Bleisure: business travel becomes a hybrid experience
Bleisure”, a contraction of “business” and “leisure”, is revolutionizing business travel by integrating moments of leisure. It’s a fast-growing phenomenon, appealing to employees and companies alike.
A fast-growing trend
Leave for a meeting and extend your stay by a weekend? 89% of workers worldwide want to take advantage of their business trips to explore the destinations they visit, according to a study by theAmerican Hotel & Lodging Association. Once the preserve of top executives, this type of travel is becoming increasingly popular, particularly under the influence of the younger generation.
Bleisure meets a growing need to reconcile professional and personal life. A study byAMEX Global Business Travel reveals that 57% of companies have already implemented a policy enabling employees to extend their travel with a few days off.
A lever for well-being and productivity
The boundaries between work and relaxation are becoming increasingly blurred, and this benefits companies too. By promoting this approach, they offer their employees a better quality of life, a key factor in attracting new generations who are less inclined to sacrifice their personal balance for their careers.
As Okko General Manager Solenne Ojea-Devys explains, Thursday is becoming the new Friday. More and more employees are booking a weekend after their assignment, sometimes teleworking on site. Some are even joined by family and friends, transforming a business trip into a shared experience.
Safety, environment and regulatory framework
While Bleisure may be seductive, it also involves logistical and ethical challenges: management of professional and personal expenses, insurance cover, visas, security… Companies need to set clear rules to avoid abuse.
The environmental issue is also at the heart of the debate. In an era whencarbon footprints are under scrutiny, going abroad for a seminar without taking advantage of the location seems absurd. This approach is part of a more sustainable approach, reducing unnecessary travel.
A booming market
Bleisure is not just a passing trend. According to Allied Market Research, the market was worth $315 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $731 billion in 2032, with average annual growth of 8.9%.
This phenomenon is establishing itself as a new standard in business travel, combining motivation, performance and personal balance. A development that is redefining workers’ expectations and companies’ strategies in a changing professional world.
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