The rise of bleisure travel: Combining business with pleasure

According to a survey by Uber and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), 90% of corporate travel managers across the US and Canada say employees are just as interested, if not more, in bleisure travel compared to pre-pandemic times. And it’s not hard to see why—81% of business travelers are already embracing some form of bleisure. Whether it’s adding leisure activities to their itinerary or extending their stay for a little extra downtime, people are making the most of their work trips (National Car).

Even major airlines are noticing the trend—American Airlines revealed that nearly half of its $13.46 billion revenue in 2022 came from bleisure itineraries (AFA). That’s a lot of business trips turning into mini vacations.

The bleisure travel trend

The pandemic changed how we think about work and travel. Working remotely blurred the lines between work and home—no more commutes, just hopping on a Zoom call from your kitchen, maybe with kids or pets nearby. Now, that same thinking has spilled over into travel.  

Imagine flying to a work conference in San Diego—why not stick around a couple of days, hit the beach, and maybe even bring along a friend or family member? You wouldn’t be the only one—35% of bleisure travelers bring someone along for the fun (Stratos).

In 2022, bleisure travel made up over a third of all trips (33.8%), with travelers staying about 4.5 extra days to enjoy their destination. And although men are more likely to travel for business, women are leading the charge when it comes to adding leisure to their trips (GBTA).

After the pandemic, companies have ramped up face-to-face meetings, gathering remote workers for in-person interactions. Employees, on the other hand, are rethinking their priorities and are more likely to extend work trips to recharge. Bleisure is the perfect way to combine a busy work life with some well-deserved downtime. In fact, frequent travelers—those who take one or two business trips a month—make up about 32% of bleisure trips (Expedia).  

Bleisure trips come in many forms, but most commonly they start with a work-related event—67% of these trips begin with a conference, while others might kick off with external meetings (46%) or sales opportunities (42%) (Stratos). Some people are even extending their stays for internal appointments (30%), with a few others (5%) adding leisure to trips for "other" reasons.

In 2022, the GBTA found that bleisure travel accounted for over a third of all trips, with travelers staying an extra 4.5 days, on average, to enjoy their destination. Although men are more likely to travel for business, women are adding leisure to their trips at a higher rate.

An article by CVENT gave further insight into who is behind the bleisure trend: younger generations. And a survey from GBTA Foundation’s recent study in partnership with Hilton, “Extending Business Travel into Leisure Time,” found that 7 out of 10 business travelers ages 25–30 want to extend work trips for mini vacations.

How bleisure trips benefit businesses

It’s not just the travelers who benefit—companies do, too. Employees who can extend work trips for personal time are more likely to volunteer for business travel—79% say they’d jump at the chance (National Car). Plus, they come back refreshed and ready to dive back into work.  

A Hilton survey found that bleisure travelers feel more rejuvenated compared to those who stick strictly to business—especially Millennials, 55% of whom say they feel more refreshed, compared to 48% of Gen Xers and 42% of Baby Boomers (National Car).

With over 405 million long-haul business trips taken each year by U.S. employees, the fact that vacation time is being added to 60% of these trips shows just how widespread bleisure has become (Stratos). China leads the trend, but the U.S. isn’t far behind (Travel & Leisure).

For companies, embracing bleisure can mean happier, more productive employees who come back from work trips feeling energized. Plus, it can help build a positive company culture—who wouldn’t want to work for a company that encourages a bit of fun?

Bleisure hotel options

Not all hotels are created equal when it comes to bleisure travel. According to the GBTA’s article 3 Key Factors in Bleisure Travel Hotel Choice, three key factors influence whether bleisure travelers stay at the same hotel for both business and leisure:  

Price plays a major role, with 93% of travelers saying they are more likely to extend their trip if offered a discounted weekend rate.  

• Price plays a major role, with 93% of travelers saying they are more likely to extend their trip if offered a discounted weekend rate.  
• Loyalty programs also impact decisions, as one-third of travelers stay at a hotel to earn or use points, while a quarter switch hotels for better rewards.  
• Amenities, such as room type and food options, are also significant, with 72% of travelers influenced by room quality and 71% by dining options.

By encouraging loyalty program enrollment and offering extended corporate rates, companies can guide employees to stay at preferred hotels. With 82% of business travelers staying at the same place for both parts of their trip (GBTA), bleisure travel can be a win-win for both parties.  

Conclusion

As bleisure continues to rise, companies that embrace this trend can reap the benefits of a more engaged and refreshed workforce. Not only does it create happier employees, but it also leads to greater productivity and long-term success. So next time you’re packing for a business trip, maybe throw in some sunscreen or hiking boots—you just might have time for a little R&R while you’re at it.

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