The Rise of Bleisure Travel: Trends and Statistics in 2024
The Rise of Bleisure Travel: Trends and Statistics in 2024
You have just landed in a foreign city to attend business meetings and conferences that will expand new growth opportunities for your company. But you are so mesmerized by the beauty of the place that you decide to extend your stay for a couple of days to explore the culture, dine at local eateries, and maybe even relax at a nearby pristine beach.
This combination of business and leisure travel, known as “bleisure,” is a thriving trend that is redesigning the corporate travel industry. According to Allied Market Research, the global bleisure market is expected to reach $731.4 billion by 2032 (with an annual growth rate of 8.9%).
So, what is this bleisure travel trend in 2024? Why are companies prioritizing this trend and adjusting their travel policies? Why is this trend gaining popularity among business travelers?
Well, our blog has answers to all these questions. Just keep reading; you will get plenty of insights for bleisure travel.
Understanding bleisure travel
Bleisure is the new norm in the corporate travel industry. It is the fusion of business and leisure travel, where corporate travelers extend their work trips and spend downtime for leisure purposes. Though this trend has been dominating over the past few years, 2024 marks a significant shift as more organizations and employees understand its benefits for their work culture. According to statistics, 55% of corporate employees believe that leisure helps them maintain a healthy work-life balance.
The pandemic’s lasting Impact
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the definition of work and travel. Employees opt for remote work and travel restrictions were imposed throughout the world.
However, once the pandemic ended and travel restrictions were eased, people became more eager to explore the world again. The pandemic made people realize the importance of work-life balance and the potential to work from anywhere. As a result, corporate employees now combine their work responsibilities with opportunities to relax and explore new destinations.
Flexibility in work arrangements
In this tech-driven era, employers offer remote and hybrid work models, which gives employees more flexibility in their schedules.
Companies motivate employees to work from various locations by adopting flexible work arrangements. This flexibility makes it easier for corporate travelers to extend their business trips for leisure without taking any additional time off.
Employer support and benefits
Bleisure travel is not only beneficial for employees but also it offers plenty of advantages for companies. Companies now have a clear idea about the benefits of bleisure travel and are tweaking their corporate travel policies according to it.
By welcoming this new trend, organizations can strengthen employee satisfaction, efficiency, and overall well-being. Bleisure is an excellent tool for talent recruitment and employee retention. According to a study report, 59% of Gen Z and 65% of millennials prefer to work for companies that provide blended travel opportunities.
Many organizations are also hiring the best corporate travel agency to arrange and take care of bleisure travel for their employees without hampering productivity.
Economic and cost benefits
Bleisure travel is affordable for both employers and employees. Employers can save enormous amounts on their corporate travel budget when they combine business and leisure trips, as it lessens the need for separate leisure travel expenses. 82% of bleisure travelers prefer to stay at the same hotel for their extended trips, allowing companies to get the best negotiated rates from hotels.
Employees, on the other hand, can save on personal travel expenses by using company-covered travel expenses for the business portion of their trip.
Recommended blog: How to Stay Productive While Travelling for Business
The role of technology
Technology is one of the influential factors in the field of corporate travel.
Technological advancements have not only made remote travel accessible for all but also helped business travelers to stay connected while traveling. High-speed internet, collaborative online tools, and mobile apps allow corporate travelers to remain productive from virtually anywhere.
This unified connectivity ensures that work responsibilities are met without conceding the leisure aspect of the trip.
Travel industry adaptation
As bleisure is the new buzzing word, the travel industry has quickly adapted this new norm to cater to the interests of leisure travellers.
Many hotels, airlines, and rental services offer specially designed rates to companies, blending business and leisure travel. From extended stay discounts to curated local experiences, the travel industry is welcoming this trend to provide an organized and rewarding experience for bleisure travelers.
Popular bleisure destinations in Canada
Certain destinations in Canada will be more popular among bleisure travellers in 2024 due to their business hubs combined with leisure offerings.
Cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Quebec City, Alberta, etc. are prime choices for blesiure. These cities not only host plenty of business conferences and corporate events but also offer excellent cultural experiences, world-class cuisine, and vibrant nightlife.
Sustainable bleisure travel
Sustainability is getting a lot of attention from all travel sectors in 2024, and bleisure travel is no exception.
Travelers are choosing eco-friendly hotel options and airlines that adopt sustainable practices. Bleisure travelers are more likely to prefer properties that focus on sustainability approaches, such as eco-certified accommodations, carbon offset programs, and sustainable tourism initiatives.
Challenges and considerations
Bleisure offers plenty of benefits, but it also comes with disadvantages that businesses should consider. Maintaining the balance between work and leisure can be challenging, and burnout is risky if not managed properly.
Travelers should set clear boundaries to ensure that work does not outshine their leisure time. Moreover, not all employers are in support of bleisure travel, and employees should be careful about their companies’ travel policies and expectations.
Tips for successful bleisure travel
To make your blesiure trip productive and enjoyable, consider the following tips.
- Plan ahead: Plan your work responsibilities and leisure activities in advance to ensure a hassle-free transition between the two.
- Communicate with your employer: Clear communication between you and your company ensures that bleisure travel is planned as per the company policies.
- Set boundaries: Allocate specific times for work and leisure to maintain a healthy balance.
- Leverage technology: Use online tools and apps to stay connected and efficient while traveling.
- Explore local culture: Bleisure gives you opportunities to immerse yourself in the local culture and experiences. So, take full advantage of it.
The future of bleisure travel
As we move each day with new technological innovations and advancements, bleisure travel will certainly inscribe its strong position into corporate travel policies. In future, more companies will appreciate the value of supporting work-life balance and offering flexibility to their employees. Organizations may get support from the best travel agency in Toronto to meet the needs of bleisure travelers and provide customized services and more sustainable options.
Conclusion
The rise of bleisure travel in 2024 clearly portrays a shift towards flexible work arrangements and a greater emphasis on work-life balance. Bleisure travel is becoming an integral part of business travel landscape.
By accepting and adapting this trend, both employers and employees can enjoy the multifarious benefits of a harmonious blend of work and leisure.
As an eminent bleisure travel Toronto, YYZ Travel Corporate has the perfect solutions both for corporate and leisure travel. Our professional travel advisors understand your business objectives and will design the best travel solutions that compliment your business and vacation needs.
We also offer our clients comprehensive business travel support (from ticket booking to arranging rental services) so they can get the best from their corporate trips.
Faqs
How can companies support bleisure travel?
Every organization can support bleisure travel by embracing their employees with flexible travel policies, encouraging work-life balance, and providing resources for their trips. Bleisure is an alluring travel perk that helps companies retain and recruit the best resources.
When is the word “Bleisure” used?
Bleisure’ was first introduced in 2009 by The Future Laboratory in their biannual Trend Briefing, thanks to the contributions of writer Jacob Strand and journalist Miriam Rayman.