Bleisure - Integrating Fun Into Traditional Business Travel

Silicon Valley disrupted the business world in 2008, and Millennials disrupted the business travel sector in 2016.

Office work took off after World War II when the American economy changed from farming, ranching, and manufacturing to government, telecommunications, real estate, and finance, among other related sectors.

As the number of positions in corporate environments grew, companies developed protocols for employee behavior and processes.

Then, the economy experienced several downturns, and discontent among the young expanded. Silicon Valley rebounded from the bubble bursting in the early 2000s.

As near-zero interest on debt poured into startups, they expanded and forced cultural changes that corporations adopted on varying levels.

Among them was making work more fun, including office work and business trips.

Here’s how younger corporate travelers are integrating fun into traditional business travel with bleisure.

What Is Bleisure?

Bleisure is the blending of business and leisure travel. Corporate travel has a rich history and became a way of life for most merchants. The development of the railroad and car allowed traveling salesmen and business owners to go further distances.

Travel also became more corporate as office jobs rose in the United States. Professionals accepted the corporate culture and abided by its unwritten rules until a new generation in the late 2000s decided to rebel against it.

Travelers started vacationing before or after corporate gatherings, meetings, and conferences. Why not enjoy sightseeing in San Francisco, Los Angeles, or New York City after an industry convention or client meeting?

After all, how many opportunities to travel to popular cities occur for professionals annually?

Other travelers migrate to nearby destinations after professional seminars or training and development sessions. For example, it’s a direct flight from New York City to Miami or a hop, skip, and jump from Los Angeles to San Diego.

After picking a bleisure destination, professionals must figure out when to take it.

Finding the Time for Bleisure

Corporate travel planners book dates for flights and hotels for team members based on company needs. It’s common for travelers to leave on red-eye flights so that they can arrive at their meetings without requiring additional nights of accommodations.

Plus, red-eye prices save companies money.

Then, companies expect team members to return right after meetings, conferences, and gatherings wrap up, even if it means flying out in the evening.

Therefore, bleisure travelers must find time for the leisure leg of the trip. If the trip’s purpose wraps up on a Thursday evening, travelers can request to take their leisure during the weekend and be back in the office Monday morning.

Accommodations for Bleisure

Next, travelers must figure out their accommodations. Your company might expect you to fly back on Thursday evening, so they do not need to pay for the extra hotel night.

Travelers who want to start their leisure trip that evening can re-book it under their name and credit card.

Another option is to book a different room that fits your budget or one at a completely different property.

Can’t decide between booking a motel or hotel? This guide from Hotel Engine can help.

How To Find a Healthy Balance

The first purpose of business travel is to accomplish an established goal. Sometimes the purpose is closing a deal. Other times, it’s gathering new leads.

After that, companies expect team members to return to the office ready to hit the ground running again.

Thus, professionals who wish to enjoy bleisure must find a healthy balance between company-established objectives and their pursuit of fun.

Traveler Responsibilities

Before combining travel and leisure travel, speak with the company’s travel manager. Discuss the details of your plan and how you hope to piggyback off the trip.

Successful bleisure starts with understanding your responsibilities, namely the financial ones. Outline

The corporate travel manager will make the proper notes on your trip’s file. Plus, they note when you plan to return to the office. It’s essential to make bleisure seamless so others can enjoy it.

Conclusion

Bleisure requires some corporate approval since the traveler will pay for their end of the costs. Plus, it requires additional days out of the office. If approved, it’s an excellent strategy for fulfilling professional company missions and enjoying the local sites since you’re already in the area.

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