Bleisure Travel: Revolutionizing the Hospitality Industry

Over the last few years, bleisure travel — which combines business with leisure — has become a growing trend. For many people, traveling for business provides a lot of benefits for growth and mental health. This popular trend also offers new opportunities for the hospitality industry, particularly for hoteliers. 

According to recent Statista data, 56% of people opt for bleisure or blended travel, second only to 60% who attend conventions and meetings in person. As a result, it indicates that a bleisure traveler’s purchasing habits are different from a typical tourist’s. 

Therefore, the hospitality industry needs to level up and provide more flexible options when catering to such guests. For instance, they can leverage the latest technology, such as a free hotel booking plugin, to manage guest reservations.

The Rise of Bleisure Travel

Bleisure travel typically involves going on a business trip that’s been extended for leisure activities. Some people call it “blended travel,” “workcation,” or “bizcation.” 

According to CFO.com, 76% said that business travelers want to go on a bleisure trip. After all, it offers a variety of perks, including saving money on airfare, hotel accommodations, and food expenses. 

Other reasons why traveling for business and leisure is popular are:

• More opportunities to visit new places. According to Bleisure Travel Statistics, 43% say visiting must-see places is the top reason for blended traveling.
• More opportunities to relax and recharge. 21% say that blended travelers experience improved mental health, according to The Future of Blended Travel.
• Spending time with their family or loved ones: Most travelers prefer to bring their families on a trip.
• Budget-friendliness. Bleisure traveling is more affordable because the company is paying for the travel expenses.

Here are some factors that influence most business travelers to extend their trip:

• Affordability;
• Safety and security;
• Easy-to-navigate locations;
• Bucket list destinations;
• A variety of restaurants and activities;
• Proximity, and 
• Additional personal costs.

Impact on the Hospitality Industry

With the increasing popularity of bleisure, the travel and tourism industry is experiencing more positive growth. As a result, it allows hoteliers to improve their hospitality services. 

Here are the following impacts of bleisure trips on the industry:

Accommodation Adjustments

The majority of bleisure travelers stay in the same place for both work and leisure. According to GBTA.org, 93% of these travelers are more likely to extend trips for discounted weekend rates from hotel accommodations. Therefore, hoteliers should consider offering new perks, such as:

• Discounts; 
• Tour packages,
• Pre-planned activities, etc. 

So, hoteliers can make adjustments to accommodations to showcase the hotel’s services and deliver great experiences. For example, they can take advantage of the features of a hotel booking plugin to give potential customers vital details on hotel accommodations and amenities.

Doing this significantly contributes to guest satisfaction, encourages repeat bookings, and creates loyal customers.

Enhanced Services

Other than workspaces and accommodation services, travelers also want places for relaxation and recreation. Thus, hotels should consider offering health and wellness services, such as:

• Fitness centers;
• Swimming pools;
• Hot tubs;
• Bars and lounge areas, etc.

Marketing Strategies

According to Hospitality Net, 78% of guests prefer immediate benefits rather than accumulating points. Hence, hoteliers can hop on the concept of bleisure to bring in more travelers. For instance, they can share the benefits of bleisure travel with potential customers. 

So consider offering promos, vouchers and coupons, discounts, or loyalty programs as part of your digital marketing strategy. 

Technology Integration

According to Online Travel Booking Statistics, around 700 million guests are booking a hotel online. However, they usually spend more time reading reviews before selecting their desired accommodations. Travelers often look for a reliable online booking system that features all the information they need.

Among the many details travelers want to know about include the following:

• Accommodation rates and inclusion packages;
• Access to various amenities;
• Location and proximity to various establishments;
• Special offers and promos;
• Add-on services for special needs;
• Payment options, etc.

Meanwhile, other travelers also expect businesses in the travel and tourism industry to invest in technology. According to Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), 65% of guests prefer accommodations with smart room features. These often involve added safety and security for their valuables.

Sustainable Practices

According to EcoWatch, a survey reported that 76% of travelers want sustainable travel options. They wanted to reduce their impact on the environment whenever they traveled, such as turning off the hotel room’s air conditioners and reusing linens. This is their own way of reducing the effects of climate change.

Challenges and Opportunities

While the hospitality industry is seeing the rise of blended travel, it also comes with challenges and opportunities. 

Here are tips on how hoteliers can manage them:

Meeting the Traveler’s Needs

Blended travelers still have to work remotely, so hoteliers can provide flexible workspaces and meeting rooms. At the same time, they can set up a separate place within the hotel where guests can also relax and unwind. That way, it’s easier for them to go back to their core business responsibilities.

Resolving Scheduling Issues

Bleisure travelers are known to stay at their destination longer than others. So, consider offering tailored packages based on their desired schedules, especially on weekly booking patterns. As a result, travelers can flexibly combine business and leisure anytime.

Inventory Management

Of course, room availability can also affect traditional guests. Bleisure travelers extend or shorten their days on vacation based on leisure activities available. Therefore, hoteliers may find it challenging to display the number of rooms available for traditional guests in real-time. 

To ensure a seamless reservation experience, hoteliers can implement a dynamic pricing option and inventory management system to optimize occupancy rates. Additionally, utilizing an online booking platform can prevent hotel booking problems for business and traditional travelers. 

Providing Details on Their Location

In some cases, business travelers may not have time to look up their destination before their trip, as the company may arrange and pay for their travel.

According to the 2024 Travel Trend, 47% of global travelers consider exploration and adventure to be a priority. To meet these needs, consider showcasing your location and its settings, including its nearby entertainment activities and dining establishments. 

Hotels can partner with other businesses to create immersive experiences for these travelers, such as day tours or well-rounded excursions.

Embrace Bleisure Travel and Grow Your Hotel Business

The rise of bleisure travel offers a plethora of opportunities for hotel businesses. Embracing this evolving hospitality trend can help you craft experiences that cater to both traditional and bleisure travelers. 

By offering flexible accommodations and taking advantage of technology, hospitality businesses can unlock significant potential growth.