What are bleisure trips?
In an increasingly turbulent world, business travelers are finding ways to balance their work and personal lives while abroad. They like walking tours, hikes, days at the beach and relaxing at the hotel spa, among other activities.
While there are a variety of approaches to vacation travel, the most common involve adding extra days to the beginning or end of the trip or bringing loved ones to squeeze in some quality time between work and other obligations. We believe that if business travelers are happy, they will be more productive and the organization will see a better return on investment.
What are the benefits, for a business traveler, of combining work and pleasure?
As a result of the coronavirus, many organizations have adapted to a hybrid setup. Overall, a flexible work environment has several benefits; However, there are many advantages especially for bleisure travelers:
- Crossing time zones: Working remotely from a foreign country is a common benefit of business travel. The traveler can adapt to the time zone and perform at maximum efficiency by giving himself more time at the beginning of the trip.
- Reduced voltage: Combining work with pleasurable or personal activities can fundamentally improve work-life balance. The traveler may feel less anxious and have a better time as a result.
- Job satisfaction—If workers believe their employers value them, they may be more motivated to go the extra mile, which can lead to greater job satisfaction after the trip.
- Reduce emissions: When workers enjoy leisure travel, they may not feel the need to take that extra vacation later in the year. This not only saves them time and money, but also reduces their carbon footprint because they may not have to fly as much.
In what ways could your staff's bleisure travel help your business?
Making vacation travel options available to employees could increase job satisfaction and discourage them from pursuing other opportunities.
Boost morale and team spirit: Allowing employees to take a break and recharge on a vacation excursion ensures they'll be ready to take on the day when they return to work.
Offering incentive trips to current employees is a great way to keep them motivated, but it can also attract new talent to your company.
The likelihood of increased revenue is directly proportional to the level of productivity within an organization.
Customer retention: Encouraging staff to work remotely isn't always easy, especially when they have responsibilities at home. However, allowing your staff to combine it with a vacation can encourage them to take it and return when necessary.
- Trust is an essential component of any type of business tripsand visibility is key. Even when the person is working abroad, you want them to do a fantastic job for the company, just like when they are at home.
- Expense management: It is essential to know who is responsible for paying for what and how. While there is no universally accepted method, it is common practice for employers to pay for employees' airfare and expenses on workdays, while the employee is responsible for paying for expenses associated with their vacation.
- It is essential to establish lines of contact for the business traveler to use to check-in. Be careful not to micromanage or supervise the employee too much; There has to be a fine line between checking in and doing too much.
5 things to keep in mind when organizing a getaway for your employee
Evaluate the level of danger. If they intend to travel to areas considered particularly dangerous, you may choose to prohibit them from taking extended vacations. For more information on where your employees can travel safely, you should visit your country's official website.
While bleisure is fun, your staff shouldn't let it take priority over their work. For example, you might advise them not to drink too much the night before the start of a week-long conference if they arrive a day or two early. In the end, this trip is all about business.
Clearly defined policies: Before an employee leaves on business, make sure they understand your company's travel policy and agree on what is considered work and personal time. Business owners and travelers alike will appreciate the ease and security that comes from having a clear understanding of what is and is not covered in terms of expenses and traveler safety. To illustrate this point, if your company's travel business only offers assistance and insurance, you could advise your employees to obtain their own travel insurance for their leisure activities.
No matter how trustworthy your staff is, relying solely on a “handshake agreement” is insufficient. Companies run the risk of non-compliance, inflated costs and even litigation if they do not put their bleisure travel policy in writing.
Here are 5 tips for entrepreneurs on their first vacation:
Be smart with your vacation time. Ideally, your vacation excursion should take place on a holiday, just before or after the weekend, if possible. This is the most effective way to plan your vacation, allowing you to explore a new country for three days without sacrificing any of your paid vacation time. To avoid paying exorbitant amounts for flights and hotels, be sure to book in advance.
Why not extend your trip by exploring some nearby cities during your trip? For example, when visiting a European city, it is not uncommon to find another impressive and intriguing city just a short and affordable train ride away. Look around you whenever you want!
Be sure to research access points beforehand; Not all hotels offer dedicated workstations or have any idea where to set up a makeshift office. Take note of possible cafes in the surrounding area that have free wifi, a decent signal or even just a quiet place with a wonderful view of the beach before you arrive.
Pack like an expert. The original three-day work trip has been extended to eight days of vacation. Choosing the smaller carry-on bag instead of a medium-sized case will free up more space in your backpack, eliminating the need to wear your swimsuit under your suit. This is a simple answer to the seemingly insurmountable process of making packaging. If you're short on closet space, consider investing in pieces that can transition from casual work settings to more formal settings. This way, you can throw on a pair of heels or dressy shoes for a dinner with a client and then throw on your sneakers for a day exploring the city.
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