Bleisure Travel Trends: How Business and Leisure Are Merging

As the lines between business and leisure continue to blur, bleisure — the fusion of work trips and personal getaways — is no longer a niche trend in modern business travel. For companies looking to optimise business travel programmes, it’s important to understand the pivotal role bleisure plays in enhancing the employee experience.

In this blog, we’ll explore key bleisure travel trends, the advantages and challenges that come with bleisure travel, tips on picking quality accommodations, and how you can unlock seamless bleisure travel with tech-forward solutions.

The Rise of Bleisure Travel: Key Statistics & Market Growth

Bleisure travel represents a significant evolution in business travel. The key statistics and market data below underscore its growing presence and influence within the industry:

Bleisure Travel Adoption: Trends & Data

Bleisure travel continues to gain momentum on a global scale. In 2023, the Global Bleisure Travel Market was valued at $0.94 trillion, projected to reach a whopping $1.82 trillion by 2029. Driven by factors like appealing destinations and sightseeing opportunities, professionals are increasingly extending business trips to incorporate leisure time. 

American business travellers are at the forefront of bleisure growth, taking at least 405 million long-haul trips annually and adding leisure time to roughly 60% of these stays. Furthermore, the Global Rescue Summer 2024 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey indicates that 74% of professionals are adding personal days to their business trips, confirming the rising prevalence of bleisure travel.

Post-Pandemic Work Trends

The surge of remote work, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has significantly fueled the expansion of bleisure travel. Data from the GBTA's October 2022 Business Travel Recovery Poll shows that 88% of companies have embraced remote work models (68% hybrid, 20% fully remote). 

As businesses prioritise work-life balance, bleisure trends indicate that the demand for this type of travel will only continue to grow. A 2023 Banyan study revealed 76% of business travellers have participated in bleisure at least once in their career, with 61% of companies possessing a policy around this type of mixed-purpose travel.

Industries Driving Bleisure Travel

Several industries are dominating the bleisure travel scene. Technology, manufacturing, and finance are prime examples, with employees in these sectors often out of town for client meetings or conferences. The nature of these professions, frequently involving project-based work and travel, lends itself well to incorporating leisure time. The uptick in remote work professions across various sectors is also a significant driver. As more companies embrace remote work, employees gain the freedom to travel and work from different locations, further fueling the bleisure travel market.

Unpacking Bleisure Traveller Trends

Bleisure travel continues to reshape the corporate travel landscape. Understanding emerging bleisure trends empowers businesses to optimise employee travel programmes and enhance traveller satisfaction.

Longer Business Trips, Extra Leisure Time

Today’s employees are grasping at the opportunity to mix work and play, extending business getaways to do so. In hopes of maximising travel efficiency and exploring new destinations, travellers have begun adding personal days on top of their existing business itineraries. This has also helped improve employee engagement, a persistent challenge that drains an estimated $8.8 trillion from global productivity each year.

The Rise of Serviced Apartments & Hotel Alternatives

Traditional hotels are no longer the sole preference for business travellers. Serviced apartments and other alternative accommodations are gaining traction, offering greater flexibility, space, and amenities. These options provide a home-away-from-home experience, particularly appealing to those on extended stays. Features like kitchen facilities and laundry services cater to both business and leisure needs. This trend reflects a desire for greater flexibility and independence during travel.

Integration of Bleisure-Friendly Travel Policies

Forward-thinking organisations have begun to tweak their travel programmes to fit the needs of modern employees, making way for more bleisure-friendly policies. These policies clarify guidelines around extending trips for personal reasons, outlining procedures for booking, expense management, and liability. By formalising these plans, businesses demonstrate a commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance, allowing them to attract and retain top talent.

Popular Destinations for Bleisure Travellers

Top sought-after destinations for bleisure travel include the likes of New York City, San Francisco, and Chicago for US-based employees looking to combine business with vibrant city life. In the UK, London is a go-to hotspot, with the city seeing an 18% increase in hotel occupancies due to bleisure travel. Destinations that offer both thriving business sectors and engaging cultural experiences are proving particularly attractive to bleisure travellers.

The Business Case for Bleisure Travel: Why Companies Are Adopting It

As the appeal of bleisure grows, companies are recognising the tangible benefits that come with it. This strategic approach to corporate travel culture not only boosts employee morale, but also contributes to maintaining a healthy bottom line. Here’s a closer look at the key advantages that bleisure travel brings to the table:

Employee Benefits

Employees stand to gain the most with the addition of bleisure travel. 

• Promotes mental well-being: It prioritises mental well-being by providing opportunities for relaxation and rejuvenation, reducing stress associated with frequent business trips. 
• Enhances productivity: The added leisure time can strengthen productivity upon return to work, as employees feel more refreshed and engaged.
• Increases job satisfaction: Employees appreciate the company's investment in their well-being and the flexibility bleisure travel provides.

Employer Advantages

Implementing bleisure travel programmes offers substantial benefits for employers as well. 

• Drives employee retention: Demonstrates a commitment to work-life balance and creates a more attractive company culture. 
• Cost-savings on corporate travel: By consolidating travel arrangements and potentially negotiating better rates for extended stays, companies can optimise their travel budgets.
• Greater overall performance: A happier, more engaged workforce translates to increased productivity and improved business outcomes.

