Is Bleisure Worth It? Adapting Business Travel Policies for Leisure Time

As a travel agency with roots in the leisure world since 1986, we can’t help but get excited whenever we have a welcome listener to address a trending topic in corporate travel:

Bleisure!

As much as we enjoy solving complex corporate travel issues, most agents jump at the opportunity to customize a business traveler’s experience to accommodate a bit of relaxation, fun, and/or luxury. Making your corporate journey a little more like a paid vacation – while managing your travel spending and adhering to your org’s policies – is our happy place!

We also know some companies are interested in creating better traveler experiences – not just for executives and VIPs – yet must prioritize the budget, trip continuity, and duty of care. Allow us to help you weigh the risks and benefits of embracing bleisure.

Let's explore whether incorporating leisure time into business trips is worth it and how companies can adapt their travel policies accordingly.

The Rise of Bleisure

Bleisure, the combination of business and leisure travel, has become increasingly popular. As a leading corporate travel management company, we've observed this trend and its impact on travelers and organizations.

Here's what you need to know:

• Increasing demand: More business travelers are seeking opportunities to extend their trips for personal time.
• Work-life balance: Bleisure can help improve employee satisfaction and work-life balance.
• Cost considerations: Extended stays may not always increase overall trip costs significantly.

Benefits of Incorporating Bleisure

By embracing bleisure travel, companies can create a win-win situation that benefits both the organization and its employees, ultimately leading to a more productive and satisfied workforce.

• Enhanced employee satisfaction: Allowing personal time can boost morale and reduce travel fatigue.
• Improved productivity: Well-rested employees may perform better during business activities.
• Cultural exposure: Extra time in a destination can lead to a better understanding of local markets and customs.
• Potential cost savings: Extending trips over weekends can sometimes result in lower airfares.

Challenges to Consider

Companies can address the challenges of blurred work-personal boundaries during bleisure trips through several strategies.

• Policy compliance: Ensuring clear guidelines for personal expenses vs. business expenses.
• Duty of care: Extending company responsibility for traveler safety during leisure time.
• Tax implications: Navigating potential tax issues related to extended stays.
• Fairness: Balancing opportunities for bleisure across different roles and departments.

Adapting Your Travel Policy

Policies can be adapted to reflect different organizational cultures, from stricter policies focused on savings and safety to those prioritizing traveler satisfaction and freedom of choice.

• Clear guidelines: Establish explicit rules for bleisure extensions, including allowed duration and expense allocation.
• Approval process: Implement a straightforward approval system for bleisure requests.
• Insurance coverage: Review and adjust travel insurance policies to cover extended stays.
• Communication: Ensure all employees understand the bleisure policy and its limitations.

Technology Solutions

Several technologies are available to help manage bleisure travel, aiming to streamline the bleisure travel experience, improve efficiency, and enhance traveler satisfaction while helping companies manage costs and compliance.

• Booking tools: Utilize platforms like SAP Concur to easily separate business and personal expenses.
• Tracking systems: Implement software to monitor bleisure trends and policy compliance.

What About Expense Reports for Bleisure Trips?

Employers usually handle expense reports for bleisure trips by implementing clear policies and utilizing specialized tools to manage the process effectively.

Here's how they typically approach it.

Clear Policy Definition & Time-Based Cutoffs

Companies establish explicit guidelines for bleisure travel, outlining when business expenses end and personal expenses begin. This helps avoid confusion and ensures compliance.

Policies often specify the exact point at which business expenses stop and personal expenses begin, usually after the last business meeting or activity.

Separation of Expenses & Use of Advanced Management Software

Employers require employees to clearly distinguish between business and personal expenses. This often involves booking leisure portions of the trip separately, using personal email addresses and credit cards.

Many companies employ specialized expense management tools to streamline the reporting process, automate reimbursements, and ensure policy compliance.

Detailed Documentation & Approval Workflows

Employees must typically submit comprehensive expense reports with specific details such as dates, expense types, and corresponding receipts.

Companies implement approval processes for bleisure requests and expense reports, often involving multiple departments such as HR, finance, and senior leadership.

Use Data & Partnerships to Enhance Duty of Care

Employers clarify their responsibilities and insurance coverage during the leisure portion of the trip.

Companies use expense data to negotiate better rates with suppliers and analyze the impact of bleisure travel on employee satisfaction and overall costs.

The Riverdale Approach to Business Travel

At Riverdale Business Travel, we understand the complexities of modern corporate travel. Our team of experienced travel professionals can help your organization develop a bleisure policy that balances employee satisfaction with business objectives.

We offer:

• Customized business travel policy development
• Cost optimization strategies
• 24/7 support for both business and leisure components of trips
• Advanced technology integration for seamless booking and expense management
• And much more!

Talk to a Business Travel Advisor Today!

When implemented thoughtfully, Bleisure can be a valuable addition to your corporate travel program. By carefully considering the benefits and challenges and partnering with an experienced travel management company like Riverdale Business Travel, you can create a policy that enhances employee satisfaction while maintaining control over costs and compliance.

Ready to optimize your corporate travel policy for the bleisure era? Contact Riverdale Business Travel today to speak with one of our expert consultants!