I’ve always been the kind of person who accidentally on purpose extends a business trip by two or three days… strictly for leisure, of course. I mean, what’s the point of being in a fabulous destination and not exploring it? Wink wink.
But here’s the thing about bleisure, it can be a bit tricky. Your boss needs to know (and ideally approve) that you’re adding a few extra days to unwind after an intense work trip. Honestly, I think every company should have a bleisure policy. Just putting that into the universe.
So, what is bleisure?
Bleisure, a charming blend of business and leisure, is a term coined to describe the practice of extending a work trip to include some personal downtime. And no, we’re not talking about mixing business with pleasure. We keep it professional. Business ends, leisure begins.
I’m often on the road, mostly for work. Most recently, we flew to Cape Town, South Africa for World Travel Market Africa, one of the biggest tourism networking events on the continent. We were there representing our client and networking as Crescendo Digital.
Now, who comes to Cape Town and doesn’t want to stay a little longer? I managed to squeeze in a couple of extra days to soak up the best the city has to offer, and let me tell you, Cape Town is that girl. A charming city that wraps you up and makes you want to stay forever.
In just a short time, I managed to tour the city, indulge in a wine tasting experience, savour local cuisine, and support Black and women-owned businesses. It was marvellous and honestly, I wished I had more time. The event ended on a high note, I got to rest, and I experienced a slice of the destination.
Bleisure is quickly becoming one of the fastest-growing trends in tourism. According to Hotel Tech Report, the global bleisure tourism market was valued at $594 billion in 2023, with projections suggesting it could surge to $3.5 trillion by 2033. While exact figures vary, industry surveys consistently show that a significant portion of business travellers, upwards of 60%, have added a leisure component to at least one work trip in recent years, reflecting the growing desire to blend productivity with personal exploration. And it’s not just for international travel, domestic bleisure is just as rewarding. And it’s not just for international travel, domestic bleisure is just as rewarding.
So, why should you consider turning your next business trip into a bleisure experience?
Take advantage of the paid trip
You’re already going… flights are booked, and work is footing the bill. All you need to do is ask your travel agent to shift your return flight by a day or two and cover the extra accommodation costs. It’s cost-effective and fulfilling. You get to stretch your legs and expand your experience.
Explore a new destination
Be bold. Dive into the culture, taste the food, meet the people, and discover what makes the place tick. If time is tight, go on a city tour, visit a museum, or dine at a local restaurant for a quick cultural fix. Got a bit of more time? A little souvenir shopping never hurt anybody.
Have some downtime
Let’s be honest, you’ve spent the week networking, shaking hands, pitching ideas, and dodging awkward buffet conversations. You need a moment to pause before jumping back into the grind. Use the extra day to rest, unplug, and recharge. Switch off your electronics, sleep in, go for a stroll, enjoy a massage, and just breathe.
Of course, it’s not all sunshine and spa days. Every organisation has its policies around bleisure. Fortunately, more and more companies are starting to understand its value. Have a chat with your line manager about what’s possible. If it’s not formally supported, consider using paid leave to carve out that extra time.
At the end of the day, business travel doesn’t have to be all meetings and no magic. Do your job, deliver on the business, but don’t forget to live a little. You deserve that sneaky getaway!
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