Tamara Ecclestone https://www.protemapartments.co.uk 2m 545 #bleisuretravel
The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
Bleisure Traveling in 2017
When you walk out of your final business meeting on a Friday afternoon abroad, why rush to the airport when you can start your weekend in a new city instead? Protem, providers of luxury serviced apartments in Canary Wharf, explain why turning your business trip into leisure will be all the rage next year.
Although not a completely new trend, 2017 is set to see an influx of ‘Bleisure’ bookings being made by corporate travellers, which – to those not so in the know – means business trips will be extended in order for delegates to enjoy some down time while they are away and soak up their new surroundings, perhaps even inviting their partner or family along to enjoy the experience.
With 6 out of 10 respondents to a Global Hospitality survey saying they were more likely to extend their business trips for leisure today than they would have five years ago, you might be wondering why this travel trend has become so popular.
First and foremost, it is cost-effective. Should your company agree to it, the price of your flights, train or bus fare will still be covered, even if you delay your trip home by a couple of days, meaning you will only incur the cost of your accommodation and expenses on your leisure days. What’s more, days spent travelling are exempt from your annual leave allowance when you travel with work, which means you only use your time off for the days you are actually there. The biggest perk of all? Flying your partner out to join you in a new location. Although, an American Express survey has proved that people are already onto this one, with 1 in 3 UK business travellers having already taken a partner, friend or child on a business trip with the and extending it into a holiday.
As a business owner, you might not be so convinced about ‘Bleisure’. Weary about extra costs and the impact of employees taking time off work at inconvenient times. Rest assured, there are plenty of plus sides for both the travelling employee and the employer. For starters, a couple of down days ahead of scheduled business meetings can allow delegates to overcome jet lag and unwind in order to feel well-rested and focused ahead of starting the job. Likewise, employees will be tempted to work into the night while away; incorporating leisure time into a business trip has been proven to boost productivity and allows delegates to gain fresh perspectives during the trip, which is important when conversing with new clients. Finally, extending the duration of a trip for an employee can actually save a company money by avoiding peak time fares on popular routes, and with plenty of airlines offering reduced rates for weeklong trips, it can often be cheaper to keep them out there for longer.
So there we have it. Bleisure, the travel trend set to take 2017 by storm.
Will you indulge in a Bleisure trip in the new year?
Protem Apartments are luxury serviced apartments in the heart of London. If you are heading to the capital on business, their serviced apartments in Canary Wharf are in the nearest residential building to the city and are perfect for those looking for a luxurious and convenient place to stay.
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