In today’s dynamic workplace, the lines between professional and personal life are becoming more fluid—and travel is no exception. Welcome to the world of Bleisure Travel, where business trips evolve into enriching personal experiences, and corporate travel becomes something employees look forward to.
What is Bleisure Travel?
Bleisure (business + leisure) travel is exactly what it sounds like: the practice of extending a business trip for leisure purposes. Whether it’s tacking on a weekend after a conference or bringing along a partner to explore a city between meetings, employees are increasingly turning work trips into mini getaways.
Why Is Bleisure Travel Booming?
As work becomes more flexible and companies embrace hybrid cultures, employees are rethinking how they approach business trips. And companies are starting to see the benefits. Here’s why it’s taking off:
- Work-Life Integration: Employees want more balance—and bleisure travel helps them unwind without taking extra PTO.
- Employee Wellness & Satisfaction: Travel can be tiring. Allowing employees to decompress before or after meetings boosts morale and reduces burnout.
- Smart Cost Efficiency: Often, the return leg of a trip can be shifted by a day or two without extra cost, and some leisure activities are funded personally—making this a win-win.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
A recent report from Brisbane revealed that “bleisure” travel was behind a record-breaking $11 billion in visitor spending, with a 13.5% rise in corporate visits and 5.8 million business-related overnight stays. The message is clear—bleisure is shaping the future of travel.
Who’s Embracing It?
- Consultants who travel weekly and want to make the most of new cities
- Tech professionals attending global summits or client demos
- Marketing and creative teams traveling for events and campaigns
- Senior leadership combining site visits with team retreats
How Companies Can Support
- Bleisure Travel Update Travel Policies: Allow for flexible return dates or mixed-use bookings.
- Use Smart Travel Platforms: SaaS tools like taSki help employees plan travel while staying compliant with corporate policies.
- Offer Local Guides or Partner Perks: Help employees make the most of their destination by curating experiences or providing local discounts.
- Maintain Clear Boundaries: Keep business and leisure expenses separate with smart booking and expense controls.
Final Thoughts
Bleisure travel isn’t just a passing trend—it’s a shift in how we think about work, travel, and life. By embracing this hybrid approach, companies can improve employee satisfaction, reduce burnout, and even make business travel more productive.
As the workforce evolves, companies that adopt flexible, employee-centric travel strategies will stay ahead—creating a culture where work and well-being move in sync.