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- Seventy-eight percent of employees interviewed asserted that by adding on a few personal days to a business trip, the professional assignment became more rewarding
- Seventy-eight percent of employees interviewed asserted that by adding on a few personal days to a business trip, the professional assignment became more rewarding
It’s an intriguing portmanteau, but what does this new term—bleisure—actually mean? Defined simply, it is a blending of business-oriented trips with personal time. For instance, an account manager may be sent to Paris for a client meeting and decide to extend the trip over the weekend to shop the Champs-Élysées. By combining business with leisure, she is participating in the bleisure trend.
With the growing prevalence of computer-based, mobile jobs, the trend makes sense—and statistics show an increase in the number of people taking part in the bleisure phenomenon. Bleisure trips increased 6% since 2012, according to Travel Weekly’s 2016 Consumer Trends Report. Not only is it easier than ever to manage your professional responsibilities remotely, bleisure saves both time and money. The former is especially relevant for Americans. The average employee receives only eight vacation days in the first year of work, according to a study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These younger employees want to optimize vacation time by tacking on one or two days to the end of a business trip without wasting precious paid time off on a six-hour flight to Europe. It also makes financial sense. When the company is paying for the plane ticket, the employee only has to pay for part of the expense of taking the vacation, such as dropping a few hundred bucks on an extra night or two at a nice hotel, buying concert tickets or fancy cocktails.
Bleisure is not only popular among employees; employers are starting to realize that it is a prime opportunity to endorse work-life balance. Seventy-eight percent of employees interviewed asserted that by adding on a few personal days to a business trip, the professional assignment became more rewarding , according to a survey by the Bridgestreet Global Hospitality research firm. Bleisure raises employee morale, which could lead to fewer turnovers and a loyal staff.
The hospitality industry has also realized the growing significance of bleisure. In the wake of the economic downturn, this sector has weathered a drop in revenue, and hotels are seeking out new ways to generate income. It hasn’t escaped their notice that business travelers, who can “expense” dinners and cocktails, tend to spend more money than typical vacationers. To capitalize on this trend, hotels from all over the United States have tailored their amenities to cater to bleisure travelers—by serving a wider selection of grab-and-go continental breakfasts and by offering bespoke concierge services that focus more attention on the individual, for instance. The Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau recently published their first visitors’ guide targeting business travelers. Other hotels have hired meeting planners to assist employees in planning pre- and post- business activities.
The Surf & Sand Resort in Laguna Beach, California, for example, offers plush meeting spaces, gourmet menus and beachside coffee breaks, all to encourage attendees to extend their stays. They also provide family members with diversions, like easy access to the beach, an impressive fitness center and a relaxing, full-service spa.
In Malibu, California, the Four Seasons property, Westlake Village, offers similar amenities, such as 45,000 square feet of event space, private dining packages and state-of-the-art technology solutions. Dedicated conference planners ensure that family members are occupied, by arranging tours of Hollywood Studios or peaceful picnics on the beach. When meetings are over, employees are only steps away from joining their loved ones on a memorable vacation, making for a seamless transition from business to pleasure.
The Hotel Van Zandt in Austin, Texas, is one of the newest properties to jump on the bleisure bandwagon. It’s doing an impressive job of blending business with an authentic, music-inspired Austin vibe, thanks to designer Mark Zeff. In addition to supplying all facilities with the necessary equipment for an effective meeting or conference—such as 11 dedicated meeting rooms, fast internet service and top-notch audio-visual equipment—they also nurture an atmosphere conducive to innovation. According to their website, they are “all about setting up creative venues,” which is certainly evident to anyone who has stepped into one of their meeting rooms—from the shabby-chic Davis room, decorated with giant typewriter keys, to the sleek and elegant Lady Bird.
In a city with so much personality, the Hotel Van Zandt ensures its business guests come away with a taste of Austin. Even if employees can only snag an extra day or two of personal time, the hotel offers a live-performance venue, where Director of Music Lauren Bucherie curates local artists. While listening to blues or folk, weary business travelers can sip an Austin-inspired cocktail at Geraldine’s where executive chef Stephen Bonin concocts creative libations. The Van Zandt promises that guests are able to both unwind and board their return flight with a distinct appreciation for Austin culture.
Americans have long been branded as workaholics, unable to disconnect from email even on weekends. Bleisure represents a compromise for the dedicated businessman or woman; it offers a symbiosis through which employees can balance professional obligations with much needed R&R. With forward-thinking hotels like the Van Zandt embracing the trend, it certainly seems like it’s here to stay, which is good news for everyone, from CEOs to first-year hires.
