Bleisure Travel is a popular trend among executives who make the most of their business trips by incorporating leisure time or vacation days. «Bleisure» is a combination of the «B» in business and «leisure.»
The «Bleisure» travel trend doesn’t have a single creator. Its origins trace back to the 1970s when business travelers began extending their trips to include leisure activities. However, it wasn’t until the 2000s that the term «Bleisure» was coined and started gaining popularity.
The people who are most interested in the bleisure travel lifestyle are typically:
- Young, working professionals: Bleisure travelers are often young professionals looking for ways to save money and have more fun on their travels. They are also more likely to be flexible with their work schedules, making extending their business trips easier.
- People who enjoy new experiences: Bleisure travelers typically enjoy exploring new places and experiencing different cultures. They are also likely to be interested in learning about the history and traditions of the places they visit.
- People who value work-life balance: Bleisure travel can be a great way to improve work-life balance. By extending your business trip, you can have more time to relax and de-stress after a busy work week.
According to a survey by the Global Business Travel Association, millennials are the most interested in bleisure travel, with 86% of respondents saying they are likely to extend a business trip for leisure purposes. Gen Xers and baby boomers are also interested in bleisure travel, but to a lesser extent, with 76% and 73% of respondents saying they are likely to extend a business trip for leisure purposes, respectively.
Bleisure travel is also more popular among senior leadership teams and executives, who are twice as likely to extend their business trips for leisure compared to non-management employees.
Remote Work as a Driver of Bleisure
Remote work has significantly contributed to the Bleisure Travel trend in various ways, and it also offers advantages and benefits for those who adopt this lifestyle, such as:
- Flexibility: Remote work allows travelers to choose where and when to work, providing them with the flexibility to extend their business trips to include leisure activities.
- Work-Life Balance: Remote work can help travelers achieve a better balance between work and personal life by blending work responsibilities with rewarding travel experiences.
- Stress Reduction: The flexibility of remote work can reduce the stress associated with traditional business travel, enabling travelers to enjoy their leisure time more.
- Increased Productivity: Some studies suggest that employees working remotely may be more productive, allowing them to complete work tasks more efficiently during their travels.
- Technologies: Online communication and collaboration tools make it easy for remote workers to stay connected and productive while on the go.
- Enhanced Traveler Satisfaction: It enables travelers to combine work responsibilities with rewarding travel experiences.
- Increased Employee Engagement: It can boost employee engagement by providing a more rewarding travel experience.»
Challenges for Incorporating Bleisure into Your Business Trip:
Every business traveler who wishes to apply our tips for combining work with pleasure should:»
- Establish clear boundaries between work and leisure time: Travelers need to set clear boundaries between work and leisure time to avoid burnout.
- Time management: Travelers should be proficient time managers to ensure they complete their work tasks while enjoying their leisure time.
- Effective communication: Travelers must communicate effectively with colleagues and clients while on the go
Overall, the rise of remote work has played a pivotal role in the surge of Bleisure Travel. It grants travelers the flexibility and freedom to seamlessly integrate work commitments with enriching travel experiences
Driving Forces Behind the Evolution of Bleisure:
The travel industry is developing enticing offerings that allow ‘Bleisure’ travelers to enjoy enhanced experiences. The factors driving this trend are:
- Hotels: They offer services and amenities catering to Bleisure travelers, such as workspaces and access to leisure activities.
- Travel agencies: They have adapted their offerings to include Bleisure packages that combine business and leisure activities.
- Online platforms: They enable travelers to plan and book their Bleisure trips in a personalized manner.
- Rise of low-cost airlines: It has facilitated the extension of business trips at a lower additional cost.
- Shift in work culture: Companies have begun to value the balance between work and personal life, fostering flexibility in business travel.
Benefits Business and Leisure Travel
There are many benefits to bleisure travel, including:
- Save money on travel: By extending your business trip, you can save money on flights, hotels, and other travel expenses.
- Get more out of your trip: Bleisure travel allows you to explore your destination and experience its culture and attractions.
- Improve work-life balance: Bleisure travel can help you to relax and de-stress after a busy work week.
Bleisure travel lifestyle
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Bleisure travelers are typically young, working professionals who are looking for ways to save money and have more fun on their travels. They are also more likely to be flexible with their work schedules, which makes it easier for them to extend their business trips.
How to get started with bleisure travel
If you are interested in trying bleisure travel, there are a few things you can do to get started:
- Talk to your employer: Some employers offer policies that allow employees to extend their business trips for leisure purposes.
- Plan your trip: Research your destination and book your flights and accommodations early to get the best deals.
- Be flexible with your schedule: Be prepared to change your plans if necessary to accommodate your leisure activities.
Bleisure travel is a great way to save money, get more out of your trip, and improve your work-life balance. If you are looking for a new way to travel, bleisure is worth considering.
Overall, bleisure travel is a growing trend that is appealing to people of all ages and demographics.
Concluding
It’s challenging to pinpoint the exact number of digital nomads who have embraced this lifestyle after experiencing Bleisure Travel on a business trip. However, this trend has likely played a significant role in influencing some individuals to adopt this way of life.
In general, Bleisure Travel can be a key factor in the decision-making process for some individuals to become digital nomads. By exposing business travelers to the flexibility of remote work and the possibility of combining work with leisure, Bleisure Travel may spark an interest in a nomadic lifestyle.
It’s important to note that Bleisure Travel is not the sole reason people become digital nomads. Other factors, such as a desire to break free from the 9-5 routine, seek a more adventurous life, or learn new languages, can also influence this decision.
Nevertheless, Bleisure Travel can serve as a gateway to the digital nomad lifestyle for many individuals. By experiencing the benefits of working and traveling simultaneously, business travelers may discover that digital nomadism is a viable option for them.
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