The distinction between business and leisure travel used to be clear. Now, this line fades quicker than ever. More than 60% of business travelers now add leisure time to their trips showing a big change in travel preferences. This trend called "bleisure" travel, changes the hotel industry bringing both challenges and money-making chances for hotels around the world.
At Hotelogix, we aim to help hotels in every way possible. This blog will explore the world of bleisure travel in depth looking at its growth, effects, and how hotels can change to attract and serve this expanding group of guests.
Understanding Bleisure Travel
Bleisure travel combines work trips with fun activities. It goes beyond just tacking on a few extra days to a business trip; it represents a big change in how people think about travel for work.
Key Drivers of Bleisure Travel:
- Flexible remote work policies: The increase in digital nomadism and remote work now allows professionals to mix their work duties with travel experiences. This results in longer stays and more varied travel patterns.
- Growing emphasis on work-life balance: Companies now understand how important employee well-being is. This has led to more acceptance of mixing business trips with personal time. Employees can now unwind and check out new places.
- Rise of co-working and co-living spaces: These spaces are popping up all over the world. They make it easier for bleisure travelers to find good spots for both work and relaxation. This encourages people to stay longer and have more in-depth travel experiences.
Why Bleisure Travel is Booming
Changing Traveler Preferences
Business travelers these days want more than just comfy beds and good Wi-Fi. They're keen to check out places beyond their work stuff pushed by a bigger focus on feeling good and cutting down stress. This change is making hotels rethink what they offer, mixing work perks with fun stuff to meet this new demand.
How Remote Work Changes Things
Remote work has made business trips more flexible letting people mix work and fun activities. This change has sped up even more since the pandemic, with people putting together fewer work trips but staying longer to enjoy themselves. Because of this, hotels are seeing guests stay longer on average and want spaces that work for both getting things done and chilling out.
The Business vs. Leisure Travel
Bleisure travel gains popularity, but we need to grasp the differences and how both business and leisure travel sectors are doing.
Importance of Travel Agency Relations for Leisure Travel
Travel agencies have a big impact on leisure travel bookings. Hotels can reach more customers and get package deal benefits by building good relationships with agencies. To keep travel agents excited about promoting your hotel, give them good commissions, trips to see your property, and regular news about what you offer.
Working with the Right OTAs
Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) are key to leisure travel bookings. Hotels should pick OTAs that match their target market and give good terms. Staying updated with OTA trends can help hotels choose the best platforms and optimize their presence effectively. To get more bookings, make your OTA listings stand out in searches with great photos, full descriptions, and good rates.
Technology's Role in Leisure Travel
Technology plays a key role in the leisure segment too. Booking features such as promo codes, loyalty programs, and TA consoles make the experience better and motivate guests to come back. Add a simple booking system to your website, create mobile apps to help with reservations and in-stay services, and apply data analytics to tailor marketing and guest experiences.
Benefits of Catering to Bleisure Travelers
- More Money from Each Guest: Guests who stay longer spend more. Hotels can sell them extra stuff like spa days, local tours, and fancy meals.
- Guests Come Back More: When people have a great time tailored just for them, they're more likely to book again and tell their friends.
- Rooms Stay Full: Business folks who add some fun to their trip often stay through the weekend. This fills up rooms midweek that might otherwise be empty.
Ways to Get More Bleisure Travelers
Give Them What They Need:
- Fast internet and places to work for business stuff: Ensure robust Wi-Fi connectivity and dedicated workspaces to accommodate the professional needs of bleisure travelers, allowing them to seamlessly transition between work and relaxation.
- Fun things like pools, spas, and tours of the area for relaxing: Offer a variety of leisure amenities and curated local experiences to help guests unwind and enjoy their stay beyond work commitments.
Make Special Deals for Bleisure:
- Reduced rates for longer stays that mix work facilities with fun perks: Create attractive packages that offer discounted rates for extended stays, combining essential business amenities with leisure benefits to enhance guest satisfaction.
- Custom deals like "Work and Play" or "Business Trips for Families": Develop unique offers tailored to different traveler profiles, such as solo professionals or families, to provide a balanced experience that meets diverse needs.
Promote the Area:
- Showcase nearby sights and things to do close to your property: Highlight local attractions and activities to entice guests to explore the area, enhancing their overall travel experience and encouraging longer stays.
- Team up with local shops to offer special guest deals: Collaborate with nearby businesses to provide exclusive discounts or packages, adding value to the guest experience and supporting the local economy.
Use New Tech:
- Add easy-to-use mobile check-in, room service apps, and chat helpers: Implement technology solutions that streamline the guest experience, offering convenience and personalized service through digital platforms.
- Use data to make each guest's stay special: Leverage data analytics to tailor services and recommendations, ensuring each guest receives a personalized and memorable stay.
Hurdles in Serving Bleisure Travelers:
- Striking a balance between work and play needs: Successfully catering to bleisure travelers requires a thoughtful approach to blending professional and leisure offerings, ensuring both aspects are adequately addressed.
- Teaching staff to handle mixed business-leisure guest needs: Train staff to recognize and respond to the unique requirements of bleisure guests, providing seamless service that accommodates both work and relaxation.
- Investing up front to create amenities that cater to work-play guests: Allocate resources to develop facilities and services that appeal to bleisure travelers, balancing initial investment with the potential for increased revenue and guest satisfaction.
How Hotelogix Can Help
By using Hotelogix Property management system, hotels can offer personalized experiences that attract and retain bleisure guests, filling rooms and boosting loyalty. This approach positions hotels for success in today's competitive market by meeting both business and leisure needs seamlessly.
To Wrap Up
The growing popularity of bleisure travel is changing the hotel scenario. This trend gives hotels a shot at making more money filling more rooms, and keeping guests coming back. When a hotel brand figures out what these travelers want, it can come up with smart plans to stay on top in this booming market.
These travelers are looking for a good deal, so hotels should focus on getting rooms filled and making more revenue while offering a smooth mix of work and fun. Getting on board with this trend can set hotels up to do well in today's travel world.