“Bleisure” the New Trend in Business Travel

“Business or pleasure?”

How many times have you been asked that question by a friend, relative or hotel front desk clerk? And while it’s fairly common, the answer is not always so simple.

Blended travel – mixing business excursions with leisure vacations – also referred as “Bleisure” (business + leisure) or “Workcation” – is rapidly gaining market share according to hospitality industry leaders. Bleisure can take several forms, from extending a business trip over a weekend to company-sanctioned remote work from far-away lands.

Since 2016, Bleisure Travel has increased as much as 60%. And the pandemic has made the concept even more appealing. According to a survey by the Global Business Travel Association, interest in blended travel has increased by 30% since pre-COVID. It’s pent-up demand or “revenge travel,” as one hospitality CEO puts it. People are ready to travel again, but not as frequently as in the past. “A trip needs to be made to feel well worth it,” said Eric Birnbaum, CEO of Dreamscape, a hospitality and entertainment company, in a recent article for Forbes.

With this popularity, more businesses are creating policies addressing blended travel, focused on risk management issues (such as duty of care, health and well-being, and security), as well as costs and logistics. Any additional expense is typically borne by the employee. And workers and supervisors must clearly set boundaries and expectations of when the employee is working and when not.

Ultimately, the blended trip concept seems to be a win-win for both businesses and employees. Both employees and employers see it as a perk, promoting a better work-life balance and reducing stress.

According to industry executives, Bleisure is a trend to watch in the coming years, as the labor shortage, the changing demographics of the work force, and rise of remote work continue to reinvent the workplace.

What do you think? Is Bleisure travel something you’d consider as an employee or employer? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. We’d love to hear your opinion.