Author: Yasmine Micallef
Publication date: 11.7.2024
The concept of ‘bleisure travel’ has been growing in popularity and evolving in the past few years, especially in the B2B industry, where more people are choosing to combine leisure activities in their business trips. As the name implies, this type of travel combines both one’s career and personal life. This article will explore this trend within the B2B travel industry by identifying its characteristics, its benefits, as well as an effective plan of a bleisure trip for a better understanding on how to make the most out of both worlds.
Historical Context
Remote or hybrid working is becoming the choice of many people who wish to work from outside the office in different environments. For this reason, business travel has evolved to accommodate the rising preferences of individuals who wish to work in different environments while exploring another country. Business travel has been around for around three decades, stemming from the rise in technology permitting work without the need to be in a physical office.
Furthermore, the post-pandemic world saw a rise in teleworking and flexible schedules, where people can work from anywhere with a device. More companies are choosing to adopt these work practices and expanding internationally, collaborating with global partners and allowing their workers to travel for business trips.
During the past years there have been factors that facilitated business travel, including paperless documentation, low-cost airlines, more accommodation options and better connections apart from flights. There is also an increase in flight options and direct flights to destinations which were previously less accessible for some.
Understanding Bleisure Travel
Characteristics of Bleisure Travel
· Time: Effective planning for leisure activities after work to manage the limited time you have effectively.
· Flexibility: Booking a leisure holiday at any time of year paves the way for the deseasonalisation of the industry, meaning that you can travel on holiday off peak.
· New habits: New preferences for travellers to work and immerse in the local culture simultaneously.
· Tailor-made bleisure trips: Companies and employers are now providing bleisure packages to their workers, giving them an opportunity to choose from multiple destinations where to work.
Common Bleisure Destinations
The following are common destinations to consider when planning such trips:
· Melbourne, Australia: Working from Crown Towers Hotel, while exploring both the city and the nature side of Melbourne, ranging from wine tasting to road trips.
· Tokyo, Japan: Working from Bulgari Hotel, while exploring Japan’s artistic culture and nightlife in Roppongi.
· San Francisco, United States: Working from San Francisco Proper Hotel, while exploring the city or diverging to the more rural paths, example the labyrinth at Land’s End.
Benefits of Bleisure Travel
There are endless possibilities within bleisure travel, and many advantages when combining business and pleasure. Among which are:
1. Work-life balance: Amalgamating work commitments with leisure activities, reducing travel fatigue and stress as there’s no need to plan separate holidays. This results in being more productive and not being tired from working all the time.
2. Spending time with loved ones: Having the opportunity to bring family and friends to spend time together when not working.
3. Cost efficiency: Minimising costs when combining both aspects, with some companies offering travel deals for bleisure trips.
4. More opportunities and personal growth: Opportunity to explore new cultures and experiences and satisfaction from travelling to new countries through work.
Planning a Successful Bleisure Trip
For anyone who is new to the bleisure scene, it may be overwhelming to plan a business trip and combine it with leisure. These are some tips on how to plan your first bleisure trip:
1. Choosing the right destination: Selecting destinations that are ideal both for work and leisure, with proximity for meeting spaces and also for recreational activities.
2. Review your company’s travel policy: Check for reimbursement and other rules and processes for leisure extensions to work. Be aware of cancellation policies and refund and whether the company will extend its travel policy to include leisure.
3. Book the trip: Check affordable flights and ensure all the flight information is accessible.
4. Accommodation and amenities: Finding hotels or other accommodations that best suit your needs, with amenities such as a strong internet connection and ample space for meetings.
5. Pack smart: Be aware of the weather, the dress code for work and the leisure activities you’re doing. Don’t overpack.
6. Plan your itinerary: Specify the working days and the leisure days so that you have time scheduled for both. Plan in detail both what you intend to do for work and leisure. Include the transportation in the itinerary before you arrive at your destination. Book leisure activities in advance. Careful planning helps with time management and not for one aspect to overtake the other.
Impact on Employee Satisfaction and Productivity
Recent studies concluded that more business travellers are incorporating bleisure travel as part of work, stating that they are more productive and satisfied with their work when they have time to relax and explore the country they are travelling to. 76% of such workers have already done bleisure travelling, while 44% refused work trips with limited leisure time.
Future Directions and Trends
The role of technology will always play a part in facilitating bleisure travel and with rapid advancements in technology by the minute, it is expected that bleisure travel will continue to grow. The pandemic showed us that it is possible to work from anywhere in many sectors, especially the corporate sector, therefore, it is estimated that more workers will take this route.
With more businesses switching to more flexible work practices and allowing their workers to extend their business trips for leisure activities, this trend is being supported by employers as well. People are also discovering more destinations where they can have their work-life balance, something which is always sought. Companies are also providing their employees with detailed business plans to explore new countries and work while spending some time off the office.
Ethical and Societal Implications of Bleisure Travel
Environmental Impact
The environmental impact of bleisure travel is the same as any other form of tourism. The main factor circulating this impact is over-consumption, leading to the depletion of natural and material resources. Additionally, more waste is created through over-consumption, and depending on the place of consumption, the higher the carbon footprint. There is also increased water use and pressure on local land use, with more resources being exploited.
Impact on local economies and communities
Tourism generates revenue and job opportunities and overall boosts the economy of a country. Local communities and economies will benefit if tourists choose wisely how and where to spend their money and time. However, tourism may disrupt small communities if such places are overcrowded with tourists, with services catering exclusively for tourists.
Responsible Tourism Practices
The growth of travellers and tourists will have an ethical or environmental impact for the locals and the place of destination. The following are tips on how to support local communities and show appreciation for the host country you’re travelling in by practising ethical travel:
1. Travel off-peak when possible: The place wouldn’t be overcrowded, the prices would be cheaper and locals are supported financially throughout the year.
2. Shop from small businesses: Limit your spending from big chains and shop through small businesses to support the local community.
3. Explore the less popular spots: This will generate economic growth equally in the country, creating more job opportunities all over the country, and preventing over-crowding in the more popular areas.
Conclusion
In conclusion, bleisure travel seems to be the choice of many corporate workers who work either hybrid or remotely. With its benefits and more workplaces offering the opportunity to travel the world and collaborate with international partners while working and having tome for leisure, this industry is expected to become popular, with more destinations catering for bleisure travel.
You can also read about:
Reference list:
Comments