INSIGHTS
Integrating leisure into incentive travel programs
Incentive travel has long been a golden nugget in employee reward and recognition, offering top performers a well-deserved getaway to say thanks for their hard work. But these days, recognition alone isn’t always enough. Employees want more. Time to unwind. New places to explore. Leaders who back them in doing so.
Enter bleisure.
What is bleisure?
Bleisure blends business and leisure travel. It offers employees the chance to explore, disconnect, and enjoy some personal time away from work and colleagues.
Incorporating leisure into incentive trips can be particularly appealing for younger team members, who often value experiences and work-life balance highly. That said, the flexibility benefit of bleisure does resonate across all age groups, making it a win for everyone.
For incentive travel programs, this often takes on two forms:
- Free time scattered throughout the work-trip itinerary.
- Allowing employees the flexibility to extend a work trip to add on a personal holiday.
Bleisure can come in all forms, here are some examples:
Why bleisure belongs in incentive programs
We get it. Incentive trips are already designed to be amazing. However, weaving in leisure components or making it easy for employees to do their own travel takes it to the next level. Along with the main benefits of bleisure and incentive travel programs, here's why it's worth considering:
- A leisure-filled trip will create memories people will remember and talk about forever.
- A trip that’s part reward, part holiday amps up the appeal, and the attendance rate.
- Integrating leisure shows employees you respect their time and value their wellbeing, creating loyalty and long-term satisfaction.
We're definitely seeing a shift toward incentive travel programs that include more free time, and it's a trend we don't expect to slow down anytime soon. Companies are also recognising that offering the option for employees to bring their families along, or extend their trip so others can join later, is becoming increasingly important.
– Shannon Kling, National Operations Leader, FCM Meetings & events
How it could work for your team
Choose destinations with appeal
The key to bleisure travel success is picking the right destination. Look for places that check all the boxes — facilities for group activities & stays, culturally appropriate & safe, diverse options for leisure and adventure, and proximity to must-visit holiday spots.
Pro tip: Gateway cities like New York or London can be your best friend when offering your team the opportunity for bleisure. These global hubs offer a mix of world-class venues, endless activities, and easy access to dreamy holiday destinations like Montreal, Miami, Paris, or Rome.
Set clear guidelines
Leisure time is a great perk in a business trip program, and who doesn’t love a bit of sight seeing? But it works best with some ground rules. Set clear expectations about how much time employees can take, and what costs the company will and won’t cover. If leisure is sprinkled throughout the trip, communicate clear timings to avoid any mishaps.
Pro tip: Share a detailed itinerary upfront, highlighting mandatory events and free time slots.
Flexible itinerary planning
If having ‘free time’ on your itinerary feels too informal, include opt-in and out activities like yoga sessions, wine tasting, or walking tours. Give your team the freedom to choose what they want to do and when.
Pro tip: Be sure to consider how the time of day will affect your optional activities. No one wants to go on a sweaty beach walk at the hottest time of day or try local wines first thing in the morning.
Blend it into team activities
Leisure doesn’t just mean free time. It can be built into the itinerary through fun, local experiences that also double as team-building moments. Think cooking classes in Italy, Great Barrier Reef snorkelling adventures, or cultural tours through Japan’s renowned temples and foodie streets.
Pro tip: Our team partners with local experts, guides, and destination management companies on your behalf to ensure that the activities are authentic and offer a real taste of the destination.
Leverage technology
Using event apps or dedicated websites can add that extra touch. Provide info on local attractions, dining spots, and leisure activities so attendees can easily engage and get excited about the destination.
Pro tip: Include a digital destination map with curated recommendations from the incentive trip planning team. It’s a little something extra that makes a big difference in helping your team make the most of their time.
You may also like...
