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London is the world's No 2 Destination!
Cavendish Venues, conference venues Central London examined the latest industry reports, travel surveys, and their own data. The findings highlight the significant growth of bleisure travel and underscore why companies must pay attention to this transformative shift in the travel industry.
Today's Global Bleisure Market
Explosive growth is anticipated in the coming decade.
Adding leisure time to business trips is not new, but its popularity has surged in recent years and is expected to continue growing.
Allied Market Research estimates that the global bleisure market was valued at $315.3 billion in 2022 and is projected to more than double to $731.4 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9%. Several factors contribute to this dramatic growth:
- Increased demand for work-life balance.
- Digital transformation in the travel industry.
- More affordable hospitality services.
Businesses are also adopting more flexible travel policies and encouraging employees to extend their trips for leisure purposes. This shift in corporate culture supports bleisure travel and contributes to its growth.
What Business Travellers Want
Today’s business travellers aim to maximise their travel experiences by turning business commitments into meaningful and enriching trips.
In the "State of Corporate Travel and Expense 2025" report by Navan, 54% of business travellers took at least two trips blending business and leisure in 2024. This blended mindset is reshaping how travellers spend their downtime, with over half exploring local areas and nearly 40% pursuing personal hobbies.
A survey by the American Hotel & Lodging Association found that 89% of travellers want to add leisure time to their business trips. Additionally, a Banyan survey revealed that 76% of business travellers have added leisure travel to a business trip at least once.
Business Travellers Focus on Work-Life Balance
Business travellers increasingly value work-life balance and recognise the importance of rejuvenation during their trips. By extending their stays for leisure activities, they prioritize their well-being, leading to higher job satisfaction and productivity.
Fifty-five percent of employees view bleisure as a way to maintain a better work-life balance. Leisure time during business trips adds value to job assignments for 78% of business travelers. Additionally, 73% believe bleisure opportunities benefit them as employees by reducing stress, increasing happiness, and boosting productivity upon returning home.
The most tangible benefit of a bleisure trip for an employee is cost savings, as the employer covers airfare, leaving the business traveller to pay only for lodging and personal expenses during the leisure portion of the trip.
Why Companies Should Take Note
The numbers clearly show that companies should pay attention to the bleisure phenomenon. By accommodating and embracing this trend, organizations can foster employee satisfaction, productivity, and overall well-being. Bleisure travel can also be a tool for talent recruitment and retention.
Encouraging leisure time on business trips makes employees more willing to travel and feel more engaged with their work. About 73% of employees view the opportunity to add leisure time as a corporate perk, with many millennials and Gen Z employees specifically choosing to work for companies offering this flexibility.
As the business landscape continues to evolve, bleisure travel highlights the importance of taking time off for a fulfilling professional experience. A quarter of corporate travel decision-makers plan to offer a stipend for personal vacations, and more companies are embracing bleisure travel as an employee benefit.
How the Travel Industry Is Changing
The travel and hospitality industries are adapting to the growing popularity of bleisure travel.
Navan data indicates that the primary reason for business trips has shifted from individual road warrior journeys to team travel outings, including company meetings, events, and offsites. This change means that employees who rarely or never travelled for work are now on the road, and the allure of exploring new destinations is strong.
Big players in the travel industry are paying attention to the rise of bleisure travel:
- Marriott International reported that business travellers stay 20% longer than in the past.
- British Airways stated as recently as January 25 the bleisure was their fastest growing market
This goes hand in hand with a number of broader changes in our industry:
- The falling process of bedrooms in 5-star Hotels in London
- Increasing Demand for Conference Venues in London
Airlines and hoteliers are capitalising on the trend by adapting spaces, loyalty programs, and marketing strategies to appeal to bleisure travellers.
Top 10 Bleisure Travel Destinations
The top 10 bleisure destinations:
1. New York
2. London
3. San Francisco
4. Chicago
5. Paris
Cavendish Venues is uniquely positioned in this market. We are the only conference venues in London with locations in both the West End & Westminster, (Cavendish Conference Centre and the Hallam Conference Centre) the historic shopping and entertainment heart of London, and the City of London, (America Square Conference Centre and the Minster Conference Centre) traditionally the business centre of the City.
If you would like to know more or to make a booking get in touch now: enquiries@cavendishvenues.com or 0207 706 7700
