The world of travel is evolving, and so are our priorities when we hit the road. Once upon a time, business and leisure travel were two separate things. But nowadays, “bleisure”, which encompasses both business + leisure; might sound like just another buzzword, but the benefits go beyond just a clever portmanteau. We’ve unpacked why bleisure travel is on the rise, and how it can promote mental wellness in the workplace.
What is Bleisure?
Bleisure travel, as the name suggests, is the combination of business and leisure travel. Instead of simply flying in and out for a meeting or conference, bleisure travellers take a few extra days to explore their destination, experience the culture, relax, or spend time with family or friends.
This trend is on the rise globally, and it’s easy to see why. Leisure and business travel are currently experiencing simultaneous growth, with both sectors expanding. In the year-over-year comparison from 2022 to 2023, there has been a significant 42% increase in both leisure and business travel. Particularly, during the latter half of 2022 and early 2023, corporate flight bookings caught up with leisure travel in regions where the return to office culture was robust. An intriguing development is observed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where leisure travel bookings from January to March 2023 have surged by an impressive 49.5% compared to the same period in the previous year.
Work Life Balance
More and more people are seeing the value in blurring the lines between work and play. Especially in South Africa, where we work some of the longest hours in the world, bleisure travel is becoming a more popular way to take much-needed breaks from the daily grind. By combining work and leisure trips, not only do employees get the chance to see new parts of the world and have fun experiences, but it also makes it easier to justify taking time off work. They can tick off some work assignments while away, and then switch off for some well-deserved downtime.
Avoiding Burnout
One of the biggest benefits of bleisure travel is that it helps to reduce employee burnout. According to the World Health Organization, burnout is a syndrome caused by chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. The symptoms of burnout include exhaustion, cynicism and reduced professional efficacy. But by incorporating leisure activities into a business trip, employees can recharge their mental batteries and reduce their stress levels. Whether it’s hiking a scenic trail or soaking up some sun at the beach, adding leisure activities to the itinerary can help employees return to work feeling refreshed and reinvigorated.
The Benefits of Travel
While we often think of travel as a luxury, it’s important to remember that it can have a real impact on our mental wellbeing. Studies have shown that travel can reduce stress, boost creativity and increase happiness levels. And when it comes to bleisure travel, the benefits of leisure activities are amplified by the fact that they’re taking place in a new and stimulating environment. Trying new foods, meeting new people and experiencing different cultures can all help to boost mood and reduce anxiety.
A recent survey by Skift found that 60% of business travellers would consider extending their trips for leisure purposes, provided their employers offered support and flexibility. This shift towards a more holistic approach to travel is likely to benefit both employees and businesses in coming years.
Additionally, the discerning preferences of tourists continue to lean towards experiences rather than material possessions. There is a prevailing trend where travellers worldwide prioritize enriching experiences over acquiring material things. This shift may be partly influenced by the impact of social media and entertainment, as travelers now seek lesser-known destinations in their quest for cultural immersion.
Consequently, global expenditure on experiences has seen a remarkable rise of 65%, while spending on material possessions has increased by a modest 12% in comparison to the figures from 2019. Within the MENA region, certain countries, like Morocco, have experienced a staggering surge of 117.5% in experience-oriented spending, indicating a strong demand for immersive and memorable travel experiences.
Best for Business
It’s also worth noting that bleisure travel is not just good for employees, but for businesses too. Happier, more motivated employees are likely to be more productive, with lower rates of absenteeism and less turnover. With bleisure trips, businesses can show their employees that they value their personal time and encourage work-life balance. And in a competitive job market, this can be a valuable way to attract and retain top talent.
In conclusion, bleisure travel is not just a trend, but a sign of a larger shift towards a more balanced approach to work and play. By offering their employees the opportunity to mix business with pleasure, companies can reduce employee burnout, improve mental wellness, and foster a more positive work-life balance.
South African travellers can take advantage of this trend by planning ahead, choosing activities that align with their interests, and communicating their needs to their employers. As the world of work continues to evolve, companies that embrace the principles of bleisure travel are likely to see the benefits both in terms of employee satisfaction and business success.
If you’re interested in a bleisure trip, please submit a quick enquiry and one of our dedicated Travel Consultants will be in touch with you.
Thompsons Travel is your one-stop-shop corporate travel agent, making your company travel program a secure and seamless contributor to meeting your overall business goals. Chat to us about tailoring a business travel management program to suit your needs.
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