The Rise of Bleisure Travel

“Business or leisure?”

The next time a flight attendant asks you this question (or at least after you’re done reading this article), your answer will likely be “both”!

Business trips are hardly any fun.

“When do I land? Where am I checked in? When’s that super important meeting? Do I have all the deliverables and presentations ready or planned?”

That’s the average corporate travel experience.

However, a new travel trend is gaining traction and challenging this notion of busy and boring business trips.

It’s called ‘bleisure travel’, and its captivating the imaginations of globetrotting professionals and wanderlust-driven adventurers alike. A refreshing fusion of business and leisure, this burgeoning phenomenon is quickly becoming a hit among both employees and employers.

What is Bleisure Travel?

Bleisure travel combines the best of both worlds - the professionalism of business travel with the excitement of leisurely exploration. Basically, you expand the business trip by a few days, making time for a quick but enjoyable vacation before or after the trip.

It strikes that perfect balance between work and play during your travels.

You attend those crucial meetings. Seal the deal.

But then instead of rushing back home, you extend your stay and explore the foreign city, soaking up the culture, sights, and flavors.

The concept isn’t entirely novel. In fact, the term ‘bleisure’ was coined way back in 2009. This may not be the first-time people are combining business trips with vacation, but the post-pandemic era is witnessing a wave of bleisure travel like never before.

So, what's all this hype about?

Bleisure Travel the New Rising Trend? What Numbers Say

Recent reports and surveys provide plenty of numbers and figures to highlight the state of bleisure travel post pandemic.

• According to a GBTA (Global Business Travel Association) report, 40% of business travels turn into bleisure trips, and that 48% millennials have intentionally combined business and leisure into the same trip. (Source)
• A 2021 Global Rescue survey stated that 89% of participants planned to extend their business trips for some personal vacation time. (Source)
• Another recent research by Expedia Group found that 76% of business travelers were planning to include leisure in their work trips within the next 12 months. (Source)
• The American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), in their 2022 State of the Industry Report, stated that bleisure travel had “exploded” after travel restrictions were lifted off. (Source)

It’s clear that the post-pandemic workforce is actively and excitedly embracing the concept of bleisure travel.

But we need to ask – why?

Because it’s a big deal for hotels and other businesses in the hospitality industry.

And it could reveal insights for both employers and employees to plan smooth and enjoyable travels.

Of course, one key factor is the bottled-up wanderlust of people during the lockdown.

But there are more factors at play that’s encouraging people to turn business trips into bleisure.

It’s cost-effective for both parties

In a bleisure trip, the company usually covers business-related expenses – including flight tickets, while employees pay for their personal leisure.

Now when you extend the travel by a few days, you’ll likely have to pay for those extra days of accommodation as well. But it’s still cheaper because hotels offer discounted rates and exclusive offers to companies for business trips, which would also apply to your extended stay. You don’t get such discounts for normal vacations.

So you can enjoy a quick vacation without having to pay for the flight, plus discounted hotel rates!

Even companies benefit financially by allowing employees to extend work trips. Allowing employees to extend their trip for a few days can save you money on flight tickets. For example, if the employee doesn’t have to strictly join office on a Monday, the company can avoid booking expensive weekend tickets and can get a return flight for cheaper days like Tuesday.

According to Forbes, hotels and agencies are increasing their efforts to attract bleisure travelers.

Some are offering special packages for corporate guests, while many others are offering tailored assistance to help their guests discover popular destinations and plan their itineraries to have the best experience in a short time.

Nadiya Makarenko, senior VP of Travel Edge Network, mentions:

“Hotel partners are introducing new room types focused on longer stays. These room types are offered in a variety of price ranges, characterized by apartment elements that allow for long-stay comfort.”

Don’t need separate time for vacation

A large portion of the working-class population consists of millennials. And a survey by Publicis Sapient reports that a majority of millennials are travel enthusiasts who actively seek and desire a few vacations yearly.

But making time for leisure trips amidst their busy work life can be difficult. That’s why bleisure travel has become the ideal solution.

The same survey also highlights that most millennials can complete more than 50% of their workload remotely. So even during the ‘leisure half’ of their trip, they don’t put off work completely, getting things done whenever they can.

