Bleisure travel: What is it and why does it matter?

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Imagine you’re heading to London for business travel. In the past, you'd hop on a plane, attend meetings, and head back home. 

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But what if instead, you stay a few extra days, visit Big Ben, dine at pubs, and stroll the Thames? Your trip becomes more enjoyable and fulfilling. You get to experience a new place and recharge before returning to work.

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Remote schedules continue to blur lines between work and personal time, which is why bleisure travel--blending business trips and leisure travel--has gained popularity. Here, we explain what bleisure travel is, why it’s important, the benefits, and how to manage the travel expenses.

What is bleisure travel?

Bleisure travel combines business and leisure, allowing you to mix work obligations with personal enjoyment. Instead of rushing back home after business travel, you can extend your stay to explore the destination. This approach offers a balance between work commitments and enjoying some downtime.

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Companies increasingly recognize that happy employees are more productive. When employees add leisure days to business trips, it improves job satisfaction and overall well-being. 

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Plus, it often doesn't cost you much more, as the employee is already at the destination. Employees are still responsible for any extra days at the hotel, personal entertainment, and dining costs for leisure time. 

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For your team, bleisure travel means a better work-life balance. They take advantage of being in a new city or country without needing to take additional vacation days. And, it’s an efficient way to see the world while still  staying on task for work responsibilities. There may even be a chance for them to bring family or friends along, turning a solo business trip into a mini-vacation.

What are examples of bleisure travel?

Popular bleisure destinations vary widely, but cities with rich cultural experiences and vibrant local scenes top the list. Cities like Tokyo, Paris, and New York attract bleisure travelers with their mix of business opportunities and leisure activities. These destinations offer a range of experiences, from fine dining and shopping to historical tours and outdoor adventures.

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Some other examples of bleisure travel include:

• Exploring a new city: If you have a work meeting in New York, maybe your employee wants to stay an extra night to visit museums, shop, or see a show.
• Visits to friends or family: Bleisure travel gives you a chance to stick around for extra time to catch-up or do some sightseeing with loved ones at your destination.
• Outdoor excursions: If a conference or event is in a scenic locale, you might create outdoor itineraries with hiking or skiing that are beyond the work schedule.
• Relaxation: Or, it could simply be about taking extra time to avoid burnout by staying at a fancy hotel or enjoying the spa.

Why is bleisure travel popular?

Bleisure travel continues to gain popularity. According to recent studies, 60% of business travelers now incorporate leisure activities into their trips. 

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Increased remote work flexibility allows people to work from virtually anywhere, so you can extend their business trips without disrupting the work schedule. Bleisure travel offers a way to achieve work-life balance, with opportunities to relax and explore new destinations while on business trips. Work trips become more enjoyable and less stressful.
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Cost savings also play a significant role. It usually costs little to nothing extra to allow your team members to extend a stay since the primary travel expenses are already covered. And employees save on personal travel costs by combining business and leisure trips. It’s a win-win.

How has bleisure travel changed the hospitality industry?

The American travel industry, in particular, has been adapting accommodations and amenities to cater to bleisure travelers. Hotels offer extended stay options, flexible check-in and check-out times, and co-working spaces for a professional environment for work. And. of course, they still provide leisure components like spas, gyms, and guided tours for relaxation and exploration opportunities.

‍Bleisure-friendly accommodations that might be appealing to longer-term or frequent travelers also include options like serviced apartments and boutique hotels that provide a home-like atmosphere. These accommodations can come with fully equipped kitchens and laundry facilities so longer stays feel more comfortable and convenient.

Why is bleisure travel important?

The rise of bleisure travel reflects a broader trend towards integrating work and personal life. As remote work and digital nomads become more common, and the desire for work-life balance grows, bleisure travel offers a practical solution. It allows you to make the most of your corporate travel, combining productivity with relaxation and exploration.

Benefits of bleisure travel for employers

Bleisure travel offers several advantages for employers:

• Boosts employee satisfaction and morale. When your team has the chance to combine work with leisure, they return more refreshed and motivated. This increased job satisfaction can lead to higher productivity and better performance.
• Serves as a cost-effective perk. Allowing employees to extend their business trips for leisure and vacation time doesn't usually add significant costs for the company. The main expenses, like flights and accommodations, are already covered for the business portion of the trip, making it an affordable benefit.
• Improves employee retention. Offering flexible travel options can make your company more attractive to top talent. Employees appreciate the opportunity to explore new places and enjoy some downtime, which can make them more likely to stay with your company long-term.
• Contributes to a positive company reputation. Companies that support work-life balance and employee well-being are often viewed more favorably. This positive image can help attract new clients and partners, as well as top-tier talent.

Benefits of bleisure travel for employees

Bleisure travel provides numerous benefits for employees as well:

• Improved work-life balance. Combining business and leisure allows employees to make the most of their time away from home. They can fulfill their work responsibilities while also enjoying some personal time to relax and explore.
• Opportunity to experience new cultures and destinations. Business trips often involve destinations employees might not visit otherwise, allowing them to immerse themselves in the local culture, try new foods, and see the sights.
• Reduced stress. Balancing work with leisure activities helps people recharge and avoid burnout. Employees return to work feeling more refreshed and ready to tackle tasks.
• Strengthened personal relationships. Bringing family or friends along on a business trip allows for some quality time together. This can be especially valuable if the business travel schedule keeps the employee away from home frequently.
• Cost-effective. Combining business and leisure trips means the employee can take advantage of company-covered expenses for the business portion of the trip. This can make personal travel more affordable, allowing workers to enjoy more experiences without breaking the bank.

Overcoming the challenges of bleisure travel 

Although bleisure travel offers many benefits, it also comes with some potential drawbacks. One common issue is the blurring of work and personal time. If your team is mixing business with leisure and not fully disconnecting from work, this can lead to potential burnout, which leads to a lack of productivity.

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Another drawback is the potential for increased costs. While combining business and leisure can save money for both the company and the employee, there can also be unexpected costs. For example, extended stay or upgraded accommodations might not always be covered by the company, and could cause a conflict if your team member tries to claim them on a travel expense report. On the other hand, if the company covers the extra costs, it puts a strain on the firm’s finances.
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Lastly, there's the risk of miscommunication. Clear communication is vital to ensure that both the employee and the employer understand the expectations and boundaries of bleisure travel. Misunderstandings can lead to conflicts or dissatisfaction on both sides. 

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Travel policies can also complicate bleisure trips. Companies often have strict guidelines about what expenses they will cover. Navigating these policies can be confusing and time-consuming. You might find yourself in a situation where you're unsure which costs are reimbursable and which are not.

Maximize your bleisure travel reporting with Ramp

To address these challenges, you need a reliable solution that simplifies the process and ensures compliance with company expense policies. This is where a comprehensive expense management tool can help. 

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Ramp offers features that streamline expense tracking, automate reimbursements, and provide real-time insights into your spending. This helps you manage bleisure trips more effectively, avoid unexpected costs, and keep your team happy.
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Our tools allow you to provide clear and accessible guidelines on expenses that are covered, so your team can submit accurate expense reports. This reduces the risk of errors and ensures you get reimbursed for eligible costs.

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Bleisure travel offers a unique opportunity to blend work and leisure seamlessly. Ramp understands the importance of balancing productivity with relaxation. Our comprehensive spend management platform simplifies expense tracking, automates reimbursements, and ensures compliance with company policies, making corporate travel booking more efficient and enjoyable.