Beyond the Meeting: Embracing Bleisure

• Drives retention: Studies have found that employees who took vacations were less likely to leave their jobs, while bleisure proponents are more than twice as likely to search for a job that includes business travel.
  
  
• Enhances productivity: Fifty-nine percent of employees say they are more productive after traveling to new places for work.
  
  
• Supports employee wellness: Vacations enhance employee and organizational health, with short breaks like bleisure trips matching or exceeding the restorative benefits of longer vacations.
  
  
• Champions work-life balance: A 2024 survey revealed that 64% of respondents believe that bleisure enhances work-life balance and over two-thirds indicated they would be more attracted to jobs that encourage bleisure travel.
  
  
• Fosters creativity: Some of the best ideas come from a rested mind. For example, Lin-Manuel Miranda conceived the idea for the Broadway hit Hamilton while on vacation.
  
  
• Saves money: Many bleisure travelers remain at the same hotel after business events, enabling companies to take advantage of lower rates for extended stays. Additionally, airfare is usually cheaper on lower-demand days, particularly on Saturdays. Employees who extend their leisure stay before or after a business event can fly at a lower cost, saving the company money.
  
  
• Supports environmental goals: Bleisure trips are more sustainable because they combine business and vacation travel, effectively reducing the carbon emissions of two separate trips.

As more companies adopt bleisure policies, here are some tips to enhance their impact:

• Choose meeting destinations with bleisure in mind: Hosting meetings in bucket-list destinations attracts employees. A study by Expedia found that this was a primary reason for business travelers to extend their trips. Conversely, business events in budget-friendly locations can make bleisure trips more affordable, which is also a plus for employees.
  
  
• Consider trip timing: Shoulder and off-seasons offer lower rates and fewer crowds. Blended trips typically increase during shoulder seasons when travel prices decrease and during conference season when business travel peaks.
  
  
• Communicate policies clearly: Define policies and establish boundaries for personal expenses to prevent overspending or confusion between personal and business expenses.
  
  
• Optimize meeting times and breaks: Some business travelers may skip certain activities to unwind, so scheduling shorter meetings with more breaks can be beneficial. In addition, encouraging leisure stays after events can help employees recharge and return to work refreshed.

• Simplify employee reimbursements: Offsite events impact 77% of Gen Z employees and 70% of millennials financially. A split-pay policy can streamline payments between corporate and personal funds, enabling employees to receive reimbursements more quickly.
  
  
• Allow family members on specific business trips: This practice can improve work-life satisfaction and promote employee well-being and productivity. A split payment system that distinguishes personal and business expenses ensures the company pays only for the employee's costs.
  
  
• Enhance bleisure experiences: Provide recommendations for leisure activities, such as outdoor adventures, entertainment, and relaxation options. Sharing this list in advance helps employees plan ahead while increasing appreciation for personal time off.
  
  
• Offer incentive gifts focused on bleisure: Instead of standard items like logo-embossed bags or journals, consider locally relevant gifts like hotel credits, theater tickets, restaurant gift cards, or certificates to nearby shops. These serve as effective rewards that reinforce the benefits of the meeting or event.

Bleisure programs offer numerous benefits, from attracting and retaining top talent to inspiring innovative ideas. They represent a valuable investment with multiple advantages for companies and employees alike.

For more ideas on bleisure-friendly meeting destinations, contact your HelmsBriscoe Associate.