In an excerpt from BBC, Richard Tonkin – a Newcastle-based General Manager, says that he likes to include a weekend at the very least in his long-distance business travels. And to make the most out of his short leisure time, he prefers researching and planning ahead of time.

“One of the things I always do before I get to a big city or a new town is book a bike tour. It’s a really great way to see a city quickly, and get you out of bed on your first day after a long flight. You get to see a lot more than you would on a walking tour, and you discover things to go back to in the following days,”

He mentions taking his wife along as well in one of his trips.

“She and I had a whole bunch of days: we did a cycling tour, hired a car and drove out into the country, went to the art gallery and tried out the local restaurants.”

Boost employee morale and productivity

Vacations are great stress busters for corporate workers, uplifting their spirits and improving their work productivity. There’s an entire HBR report dedicated to proving this fact with data-backed findings.

A strictly business-related trip can cause burnout. Such trips are usually short and leave people feeling jet-lagged.

Business coach Marian Their told CNN,

“I landed in Florence at six o’clock in the morning, gave a keynote speech and returned to the airport that evening to fly back to the U.S. I thought, I am never doing this again.”

On the other hand, Stuart Bruce – a PR advisor – stated that bleisure trips make him “work better” and that “it makes the stress of business travel more bearable.”

The bottom line – when employees get a few days extra to enjoy some leisure time during their business trips, they tend to be more productive. Employee satisfaction also goes up, which ultimately benefits the organization.

How Do Employers Feel About Bleisure Travel?

Jenna Liu – Vice President of Global Business Travel Association tells BBC that even employers are supporting the idea of bleisure travel.

“Travel wellbeing relates to job satisfaction, which means people stay productive and stay longer in their jobs.”

According to a GBTA poll, 36% respondents said that their company’s travel policies allow business travel. Another 49% said that while the company policies do not allow bleisure travels, they are still allowed to extend their business trips for leisure on occasions.

So it’s quite evident that employers are also embracing the concept and benefits of blending work and pleasure during business travels.

Having said that, implementing proper policies for bleisure travel is challenging. One major challenge is clearly defining the distinction between personal and corporate expenses within the same trip.

David Reimer, EVP of Global Clients and GM of the Americas at American Express Global Business Travel, tells Travel Weekly that while bleisure has been a hot topic for years, most of this blended travel today happens outside official policy frameworks as what he calls “unstructured leisure.”

Jay Ellenby, President of Safe Harbors Business Travel, also resonates with Reimer, as he says - 

“There are a lot of complications to it that goes beyond the cute word of ‘bleisure.’ We’d all love to see it and it makes every bit of sense.”

Explore the KSA and UAE in Your Next Bleisure Trip

Given the rise of bleisure travel and it’s benefits for both sides of the corporate world, the time is perfect to adapt this trend, while maintaining proper policies to manage expenses.

When it comes to ideal destinations, Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the UAE are emerging as top choices.

Both these regions are rapidly advancing regarding business opportunities and corporate infrastructure. They offer world-class conference facilities and hotel accommodation, ensuring a productive business trip along with a relaxing mini vacation.

After work, there are ample opportunities to unwind, explore, and experience the vibrant culture and cuisine they offer.

Discover the ancient wonders of Mada’in Saleh, a UNESCO World Heritage site, or the vibrant city of Jeddah, known for its stunning coral architecture and bustling souks. Immerse yourself in the local culture and treat your palates with delectable Arabian cuisine. Indulge in retail therapy at Dubai’s world-class shopping malls or experience the thrill of indoor skiing at Ski Dubai. For relaxation, unwind at the pristine beaches of Ras Al Khaimah or enjoy a desert safari adventure in the golden dunes of Sharjah.

The KSA and UAE have plenty to offer for bleisure travellers, encouraging you to come back for more.

Conclusion

Bleisure travel is more than just a trend; it represents a new era of work-life balance, productivity, and employee satisfaction. The cost benefits further sweetens the deal.

With data-backed evidence and industry endorsements, companies are recognizing the benefits of bleisure travel. They are encouraging their workforce to extend business trips for some local exploration and relaxation.

We can expect this innovative travel approach to become an integral part of modern business culture. From attending meetings in the morning to visiting local attractions in the evening, the fusion of work and play in bleisure travel promises an enriching and balanced travel experience for the corporate world.