“Bleisure” travel on the rise: how to capitalize on it.

Some call it “bleisure travel,” “laptop lugging,” “workations,” or simply “blended travel.” The essence is the same: remote and hybrid employees extend their work trips to include recreational activities or work during their leisure travels.

A NEW TYPE OF TRAVEL – AND TRAVELER

Vacations were something employees took between long periods of work. This is no longer the paradigm for many office workers with more flexible hours. From being a pandemic-only trend, the popularity of bleisure travel is on the rise. For instance, more than a third of workers plan to work during this year’s holiday season travel (up from 26% during the 2022 holiday season), according to a 2023 fall survey by consulting firm Deloitte. Significantly, remote employees who had planned to work while traveling during the holidays expect to extend their trips by up to nine days thanks to more flexible schedules. In other words, bleisure travelers are taking much longer trips than they would have if they had to rush back to the office. At Hello, specialists in short-term rental management, we naturally understand the unique needs of bleisure travelers. This blog explores simple yet impactful changes owners can make to attract this new wave of guests, turning their rentals into productive and relaxing Italian getaways.

Creating a Dedicated Workspace: Here are some examples that can be implemented in your property to attract bleisure travelers. Identifying the Ideal Space: Look for a quiet corner, an extra room, or even a balcony with a breathtaking view that can be transformed into a dedicated workspace. Furnishing for Functionality: Equip the space with a comfortable desk, ergonomic chair, and plenty of power outlets. Consider adding a monitor stand or printer; it can be a key selling point for many bleisure travelers. Lighting is Key: Ensure good lighting: a desk lamp and natural light options are ideal for focused work. Ensure Continuous Connectivity: Reliable Wi-Fi is King: Bleisure travelers rely on uninterrupted internet access. Invest in high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the property, ensuring a strong and stable connection for video calls, file downloads, and online productivity tools.

Facilitating Work-Life Balance: Separate the Zones: Encourage guests to leave work behind by creating a clear distinction between the workspace and relaxation areas. Embrace Outdoor Spaces: Highlight the beautiful Italian setting! Offer a comfortable balcony and/or outdoor seating. Create a dedicated relaxation area with hammocks, lounge chairs to allow guests to unwind after a productive day. Noise Cancellation: Consider noise cancellation features or soundproofing options, especially important for urban properties, to reduce distractions during work hours. By implementing these changes, your Italian short-term rental can meet the growing market of bleisure travelers. Imagine happy guests working productively during the day, then enjoying everything Italy has to offer during the evenings, creating a truly memorable work-from-anywhere experience.

Some interesting statistics on bleisure travelers: ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) data shows that Italy is at the top of the business travel market: in 2023, Italy ranked third globally and second in Europe. They found that bleisure travel increased by 17.4% from 2020 to 2021, by 23.6% from 2021 to 2022, and in 2023 ENIT – the Italian National Tourism Agency discovered that the bleisure travel market is so dynamic in Italy that it is considered one of the most important sectors of the Italian tourism industry, and this trend is expected to grow in the coming years.

• Perhaps unsurprisingly, New York City generates the most bleisure trips annually, with Paris, France, in second place (Statista).

• Annually, business travelers spend an average of 22 days traveling for work. The average business trip lasts 3.8 days (SavvySleeper).

• Before the pandemic, 57% of companies had travel policies that allowed employees to add leisure time to their business trips (Forbes).

• A survey by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) asked travel managers if they thought employees were more interested in combined travel after the pandemic.

• In the UK, 45% of survey participants said they intended to add a leisure element to their business trips in the future (Crowne Plaza).

• The percentage of business trips that turn into bleisure trips varies by country, with 56% in the UK, 65% in Germany, and 62% in China (Stratos).

• 67% of bleisure trips start as itineraries to attend a conference. 46% start as trips for external meetings and 42% as sales opportunities. Meanwhile, 30% of bleisure travelers travel for an internal meeting, and 5% list their purpose as “other” (Stratos).

• 17% of bleisure trips last 4 nights or more, 31% last 3 nights, 39% last 2 nights, and only 12% of bleisure travelers are away for just one night (Stratos).

• 32% of bleisure stays are made by frequent travelers who take one or two business trips per month (Expedia).

• 35% of bleisure travelers have company during their trips (Stratos).

• 36% of bleisure travelers have family or acquaintances at the destination (Stratos).

• Yasmina A. , Barsbold L.