Bleisure travel is a relatively new travel trend that involves combining business and leisure travel. Bleisure travelers are individuals who take advantage of business trips to explore the destination, experience new cultures, and take part in various recreational activities. Bleisure travelers are a growing demographic of travelers who combine business and leisure trips As such, bleisure travelers have specific needs and requirements that are different from those of regular business travelers. With this in mind, let us delve deep into the things that bleisure travelers look for when planning their trips.
- Convenient and Comfortable Accommodation :Bleisure travelers often seek accommodation that is both convenient and comfortable. They need a place that is close to the city center or the conference venue, with easy access to transportation, restaurants, and shops. At the same time, they want to enjoy comfortable amenities such as high-speed internet, room service, and a fitness center. Bleisure travelers often extend their stay beyond the business trip, so they need a comfortable and pleasant environment that they can enjoy during their leisure time.
- Access to Local Culture and Experiences: Bleisure travelers seek authentic experiences that allow them to learn about the local culture and customs of the destination. They want to explore the destination's history, art, cuisine, and entertainment. Therefore, they look for accommodations that offer activities and excursions that allow them to experience the destination fully. This can include city tours, cultural activities, local festivals, and more.
- Flexible Schedules :Bleisure travelers value flexibility when planning their trips. They often extend their stay beyond the business trip, so they need a schedule that accommodates their leisure time. This means they require flexible travel arrangements and itineraries that can be customized to their needs. Bleisure travelers may want to extend their stay, or they may prefer to travel during the weekends to explore the destination at their leisure.
- Efficient Business Facilities: Bleisure travelers require efficient business facilities, such as meeting rooms, conference centers, and high-speed internet. They need to be able to conduct business effectively during their stay, without any interruption. Additionally, they may require printing, faxing, or other office-related services during their stay.
- Health and Wellness Services : Bleisure travelers seek to maintain their health and well-being while traveling. Therefore, they look for accommodations that offer health and wellness services such as spa treatments, yoga classes, fitness centers, and healthy dining options. These services help them to relax, rejuvenate, and maintain a healthy lifestyle while on the road.
- Safety and Security: Safety and security are essential for all travelers, including bleisure travelers. They need to feel safe and secure when exploring the destination or attending business events. As such, they look for accommodations that have adequate security measures in place, such as 24-hour security personnel, CCTV cameras, and secure entry points.
- Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Practices : Bleisure travelers are increasingly environmentally conscious and seek accommodations that have sustainable and eco-friendly practices. They look for hotels that use renewable energy, reduce waste, conserve water, and promote environmentally responsible practices. These accommodations appeal to bleisure travelers who want to reduce their carbon footprint while traveling.
- Value for Money: Finally, bleisure travelers look for value for money when planning their trips. They want to enjoy a comfortable stay with all the necessary amenities without overspending. Therefore, they often compare prices, amenities, and services offered by different accommodations before making their final decision. This ensures that they get the best possible deal while still enjoying a memorable and comfortable experience.
- Authentic experiences: Bleisure travelers are looking for authentic experiences that allow them to fully immerse themselves in their destination. They want to experience the local culture, try local cuisine, and explore off-the-beaten-path attractions.
- Work-friendly amenities: While bleisure travelers are looking for leisure activities, they still need to get work done. This means they are looking for hotels and other accommodations that offer work-friendly amenities such as business centers, meeting rooms, and ergonomic workspaces.
- Time-saving solutions: Finally, bleisure travelers want to save time wherever possible. This means they are looking for time-saving solutions such as mobile check-in, keyless entry, and other technologies that streamline the travel experience and minimize the amount of time spent waiting in lines or dealing with administrative tasks.
Summarily, bleisure travelers have unique needs and preferences when it comes to travel. They are looking for convenience, flexibility, authenticity, connectivity, work-friendly amenities, wellness options, safety, and time-saving solutions. Travel providers that can cater to these needs are more likely to attract and retain bleisure travelers, who represent a growing and lucrative market segment in the travel industry.