with four pickleball courts.
later this year, Hacienda Del Mar Los Cabos Resort An international pickleball tournament sponsored by the Los Cabos Tourism Board.
Scottsdale has proven to be a popular pickleball getaway spot.of Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale is just one of many hotels in the city taking part in the initiative. They recently introduced his four new pickleball courts with state-of-the-art ProBounce technology. It’s uniquely designed to keep you cool and reduce stress on your body, with options for every skill level.
This article was created by media decision Syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.
Karee Blunt is the founder of OurWovenJourney.com, a travel blog focused on inspiring others to create memorable adventures with their loved ones. Callie is passionate about encouraging others to step out of their comfort zone and live the life she dreamed of. She is the mother of her six children, including four of hers from her adoption, and lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest. To learn more about Callie, visit her About Us page.
