As the name suggests, bleisure travel is just a combination of leisure and business travel. Business trips or group business travel that is extended at the beginning or end of a visit, as well as business trips with friends and family joining along, are the two primary categories of bleisure travel.
Over time, the style has grown in popularity, particularly among younger generations. In 2017, 37% of business travelers residing in North America extended their work trip for leisure, up from 36% the previous year, according to the Global Business Traveler Association (GBTA). In order to draw in more planners, how can hoteliers increase the number of bleisure travel reservations they receive? Here are four helpful strategies.
Learn Four Strategies to Capitalize on Bleisure Travel Opportunities
Inform Organizers that Bleisure Travel is a Priority
Spreading the word about bleisure offerings early in the booking process will be crucial because you can’t sell what you don’t advertise. Bleisure vacation packages are something you may make and give to organizers to distribute to guests. According to Sarah Howell, a business travel specialist and the creator of the online business travel blog Road Warriorette, you can also use bleisure packages to directly connect with business travelers.
Provide a cause for tourists to remain in their current location
When it comes to business travel, the planners and internal travel agents are usually the ones who reserve conference rooms and make reservations for sales meetings. Price is undoubtedly a concern for them, but bleisure travelers are frequently much more frugal. Offering bleisure tourists lower pricing than corporate rates will not anger planners, but you can provide them with special benefits that will increase the allure of your location. For instance, offering a complimentary breakfast to every member of the bleisure group can be quite alluring and ultimately not particularly expensive.
Make it easy for people to switch between business and pleasure
Bleisure travelers extend their stays for days, not weeks, so they want fun, fast activities that will keep them entertained. Consider putting together two- to four-day post-conference or meeting programs that incorporate sightseeing, meals, and athletic activities such as hikes, bicycling, and water sports. Pass that information on to planners so they can do your marketing for you.
Four out of five bleisure travelers spend up to five hours researching what they can do once their business trip is over, exploring online or talking to co-workers. Venues that can take that planning off the traveler’s shoulders will earn brownie points and loyalty from already-overworked guests.
Consider the Family
According to the GBTA, almost three out of five (58%) bleisure travelers have children at home, and travelers with kids are just as likely to extend their trips as childless travelers. While venues don’t necessarily need to create kid camps or child-centric events, doing so can definitely boost the appeal of a bleisure trip. Howell says she recently brought her husband and young children along on a business trip because the venue offered s’mores roasting, pool games, and arts and crafts programs.
Conclusion
The demand for flexibility and a better work-life balance among modern professionals is aptly reflected in the trend of bleisure travel. Employees can experience stress reduction, cultural immersion, and a new outlook that improves their personal and professional lives by carefully integrating business and leisure travel.
In the end, the increase in both business and leisure travel is indicative of a larger change in corporate culture. Businesses that promote and encourage bleisure are investing in the happiness, retention, and well-being of their employees rather than merely providing a benefit. This hybrid approach to travel is increasingly becoming a crucial part of a more sustainable and satisfying career path as the boundaries between work and life continue to melt.
FAQ
What is bleisure travel, exactly?
Bleisure travel, which is a combination of the terms “business” and “leisure,” is the practice of combining personal leisure time with a work trip. This is adding a few additional days to a work trip so that you can spend more time exploring the location.
What are bleisure travel’s primary advantages?
It gives workers the opportunity to learn about a different culture, lessen the stress of travel, and enhance work-life balance. It can help businesses retain talent, improve work satisfaction, and raise staff morale without incurring large additional expenses.
How can a bleisure trip be planned to be as economical as possible?
Since your flight and lodging are usually covered for the business portion, the important thing is to prolong your trip either on the front or back end. Planning your activities ahead of time and reserving a hotel for the leisure days will help you save money.
Does bleisure travel have any special tax regulations?
Indeed, there are. Generally speaking, personal leisure expenses are not tax deductible, but business-related travel expenses (such as flight and hotel on work days) are. Maintaining thorough documentation and seeking advice from a tax expert are essential for ensuring accurate expense classification.
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