The line between work and play continues to blur, and one of the clearest examples is the rise of “bleisure” travel, the growing trend of combining business and leisure trips. What started as a niche concept has exploded into a significant force in the travel industry, and companies are taking notice.
The numbers speak for themselves. The bleisure travel market is not just growing; it’s poised for a massive expansion. Statista projects a 500% growth in the global bleisure market by 2033. In 2024, the market is valued at $430 billion, a considerable jump from $394 billion the previous year, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3%, according to Business Research Company.
How common is it? A Deloitte study found that 66% of corporate travelers extended a business trip for leisure in 2023. A considerable 14% did so on three or more trips. This indicates a significant shift in how employees view business travel, with many seeking to maximize their time away from home.
Several factors drive this trend. Employees, particularly Gen Z, see corporate travel as a perk. TravelPerk found that 79% of Gen Z business travelers want to explore new places for work, compared to 72% of Millennials and 60% of Gen X. Many also want companies to allow them to extend their business trip with leisure travel. For example, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HLT) data indicates that around 34% of Gen Z and Millennial business travelers plan to extend their trips in 2024 for leisure.
The benefits extend beyond employee satisfaction. A SavvySleeper survey indicates that corporate travel is linked to employee satisfaction, with 90% of business travelers desiring to travel for work for the rest of their careers. Bleisure trips can combat burnout and improve work-life balance. Hilton Hotels data showed 76% of participants reported negative outcomes if they went too long without time off. Encouraging bleisure travel can position businesses as advocates for employee well-being, leading to better engagement and retention.
Of course, some destinations are more popular than others. New York City tops the list for bleisure trips, followed by Paris and London, according to CEO World.
Bleisure travel is more than just a trend, it’s a fundamental shift in how we perceive work and travel. Companies that recognize and adapt to this change by incorporating bleisure into their travel policies stand to gain a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining top talent.
