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Germany Warming Up To Bleisure

July 22, 2019

While technology is making it easier to work from anywhere and stay in touch around the world, the number of business trips is growing. According to Statista, in 2017, global business travel expenditures reached $1.23 trillion. This is not surprising, as face-to-face-meetings are 34 times more successful than email contact, according to the Harcard Business Review. 

But what does a usual business trip look like? Employees fly or drive to the destination, get into a taxi, make their appointments and return in the evening or arrive at their hotel late at night – there is hardly a chance to explore the city, the country or the culture. We collect stamps in our passports sometimes without seeing anything.

That raises the question what if it were possible to combine business and travel pleasure? This trend called bleisure (business & leisure) is becoming increasingly popular and is supported by more and more employers. Not only do they value the work-life balance of their employees, they also benefit from bleisure travels. Work becomes an experience, stress is reduced, there are time and cost savings on both sides and by getting to know the culture, the understanding of the client or colleague can be improved.

Nevertheless, in many industries strict compliance regulations prevent relaxed business trips: there is a strict boundary between business travel and personal experiences while on the road. Some companies go so far as to restrict business travel to hotels without a designated spa area. As the wellness industry also continues to grow, it is clear that a growing number of travelers are in agreement that there are many benefits to exercising or relaxing at the spa after a challenging day, going on a sightseeing tour, or enjoying a refreshing drink in a local bar at the employee’s own charge.

To support a pleasant business travel culture, employees, businesses and travel providers should work together closely and communicate clearly, eliminating the need for strict compliance regulations. With clear legal, organisational and structural rules, both sides can benefit from bleisure travels.