With those March 21st and 29th public holidays coming up, business travellers have a golden egg of an opportunity to plan a fun bleisure trip (that’s business travel combined with leisure) - one that works for you and your company too.
Bonnie Smith, GM of Corporate Traveller, explains that encouraging bleisure travel is important – it boosts morale and leads to less burnout. Ticking those mental health Duty of Care boxes right there! But not all travellers have the same idea of what a good bleisure travel break entails.
So, how can you sweeten the deal for your travelling team? By being flexible with that travel policy and setting up some accommodating measures for this blended travel trend, that's how. "Business travellers should be open with their travel managers about their personal wants and needs on the road, and bleisure options that appeal to them. The travel policy chat should be a two-way conversation - one that includes business expenses,” Smith advises.
But what kind of bleisure travel bunny are you really? Well, that depends on which of these egg-citing business traveller personas you identify with most:
Business travel type: The leave hoarder
You stockpile those paid leave days like they’re candy Easter eggs, itching to extend any business trip into a bonus mini-vacay. The slow travel life is the life for you - staying a while to really sink into the local culture and vibes. You've got your sights set on destinations where you can cash in that sweet stockpile for lots of relaxing exploration time that does good for your mental health.
To consider: Those March 21st, 29th and April 1st public holidays? Combine them into one 16-day bleisure extravaganza for maximum free days off to play with. “Just have an honest chat upfront about who’s paying for what with your work,” Smith recommends. “You covering food and accommodation for the leisure days? Is it a business expense? Get it all squared away beforehand.”
Travel policy tip: "Let staff tack on some extra holiday time to business travel, but set some limits to your travel policy so you don't end up short-staffed. Spell out which leisure expenses are covered too," says Smith.
Business Travel type: The family fan
You’re all about those business trips that let you bring the family along, turning business travel into a family adventure. Your travel plans revolve around the little ones just as much as the big clients, so kid-friendly destinations and accommodations with activities for all ages are a must. You value travel policies that give you responsibilities at home, not just at the office.
To consider: Want to bring the brood without ballooning the budget? Downgrade yourself by swapping that business class ticket for economy class, and you can use the budget towards their tickets to make the trip more cost effective - with HO's approval, of course.
Travel policy tip: “Why not bundle the family into the bleisure travel package? Offer discounted rates for those extra guests or bigger rooms for everyone. See if you can snag some family perks too, like kids' club access or hotel dining packages that help ease the load of expenses," Smith suggests. "And make sure travel insurance covers the whole crew.”
Business Travel type: The routine lover
Nobody comes between you and your daily routine - not even business travel. Your travel itineraries absolutely must include rituals like your 30-minute morning workout or that 3 pm matcha tea ceremony. You gravitate towards destinations with comfy, familiar amenities to keep your lifestyle routines going strong on the road.
To consider: Want to bring the brood without ballooning the budget? Downgrade yourself by swapping that business class ticket for economy class, and you can use the budget towards their tickets to make the trip more cost effective —with HO's approval, of course.
Travel policy tip: “Why not bundle the family into the bleisure travel package? Offer discounted rates for those extra guests or bigger rooms for everyone. See if you can snag some family perks too, like kids' club access or hotel dining packages that help ease the load of expenses," Smith suggests. "And make sure travel insurance covers the whole crew.”
Business Travel type: The cultural connoisseur
You can't bear the thought of visiting a destination without experiencing its cultural icons and hotspots. No trip is complete without a museum visit or sampling the local cuisine. You're drawn to destinations steeped in history, art, and culture—anywhere you can really engage with the local communities and traditions. A business trip that doesn't let you pop into at least one art gallery? Not cool.
To consider: The cross-cultural insights and global marketplace smarts you gain are a definite value-add for the company - something worth pitching if you want to add some 'me' time to your Easter work trip.
Travel policy tip: Build in some flexibility around those daily work schedules for bleisure travel. That frees travellers up to hit cultural events, tours and the like in the mornings or evenings without impacting their work commitments. “If you've got local offices or staff in the area, connect visiting employees with them for insider tips and locally-led cultural outings,” Smith recommends.
Business Travel type: The adventure collector
On the airport transfer, all you can think about is finding a way to scale that mountain you spotted out the window or getting your surfboard ready for that beach you just drove by. You're an adrenaline junkie, always on the hunt for the next big thrill. So, travel itineraries had better include some high-octane outdoor adventures and activities if they want to keep you happy.
To consider: Safety first, thrillseeker.
Travel policy tip: "Set up a waiver system that requires your adventure collectors to acknowledge they're participating in high-risk activities at their own risk," Smith says. "Have clear safety requirements they need to follow too, like using certified outfitters, proper gear and all that good stuff if they want to book any daredevil feats on personal time." You can also share resources on adventure travel best practices, local rules and regs, and negotiate some corporate rates with trusted local outfitters if employees want to book through approved vendors.
The bottom line, according to Smith? Don't put all your Easter eggs in one basket - make sure that the travel policy and booking process has enough flexibility to cater to all the different breeds of bleisure travel bunnies. The goal is a tailored travel programme that balances with your employees’ bleisure travel needs while keeping budgets and safety a top priority.