2022 has ushered in a new era of travel, one that is increasingly hybridized due to the pandemic and international disruptions we have experienced over the past years. Bleisure—the combination of business and leisure experiences during trips—represents an exciting evolution from what was once viewed as obligatory work-related journeys. This reinvention brings with it fresh opportunities for people to experience their travels differently than ever before!
Business + Leisure: Bleisure is now widely accepted as an attractive option. Big businesses are taking advantage of combining work-related trips with leisure activities. It helps with unlocking new opportunities and experiences for their employees. Let’s explore what’s changed so far since the world first started talking about bleisure in 2020—from its definition to the best practices embraced by professional HR leaders and travel managers.
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Bleisure is a fast-growing travel concept that combines work and leisure. In today’s increasingly interconnected global economy, Bleisure offers industry professionals an exciting way to mix work with pleasure. It’s popular because it helps travellers maximise their time away from the office. What’s better than your employee making meaningful memories with family and friends while still achieving their business objectives? Bleisure makes it easier than ever to take advantage of both experiences – without sacrificing any of the employee’s hard-earned PTO.
Bleisure provides ways for employees to strengthen their connections with customers. It helps people network with other professionals in unfamiliar locations, build relationships with their coworkers and colleagues, engage in self-care activities during the trip, explore cities, and more – all while not having to worry about sacrificing any time from their own personal lives. The best part? Bleisure offers these perks while saving big companies some money, and ensuring productivity remains high. HR leaders can take advantage of Bleisure trips for increased team building and collaboration efforts, while business owners can reap the benefits of improved employee satisfaction without additional cost. It’s an obvious win-win!
Bleisure travel is being reshaped as we speak, following a turbulent year of restrictions and uncertainty. Hotels are adapting, extended stays are a trend now expectations from decent accommodations include a reliable internet connection, a convenient location, increased flexibility regarding rates, and an array of welfare amenities such as a gym, a jogging track or garden, a cafe/workspace, a pool, and a playing area for the kids.
As corporate travel resumes in the wake of a global pandemic, and travel managers are eager to provide meaningful experiences, we’re seeing Bleisure travel begin to pick up steam again. As people now travel with fewer time constraints and increased safety measures in mind, the average corporate employee is dealing with a whole new ball game. These changes helped people mix leisure time into their trips, thus enhancing their own overall experience.
For travellers with kids, the Kinder Hotel was a concept coined specifically for families looking to spend their extended bleisure trips. Several nations have begun to play along, responding to this new wave of digital nomads with hospitable offerings such as easier access visa opportunities for longer visits. It is clear to see that bleisure in 2022 seems a lot different from what we started with, and it will continue to grow and adapt as the world keeps changing.
Activities like business and leisure travel, are attractive options for employees looking to travel. When considering any travel management services, you need to be sure that your business will definitely end up benefiting from them. It makes sense to consider the current geo-political climate of an area before deciding to send an employee there. You need a package that covers any scenario, like an extended stay.
From employees making the most of their time away on business trips to families who are looking to take advantage of long weekend getaways, bleisure packages are a great way to conserve your company’s budget and the employee’s time.
Incorporating bleisure into your travel programme is smart not just for the added value it provides but also in terms of safety — if any issues arise while on a trip, having the flexibility to stay longer or bring family members along can give you peace of mind. Ultimately, taking advantage of bleisure can help you design a bespoke travel policy that successfully meets the needs of both your employees and your organisation.
Not only does it add an element of relaxation for the traveller, but research has shown that Bleisure trips can help employees return with greater productivity and motivation due to their improved mental health from recharging from added leisure activities.
Business travellers often look for strategic locations for extended bleisure stays as it makes their life on the road more convenient and efficient. By staying in strategic areas like bustling cities, transportation hubs, or business districts, travellers can easily access what they need, such as public transportation, meeting venues, and top attractions.
Moreover, strategic locations make it simple to move around and reach appointments on time without worrying about navigating unfamiliar places. Good location planning can even save business travellers time while on the road. Strategic locations provide a distinct advantage when it comes to bleisure stays!
Business travellers understand that a clean and hygienic stay is crucial for extended stays, making it among the top priorities when selecting accommodation. Cleanliness gives travellers a sense of trust, knowing that their health, comfort, and well-being are top of mind for the property.
A clean and fresh extended stay also grants access to more amenities than regular hotels – such as home-cooked meals and laundry facilities – ensuring a safe environment amidst the business trip. This added peace of mind allows travellers to enjoy their bleisure experiences to the fullest, whether with family or alone. Business travellers look towards hotels, serviced apartments and other accommodations that understand the need to provide a thoroughly clean experience.
Business travellers, especially in the growing frequency of extended or Bleisure trips, have become increasingly aware of their health and wellness needs. Travelling can be physically and emotionally taxing, so they are looking for ways to maintain their equilibrium while away from home. That’s why wellness amenities have become a major factor in business travel accommodations.
From spa facilities and in-room yoga sessions to exercise rooms with state-of-the-art equipment and healthy food options, visitors seek establishments that offer convenience and a refreshing retreat from the hustle and bustle of the modern lifestyle. By proactively providing amenities to enhance the health of their guests, businesses can gain loyal customers who appreciate how mindful their accommodations are.
Business travellers choosing extended Bleisure stays are looking for comfort and convenience, which is why on-property service quality has become increasingly important. On-property services create an extra layer of convenience for business travellers by allowing them to enjoy their long stay without ever having to leave the property.
From amenities such as high-speed internet and dedicated business zones to tailored concierge services that provide a selection of restaurant reservations, tickets or even grocery deliveries, on-property service quality can make all the difference in creating a positive and memorable experience. By offering easy access to everything they need while they’re away from home, modern business travellers have come to expect this sort of service quality at premium on-property locations.
Business travellers are continually on the move, and extended stays can provide much-needed rest. Knowing that safety is a top priority during prolonged stays ensures that business travellers have peace of mind in whatever city they visit. They look for safe locations to keep themselves and their belongings protected during their stay, in addition to safety precautions within the building itself.
Business travellers understand that the more time spent away from home, the more important it is to have a secure space to conduct business and enjoy leisurely activities. From airport transportation options to hotel selection, business travellers need assurance that precautions are taken for their safety wherever they book their stay.
To maximise safety, many business travellers also look for hotels with 24/7 security personnel and good security access practices, such as strict key card access policies to ensure that only authorised people enter the premises. Security and safety are paramount when it comes to extended Bleisure stays; therefore, enterprise travel departments go to extra lengths to provide safe accommodations without compromising on quality or cost efficiency.
Business travellers heading out on extended Bleisure stays are looking for maximum value. Negotiated rates, in the form of discounts or other incentives, can often give them just that. From lower booking fees to complimentary extras and upgrades, savvy travellers know that it pays to shop around and seek out the best deals to make the most of their time away. When business traveller finds an accommodation option that offers maximum value overall, they will usually be happy to commit to an extended stay. After all, who doesn’t love a great deal?
Bleisure travel is becoming an increasingly popular trend, and if your travel programme doesn’t consider it, you could miss out on a lot of business. But don’t worry – we can help. Sign up for our free trial or book a demo of TruTrip today, and let us show you how to create a travel programme that caters to the modern traveller.
With our award-winning service, your employees can book amazing bleisure trips quickly and easily, without spending hours online or on the phone. So what are you waiting for? Start exploring the world with TruTrip today!
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