Is bleisure still on the climb?
Yes, that is the simple answer. But let's chat about how and why this trend is still on people's radar.
What is bleisure
When you hear the word "bleisure," what comes to mind? A long weekend tacked onto a work trip in a tropical destination? While that’s part of it, bleisure travel actually refers to the growing trend of combining business travel with leisure activities. This could involve extending a business trip to include leisure time for sightseeing, shopping, or simply unwinding on a beach.
What does bleisure look like?
As a quick refresher, here are some examples of how bleisure could look:
It's still growing
The bleisure travel market is experiencing pretty rapid growth. Future Market Insights is projecting the value of this global industry to climb from USD 709.2 billion in 2024 to USD 4,219.5 billion by 2034. This growth is more than just big dollars though. It highlights a fundamental change in how business travel is now perceived and conducted.
Further insights from FCM Consulting reveal that business travellers now book earlier and stay longer. Last year, the average stay was four days, now, we're seeing travellers extend their trip to five days or more, a trend that's expected to continue growing. The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) have also seen a rise. With more than six out of ten (62%) business travellers globally mixing business and leisure now more than they did back in 2019. And 79% are looking for accommodation that caters to both work and play.
But why?
The possibilities of bleisure are thought to be all thanks to this shift towards remote and hybrid work. With some, if not most, employees now having the ability to work from anywhere, people are looking to maximise their time. Longer stays and blending work with a leisure component allows employees to slow down, make the most of transit time, and savour the moments of their destinations.
Findings from YouGov, say that business travel is no longer just about meetings. These trips are now about making time to enjoy life's little luxuries, like visiting iconic landmarks or dining at popular restaurants. Not surprisingly, millennials appear to be fuelling this, with 8 out of 10 planning to incorporate leisure activities into their work trips.
The biggest reasons behind bleisure are location appeal, personal time, and cost-effectiveness. And it makes sense right? If your company sends you to Paris, a 24-hour flight from home (if you live in Australia) that costs a small fortune and takes away your sleep, why wouldn't you add a few extra days to explore the Eiffel Tower and eat a croissant, or 10? The bleisure trend is also reflective in the rise of weekend stays being incorporated into business trips. Before 2020, weekend travel was a no-go for business travellers, often flying in and out of their destination on the same day. Now, many choose to include Saturday and Sundays in their stay, enjoying some them time while still having access to log in and work remotely come Monday.
People first business travel
If there is one thing that the events of 2020 taught people, it’s that time is precious. And this merging of business and leisure travel reflects a broader shift in how people now view work. Gone are the days of hustle and grind. People are now seeing a welcome change that's all about making the most of experiences, improving both professional and personal lives.
For companies that recognise and embrace this shift—maybe by encouraging bleisure travel and integrating it into their travel policy—will likely see benefits in employee wellness, satisfaction, retention, and productivity.