Dear WuBookers, this is probably not the first time you’ve heard of bleisure travel, and it almost certainly won’t be the last. It is, in fact, a fairly recent phenomenon that’s still growing, and one that can have a positive impact on the hotel industry as well. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what it means and how to leverage it to increase your property’s occupancy.

What Does Bleisure Travel Mean and Why Is It Important to Know?

Bleisure travel stands for business and leisure travel and comes from the combination of two English words: “business” and “leisure.” Bleisure trips are, in fact, a hybrid that combines professional needs with leisure and vacation time.

Bleisure travelers, therefore, travel for business reasons, falling squarely within the MICE segment, but during their stay they also engage in additional activities or extend their stay to do so, perhaps accompanied by friends and family.

It is common for people, especially those from abroad, to work during the week and, before returning home, extend their reservation through the weekend to visit and enjoy their travel destination. This opportunity is also made possible by the costs they incur. In fact, companies typically cover the cost of flights and hotel stays required for professional activities, leaving the individual professional responsible only for expenses related to extra days and services. This arrangement makes the trip much more affordable and doesn’t rule out the possibility of adding other guests.

The Difference Between Bleisure Travel, Workation, and Bizcation

A slightly different, though similar, concept is that of a “workation.” Unlike bleisure travel, workations (a combination of “work” and “vacation”) are longer getaways to vacation destinations that offer good internet connectivity and infrastructure suitable for working. Another common term for this type of trip is bizcation, a blend of “business” and “vacation.”

What differs, therefore, is the underlying principle: while those seeking a workation have more flexibility in choosing their destination and need only ensure they can carry out their daily work, bleisure travelers are constrained by their role within the company and their responsibilities, and they travel based on business appointments and opportunities.

Gaining a deeper understanding of this trend and the expectations of bleisure customers can provide useful insights for improving a hotel’s offerings and, consequently, its revenue.

The Scale of the Phenomenon: Data and Statistics to Consider

A few figures help illustrate the scope of the phenomenon. TravelPerk has compiled the most interesting data from recent years and their sources. Without delving into the details of each survey, it is worth highlighting some particularly significant figures regarding the volume, target audience, and perception of bleisure travel:

• According to the most recent estimates, bleisure travel will be worth 732 billion dollars by 2030;
• each year, business travelers spend an average of 22 days traveling for work. The average business trip lasts 3.8 days;
• 55% of business travelers took at least two blended trips in 2024;
• 41% of travel managers have noticed an increase in requests from colleagues to extend their business trips.

As for the customer base, however, those most likely to combine a leisure stay while traveling for work belong to Generation Z (79%), followed by Millennials (72%) and Generation X.

What bleisure travelers are looking for

What we’ve seen so far allows us to define more clearly what bleisure travelers’ expectations and desires are, and, therefore, what to offer them.

Accommodations Tailored to Their Leisure Needs

Guests in this segment are looking for accommodations where they can also host other people, including family members and friends, who may have different needs than the person who made the reservation. This could particularly benefit properties such as B&Bs, apartment complexes, and vacation rentals, which typically offer more spacious accommodations and a more informal atmosphere. On the other hand, hotels have the advantage of being able to attract reservations thanks to their business facilities. In fact, it has been found that many bleisure trips begin with a conference: the key for hotels lies in successfully combining typical business spaces with leisure services.

… but also to business needs

It should not be forgotten, in fact, that these are first and foremost people traveling for work, and as such, they should be able to count on suitable environments and facilities: an efficient internet connection and work-friendly furnishings (a desk and an ergonomic chair in the room, for example) are the bare minimum you can offer to ensure comfort even during business hours.

Extra offerings and entertainment services

Precisely because they don’t have to cover the entire cost of their stay and have little time to plan their leisure activities, bleisure guests are more likely to invest in extra activities, especially if they’re flexible and available on weekends. Among the top interests of this segment are, for example, food and wine experiences; beaches; art, museums, and culture; must-see destinations; and outdoor activities.

Why target (as well) bleisure travelers?

There are three main reasons:

• they have greater spending power: business travelers typically spend about 25% more than leisure travelers;
• they help offset the off-season: business trips are concentrated on weekdays and aren’t weather-dependent, so rooms fill up even during the off-season. Furthermore, although stays are shorter, on average, than leisure trips, they occur more frequently throughout the year;
• they tend to be loyal customers, especially if the property effectively meets both their work and leisure needs.

How to Attract Bleisure Travelers to Your Property

We know how many there are and what they’re looking for, and why it’s beneficial for them to stay at your property, but how can you attract this type of traveler and make the most of their stay? Here are 5 recommended strategies.

1. Technology for Simplification

Business travelers tend to prefer brands that use technology to offer them convenient and fast solutions.

Keep in mind that these guests are traveling for business and, at least for part of their stay, have schedules dictated by work commitments; they cannot afford to waste too much time on bureaucratic procedures or other hassles. Digital check-in/check-out, contactless payments, and digital concierge services can brilliantly meet this need.

2. Equipped and Flexible Workspaces

In addition to any conference rooms and spaces dedicated to business meetings, bleisure travelers appreciate the availability of coworking areas or spaces suitable for remote work. This means equipping an area of the property with comfortable, well-equipped workstations: individual or shared tables, chairs and armchairs, and partitions to provide greater privacy.

3. Dedicated packages and targeted discounts

Alongside services that enhance work comfort (such as free parking and other on-site amenities), to attract bleisure travelers it’s also helpful to focus on offers related to the leisure aspect of the stay. So, offer discounts on standard rates for those who extend their stay, and tourist packages that combine accommodation with scheduled activities such as guided tours, admission to museums, parks, and other local attractions, experiences with the local community, or opportunities for relaxation.

4. Partnerships with Experts and Other Local Professionals

Organizations specializing in corporate travel, such as agencies and event companies, can be very helpful in ensuring continuity and building customer loyalty over time: many business trips are, in fact, recurring because they’re linked to annual events. Local businesses, on the other hand, may need to periodically host employees and remote workers, or manage events with national and international clients and partners: it is therefore worth promoting your property as one equipped with the right facilities and suitable accommodations.

5. Flexibility in Dates and Booking Conditions

Flexibility is also an important factor for travelers, especially for bleisure travelers, whose itineraries can change many times before departure. That’s why it’s helpful to offer rates with flexible cancellation policies that can adapt to their needs and, as a result, encourage reservations.

The Right Tools to Work Effectively (and Satisfy Guests)

Whether it’s work-friendly spaces or custom packages, the offerings dedicated to bleisure travel must certainly be managed and promoted effectively. This is why it’s essential for the property to have the right digital tools, such as Zak, the PMS by WuBook.

With this software, you can:

• set and manage rates across all distribution channels, including OTA websites;
• modify and update prices according to your sales strategy, the time of year, and occupancy levels, to maximize the use of your resources;
• receive direct reservations in a simple and immediate way for both the hotelier and the guest;
• speed up check-in and check-out procedures, thereby improving service for travelers;
• develop travel packages and dedicated offers to encourage longer and more profitable stays;
• highlight on your website all the advantages of your property and the benefits reserved for this segment;
• implement an email marketing strategy with pre-set and automated communications that encourage customer loyalty.

Ultimately, WuBook’s Zak allows you to do everything necessary to encourage this type of reservation and make life streamlined for property owners and hoteliers.

Bleisure travelers can be an attractive audience for several reasons: now that you know how to best welcome them, all you have to do is try to attract them!