There was a time when most people drove to an office, worked 9 – 5, and then some. What happened at the office was meant to stay at the office. What happened at home stayed at home; business was business and personal was personal. At times there was an intermingling between the two – the occasional office holiday party or inviting the boss over for dinner, but generally speaking the two were separated and stayed in their place.
Not anymore! Kids and pets interrupt our Zoom meetings, we’re laundering our sheets in between creating spreadsheets, we are WFH, at our home office (or as the cool kids call it, our Idea Lab). Since there is no longer a separation between home and biz life, it only makes sense for it to show up in travel life as well.
Enter Bleisure Travel, which is Business Travel + Leisure Travel.
The word bleisure was coined in 2009 by The Future Laboratory. It became quite popular in 2016 and is now making a comeback. We’re not out of the woods on the pandemic, but we are at somewhat of a comfort level with it all and willing to move about the planet once again.
Reports show that bleisure travel has been embraced by everyone from entry-level to managerial. Employers feel bleisure travel is positive for them and their employees since it adds balance and wellness to staff travel. Staff experience less stress when they are allowed to bring along their families.
Hotels are on board and looking to attract the bleisure traveler by ensuring fast, reliable internet, working directly with corporate travel agents, and through showcasing both business and leisure offers and promotions; this may include additional nights at discounted rates, tickets to local attractions, etc.
Earlier this year I shared how Covid created a new avenue for meeting planners to explore – and this was adding attendee families to the conference mix. This trend is going to continue and become ever more popular! In that blog I shared helpful hints like choosing accessible budget friendly destinations that can accommodate families – rooms with 2 beds or that can include cots. Also, the meeting planner can offer family oriented before and after conference activities.
Need some help, ideas, and/or amazing insight into family-friendly venues. That’s where I come in ☺ Email me and I can get you going in the right direction.
