The majority of Americans travel for work at least once a month. A rising trend among this group is maximizing their time through bleisure, meaning combining their business trip with additional leisure time.
Staying informed about the latest bleisure travel insights enables travelers to make smarter decisions during trip planning. Skyscanner surveyed +1,000 Americans to learn about their business and leisure trip habits. Our study found over half of Americans extend business trips with PTO.
Keep reading to understand how the bleisure trend is impacting American travel habits.
Top bleisure travel statistics
- 83% of Americans turn their work trips into leisure at least sometimes.
- 55% of Americans use PTO to extend their time away.
- 59% of Americans are willing to spend more than $1,000 on a bleisure trip.
- 57% of travelers opt for solo travel, while 40% travel with their colleagues.
- 53% of Americans prioritize relaxation more than time with family and friends (46%) on a bleisure trip.
- 42% of travelers add two or more days to their business trips.
42% of Americans add two or more days to their business trips for leisure
Bleisure is increasing in popularity among business travelers, with 83% of respondents reporting they combine business trips with leisure at least sometimes.
Many travelers extend their trips with PTO, with 42% typically adding two or more days to trips. These additional days allow travelers to explore new destinations or take time to relax.
Gone are the days of grueling business schedules sandwiched between mind-numbing flights and generic hotel rooms. Bleisure travel gives employees the freedom to choose hotels, flexibility during non-business hours, the option to explore new destinations, take time to recharge and mix work and play.
Travelers are prepared to splurge, with 59% willing to spend more than $1,000
While cost is an important factor in deciding whether to extend a trip, our study found that 59% of travelers are willing to spend more than $1,000 on average.
Other factors for extending a business trip include:
- Leisure activities (11%)
- Convenience 14%)
- Safety (14%)
- Proximity to water (10%)
- Climate and weather (12%)
- Cultural attractions (10%)
- Accessibility (10%)
Major costs including hotel and transportation during the business portion of the trip are typically covered by employers, leaving bleisure extra funds to explore new destinations and enjoy leisure activities.
Traveler’s tip: Before factoring in employer-covered costs, create your budget with a vacation budget calculator. Remember to set aside money for unexpected expenses such as flight changes or higher-than-expected dining and entertainment costs!
1 in 3 travelers bring their significant other and children on business trips
One of the joys of travel is sharing unforgettable experiences with people around you. 34% of bleisure travelers bring their significant others and children on business trips.
This is more frequent among travelers over 30 (74%), who often prioritize quality time and relaxation with their families, making the most of both their business and leisure time. You can do family travel the right way with some advanced planning.
Traveler’s tip: Set distinct schedules for work activities and leisure to stay productive and make the most of your downtime.
Bleisure travelers prioritize relaxation over shopping
Bleisure travelers are seeking well-rounded, diverse experiences during their downtime. Our study found that most travelers prioritize relaxing (53%) and sightseeing (51%) over other activities, such as shopping (25%.) Some also seek to explore all a new destination has to offer, including cultural experiences (44%) and outdoor activities (46%).
If you are looking to relax, try booking a room at the top wellness resorts and hotels. Hotels with a range of wellness amenities and services often provide a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.
Besides spas, many hotels have other amenities to help travelers looking to relax. These can include:
- Pools and hot tubs
- Fitness classes
- Private beaches
- Yoga and meditation sessions
- Private gourmet dining experiences
- Green spaces such as rooftop gardens
Our 2024 Travel Trends Report found 75% of travelers say they are not getting the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep during vacations. Some hotels have responded to the growing trend of sleep tourism by offering sleep-focused amenities such as smart beds and pillow menus.
Traveler’s tip: Use website filters to identify hotels with the specific relaxation amenities you are searching for during the booking process.
Bleisure travelers more likely to go solo or with coworkers
The best travel buddies aren’t that hard to find in business travel. While more than half of travelers opt to go solo, 40% prefer to explore new destinations with coworkers.
Business travel with family or friends isn’t always financially feasible or practical. Exploring or unwinding with a coworker is a great way to get to know them better and strengthen your professional relationships.
Make the most of your work trip with these bleisure tips
Keep these tips in mind to capitalize on any upcoming bleisure tourism opportunities:
- Packing versatility: Opt for light, neutral layers that can be dressed up or down for different activities.
- Get more out of your leisure time: Choose flight times that give you more flexibility and time to enjoy your destination.
- Travel around holidays: Maximize vacation time by extending work trips that fall around holidays and weekends.
- Strategically schedule work-related activities: Plan work activities early Thursday and Friday to align with the weekend if you don’t plan to take PTO.
- Use downtime: Take advantage of your free time to explore, relax and enjoy hotel amenities.
- Align on trip goals: Coordinate your priorities with travel companions to avoid missing out on exciting activities while you’re working.
- Set a personal budget: Set a spending limit for your trip and estimate your expected costs to stay within your budget.
Following these tips will prepare you to make the most of your next bleisure trip. Skyscanner can help you find affordable flights that align with your budget and travel preferences.
Methodology
The survey of 1,012 adults ages 18+ was conducted via SurveyMonkey Audience for SkyScanner from September 10, 2024 through September 12, 2024. Data is unweighted and the margin of error is approximately +/-3% for the overall sample with a 95% confidence level.
Planning your next bleisure trip? Skyscanner can help you find the best flights, hotels and car rental deals for your next trip.
