Something’s been coming up more often in industry conversations lately.
A traveller books flights to Dubai for a three-day conference. Standard business trip. But then they ask: “What if I stayed through the weekend? Could my partner join me on Thursday? Is there somewhere nearby worth exploring?”
It’s called bleisure (business + leisure travel), and it’s been growing steadily over the past few years! According to recent industry research, 42% of UK business travellers extended their work trips for personal time in 2023. The global bleisure market is now valued at £515 billion, with projected compound annual growth of 17.8% through 2035.
TL;DR
- 42% of UK business travellers add leisure time to work trips (2023 data)
- Global bleisure market valued at £515 billion, growing 17.8% annually
- Boomers saw 147% increase in AI-assisted travel planning year-on-year
- Solo travel doubled to 12% in 2025, with many being business travellers extending stays
- Remote work flexibility is reshaping how people think about business trips
It’s Not Just Younger Travellers Anymore
For a while, bleisure felt like something mostly younger professionals did. That picture’s changing.
Recent data shows Boomers increased their use of AI for travel planning by 147% year-on-year. Many are on corporate boards, working as consultants, or in encore careers. They’re using business travel as a jumping-off point for longer trips.
A three-day conference in Cape Town becomes a two-week South African exploration. A board meeting in Singapore turns into a week discovering Malaysia. The flight’s already booked. The destination’s already set. What changes is how long they stay.
Here’s Your Key Notes
- Bleisure spans every age group now, not just under-40s
- When clients are already committed to a destination for work, the conversation shifts
- The booking patterns involve longer stays and additional experiences
Something to consider: If you have clients who’ve mentioned work travel in passing, it might be worth asking if they’ve ever thought about extending those trips. Sometimes people don’t realise it’s an option until someone mentions it.
The Data Behind the Trend
Global business travel spending hit £1.1 trillion in 2025, with bleisure accounting for nearly half of that figure, according to industry analysts.
Here’s what the research shows:
- 60% of business travellers under 30 have taken bleisure trips
- Solo travel now represents 12% of all travellers in 2025, double the 2023 rate
- Multi-generational travel sits at 28%, with some families coordinating around one member’s work travel
Remote work policies mean employees can work from anywhere with WiFi. A Monday-to-Wednesday conference in Dubai can extend through the following week if someone works remotely Thursday and Friday. Employers cover the flight. Travellers only pay for the extra nights and personal activities.
It makes destinations that might otherwise feel expensive suddenly more accessible.
Here’s Your Key Notes
- Bleisure travellers often book longer stays and upgraded accommodation
- The conversation tends to focus on maximising value from travel they’re already doing
- This type of trip planning involves more customisation than standard packages
Something to consider: When you know a client is flying somewhere for work, you could frame it around time rather than cost: “You’re already spending 12 hours flying to Tokyo. If you added three nights in Kyoto on the back end, it’s the same flight but a completely different experience.”
How the Conversation Might Change
Many independent agents in the wider industry approach enquiries reactively, waiting for clients to bring up holiday plans. Bleisure works differently because you already know where someone’s going.
The conversation can start from what you know:
For solo business travellers:
“I noticed you’re flying to Tokyo next month. Have you ever thought about adding a few days in Kyoto? You could work remotely Thursday and Friday, then explore over the weekend.”
For professionals with families:
“Your conference ends Wednesday in Barcelona. What if your partner and kids flew out Thursday morning? You could spend Thursday through Sunday together before heading home Monday.”
For remote workers attending company events:
“Your team retreat is in Lisbon for four days, with accommodation covered through Friday. If you wanted to extend through the following Wednesday, we could add a day trip to Sintra and the Algarve coast.”
These aren’t hard sells. They’re just options based on travel that’s already happening.
Here’s Your Key Notes
- Bleisure bookings often come from existing client relationships
- You’re working with travel plans that are already confirmed
- Clients sometimes appreciate when someone thinks proactively about their time
Something to consider: A simple outreach template you could personalise: “Hi [Name], I saw you’re heading to [City] for [Event]. If you’re open to extending the trip or bringing family, I’d be happy to show you what’s possible. It’s usually easier to arrange than people think.”
Workations: A Longer-Stay Approach
Beyond extending individual trips, some travel professionals are creating purpose-built workation packages.
These typically include:
- Hotels with strong WiFi and business-friendly workspaces
- Extended-stay pricing (weekly or monthly rates rather than nightly)
- Itineraries designed around work schedules (morning work sessions, afternoon exploration)
- Practical logistics (airport transfers, local SIM cards, grocery delivery)
- Optional experiences (cooking classes, cultural workshops, guided hikes)
Example: A 14-night Lisbon package
Boutique hotel in Chiado with desk workspace, strong WiFi, and weekly housekeeping. Could include airport transfers, local SIM card, welcome grocery basket, co-working space pass, weekend day trip to Sintra, sunset sailing experience, and cooking class.
Potential client: Remote workers or employees with flexible arrangements looking for an extended European base.
This goes beyond a standard hotel booking into something more curated.
You Might Also Be Wondering…
“Which suppliers work well for bleisure?”
Hotel chains like Marriott (Residence Inn), Hilton (Homewood Suites), and IHG (Staybridge Suites) have extended-stay brands with kitchenettes and weekly rates. Boutique hotels in cities like Lisbon, Bali, and Mexico City often cater to remote workers. Co-working providers like WeWork offer day passes and weekly memberships that can be bundled with accommodation.
“How would someone start offering this?”
You could look through your client database for professionals who’ve mentioned work travel. Build connections with hotels near conference centres or business districts. Consider developing one workation package for a destination with good remote work infrastructure. Share content about bleisure on your social channels so people know you’re thinking about it.
“What if clients don’t mention business travel?”
You could add a line to consultation forms: “Do you travel for work? If so, where and how often?” That single question opens up the conversation.
What’s Behind the Growth
Business travel is rebounding post-pandemic, with corporate travel spending expected to return to pre-2019 levels by 2026. At the same time, remote work policies are becoming more settled, giving employees clearer guidelines about working from different locations.
The numbers suggest this is more than a passing trend. A market growing at 17.8% annually through 2035 indicates shifting traveller behaviour across multiple demographics.
Whether it becomes a significant part of your client conversations depends on your particular client base and how often they travel for work. But it’s worth staying aware of, especially as the lines between business and leisure travel continue to blur.
Agent Insight: Bleisure travellers sometimes extend trips with short notice, so having relationships with suppliers who offer flexible policies and quick turnaround can be helpful. Building those connections now means you’re ready when those requests come through.
