Why Is Bleisure Travel – the Blend of Business & Leisure – On The Rise?

In recent years, the trend of combining business travel with leisure (Bleisure) has become increasingly popular. No longer limited to work-only trips, more and more travelers are extending their stays to explore destinations and enjoy a short vacation after their business commitments. This shift not only benefits travelers but also presents new opportunities for the hospitality industry. Let’s explore this rising trend with Hotel Link and see how hotels can effectively tap into it.

What Is Bleisure Travel and Why Is It Gaining Popularity?

"Bleisure" is a fusion of “business” and “leisure,” referring to the combination of work trips with personal travel experiences. This trend is booming as more people seek work-life balance and take advantage of business travel to explore new destinations.

Factors Motivating Bleisure Travel:

• Flexible work models: With advances in technology, many companies now allow remote work, giving employees the freedom to extend stays after business trips.

• Increased focus on mental wellness: People are prioritizing stress reduction and lifestyle enrichment, turning business trips into opportunities for relaxation.

• Cost efficiency: Bleisure travel helps cut down on costs, as companies often cover flights and part of the accommodation expenses.

• Evolving travel preferences: Travelers today seek meaningful experiences over quick sightseeing, favoring extended stays that combine work and leisure.

How Does Bleisure Travel Impact the Hospitality Industry?

Bleisure travelers have distinct needs that differ from traditional business travelers or tourists. They often require:

• Comfortable, home-like hotel rooms: For longer stays, they need both relaxing and functional spaces.

• Flexible services: Options such as early check-in, late check-out, convenient laundry and dining services are highly valued.

• Modern workspaces: Fast Wi-Fi, quiet zones, or coworking areas within the hotel allow for seamless productivity.

• Local experiences: They’re eager to explore the destination, join tours, and enjoy the local culture and cuisine.

To attract and retain this growing segment, hotels must adapt accordingly.

How Can Hotels Capitalize on the Bleisure Travel Trend?

1. Optimize Facilities and Services for Bleisure Guests

Bleisure travelers expect more than a comfy bed and breakfast. They want to stay productive while enjoying their downtime:

• Convenient workspaces: High-speed Wi-Fi, spacious desks, and ergonomic chairs are essential. Hotel Link’s Property Management System (PMS) helps hotels track and fulfill special guest requests effortlessly.

• Flexible service options: Early check-in/late check-out setups can be easily managed.

• Extended stay promotions: Use Smart Rate to set special prices for stays of three nights or more, encouraging guests to extend their trip.

• Wellness and family amenities: With Hotel Link’s Website Builder, hotels can showcase these offerings with compelling visuals and content to drive more direct bookings.

2. Create Exclusive Packages for Bleisure Travelers

• Work & Play Packages: You can craft bundled offers that include accommodation, breakfast, meeting room access, spa treatments, or local tours - all in one easy booking.

• Family perks: Offer discounts on second rooms or childcare services as add-ons during the booking process.

3. Enhance Guest Experience with Smart Technology

Bleisure travelers are typically tech-savvy and prefer seamless digital experiences:

• Streamlined booking and payment: A hotel website integrated with Hotel Link’s booking tool enables real-time availability and pricing for a smooth reservation process.

• Seamless online-to-offline experience: When bookings, add-ons, and guest preferences are synchronized through Hotel Link’s systems, hotel staff can deliver personalized service without repetitive questions.

4. Build Smart Partnerships with Corporates and Event Organizers

• Conference & leisure combos: If your hotel has event spaces, create bundled packages that combine meetings and leisure stays. Promote them on your website or OTAs connected via Hotel Link’s Channel Manager.

• Corporate discounts: Your hotel’s sales team can create unique promo codes and track their performance using Hotel Link’s reporting tools on the extranet.

5. Strengthen Content Marketing to Attract Bleisure Travelers

• Dedicated blogs: If you're using a Hotel Link-powered website, it's easy to update with new content, such as a blog post on “Workation Experiences at Our Hotel.”

• Leverage social media: Post short videos highlighting work-friendly and relaxation spaces to promote your hotel’s Bleisure appeal.

Bleisure Travel in Vietnam – A Major Opportunity for the Hospitality Industry

Vietnam is witnessing a strong rise in Bleisure Travel, especially in dynamic cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Nha Trang. The mix of vibrant business environments and rich travel attractions makes these cities ideal for Bleisure stays.

With its diverse landscape - from stunning beaches and majestic mountains to charming old towns - Vietnam offers endless opportunities for travelers to blend work with leisure. Coupled with affordable costs of living and accommodation, it becomes even more attractive for travelers to extend their stays post-business.

Emerging trends include high-end hotels incorporating coworking spaces, coastal resorts offering tailored business packages, and short tours designed specifically for Bleisure guests.

Conclusion

Bleisure Travel is not just a trend - it’s a major opportunity for the hospitality industry. Hotels must quickly adapt by enhancing services and refining marketing strategies to attract this valuable customer segment. If you want to optimize your hotel’s offering for Bleisure guests, contact Hotel Link for tailored support and the right digital solutions.