Bleisure-Friendly Travel Policies in Action

Numerous corporations are already embracing bleisure travel and implementing supportive policies. Performance-based travel policies, as AMEX notes, are one example of how corporations are introducing mixed-purpose trips. These policies incentives frequent travellers with extra income, leading to happier and more productive teams. Other initiatives include leisure stipends for extended trips and clear guidelines for booking personal travel arrangements alongside business itineraries. 

How Travellers Are Choosing Accommodations for Bleisure Trips

Bleisure travellers have distinct accommodation preferences, seeking a balance between business functionality and leisure comfort. This shift in traveller needs has largely impacted the way they select accommodation.

Serviced Apartments: The Leading Choice for Bleisure Travel

Serviced apartments are rapidly becoming the preferred accommodation for bleisure travel. Their blend of hotel-like services and residential-style amenities caters perfectly to the needs of travellers combining work and leisure. Employees embarking on longer stays are especially drawn to the added space, privacy, and extensive amenities (e.g., fitness centers and swimming pools), which offer a cozy and convenient experience. 

Business-Friendly & Leisure-Comfortable Stays

The ideal bleisure accommodation must possess the following key features: dedicated workspaces, reliable high-speed internet, and easy access to business districts. Beyond this, bleisure travellers value amenities that enhance their leisure time, such as a well-equipped gym or nearby local attractions. They lean towards comfortable yet productive environments, with added opportunities for relaxation and recreational activities.

Factors Influencing Accommodation Choices

Here's a brief breakdown of the notable factors bleisure travellers consider when choosing accommodations:

• Must-have amenities: Today’s travellers are placing high importance on features like stable Wi-Fi and complimentary facilities.
• Connected location: Where you stay is equally as important, with travellers seeking smooth access to both business districts and leisure attractions. 
• Work-friendly environment: Adequate workspaces are essential, ensuring productivity during the business portion of the trip.
• Reasonable pricing: Value for money also plays a role, as travellers seek accommodations that offer a balance of quality, amenities, and price.

Bleisure Travel Challenges and How to Overcome Them

While bleisure travel offers several benefits, it also presents certain challenges. Addressing these hiccups proactively ensures an effortless and successful experience for both travellers and companies.

Handling Visa and Compliance Issues

Extended bleisure trips often involve complex visa requirements. To combat this, companies must ensure employees have the appropriate visas for their extended duration in a foreign country. Whether you’re enlisting in-house expertise or partnering with travel management agencies,  securing the correct visas is vital to mitigate potential legal and compliance risks.

Managing Travel Expenses

Distinguishing between business and leisure expenses requires clear guidelines. Companies should establish transparent policies outlining which expenses are covered by the company and which fall under the employee's responsibility. On the traveller’s end, it’s best to review company policies on travel insurance and the use of corporate credit cards for business travel. To avoid confusion and encourage responsible spending, pre-trip communication is crucial.

Finding Top Tier Accommodations

Sourcing suitable accommodations in unfamiliar locations can be difficult. Travel managers should prioritise vetted and trusted accommodation providers. Corporate accommodation platforms like AltoVita can help you source quality options for your employees. Take into account factors like safety, location, amenities, and traveller reviews for comfortable and productive stays. 

Seamless Bleisure Travel with AltoVita

What if you could simplify bleisure travel management? With AltoVita, businesses can leverage a user-friendly, tech-driven platform to book extended stays. Our focus on quality, flexibility, and traveller well-being ensures productive and enjoyable trips — whether you’re travelling for business, pleasure, or a combination of both.

Bleisure Travel Planning: How AltoVita Streamlines Your Search

AltoVita streamlines bleisure travel planning with advanced search capabilities. Easily locate, compare, and book properties in popular bleisure destinations using filters like amenities, location, and budget to narrow down your search. We provide a curated flow, with an expert customer success team tailoring housing options to your employees’ needs, coupled with Breezeway integration to ensure every place undergoes a thorough security check. Real-time reporting on costs, trends, and reservations also empowers businesses to optimise accommodation programmes and drive cost savings.

Benefits for Corporate Travel Managers & Business Travellers

AltoVita makes bleisure travel planning a breeze for both corporate travel managers and business travellers. Travel managers are able to find and secure properties from a centralised platform — all of which have been vetted through our 4-tier quality control system, ensuring traveller safety and satisfaction. Breezeway integration further enhances security, while International SOS integration provides immediate support in emergencies.

Our escalation dashboard also facilitates quick resolution of any property issues, with 24/7 global guest support for round-the-clock assistance. Ultimately, business travellers can enjoy the home-like comfort of serviced apartments, with the added assurance of comprehensive safety and support from AltoVita.

Access Quality Accommodations in Top Bleisure Destinations

By partnering with AltoVita, you gain access to a vast network of business accommodations in top bleisure destinations across the US and UK. Unlock a carefully curated selection of vetted accommodation options, which allow companies to secure the best properties that meet unique business needs.Interested in elevating your bleisure travel programme?

Discover business travel accommodations with AltoVita’s robust platform, designed to help you find high-quality housing options with ease.