The Rise of “Bleisure”: How This Trend is Leading to Higher Demand for Corporate Travel Security

As the boundaries between business and leisure blur, “bleisure” travel – where employees extend work trips for personal enjoyment – is adding risk to the corporate travel landscape. With approximately 60% of global business travelers now adding leisure days to their work-related journeys, companies face a surge in the demand for corporate travel security services and new complexities in fulfilling their duty of care obligations.

What Is Bleisure Travel and Why Is It Booming?

Bleisure, or “bizcation,” describes the practice of combining business travel with leisure activities, such as sightseeing or vacationing before or after work commitments. This trend is especially popular among Millennials and Gen Z, but senior executives and frequent travelers are also embracing the opportunity for work-life balance.

Key Bleisure Travel Statistics

• 54 percent of business travelers took at least two blended trips in 2024.
• The global bleisure travel market is projected to more than double from $315 billion in 2022 to over $730 billion in 2032.
• 78 percent of business travelers say leisure time adds value to their assignments, boosting satisfaction and productivity.

The Rising Demand for Corporate Travel Security Services

As employees increasingly add leisure time to business trips, companies must adapt their travel risk management strategies. The extension of trips raises critical questions about insurance, risk management, and where corporate duty of care begins and ends.

Corporate Travel Security and Duty of Care Challenges

• Blurred Responsibility: When does the company’s obligation to protect the traveler end – at the conclusion of business activities or after the entire trip, including leisure days?
• Increased Exposure to Risk: More than a quarter of bleisure trips involve higher-risk activities, and nearly 12% of bleisure travelers have required organizational support while overseas.
• Security Policy Gaps: Only a minority of organizations have clear policies covering bleisure travel, creating confusion and potential liability gaps.
• Traveler Tracking and Visibility: Without complete visibility into employees’ extended itineraries, companies may struggle to provide timely support in emergencies. 

Building a Robust Bleisure Travel Policy to Manage Risk

To address these risks and fulfill duty of care obligations, organizations must develop clear, comprehensive policies and procedures that define the scope of coverage and set expectations for both business and leisure segments of travel.

Essential Elements of a Bleisure Travel Policy

Purpose and Scope

• Clearly define what constitutes bleisure travel and when a company’s duty of care starts and ends.
• Specify which activities and destinations are supported or prohibited, especially as it relates to travel security.

Approval and Documentation

• Require pre-approval for leisure extensions and outline the process for submitting itineraries.
• Ensure all travel, including leisure segments, is booked through approved channels for visibility and security management.

Expense and Insurance Parameters

• Spell out which costs are covered by the company and which are the employee’s responsibility.
• Clarify insurance coverage for both business and leisure portions; advise employees when personal insurance is needed.

Safety and Security Guidelines

• Provide resources for risk assessment of leisure activities and destination
• Encourage adherence to travel advisories and emergency procedures.
• Utilize technology for real-time tracking and communication during the entire trip.

Practical Steps for Managing Bleisure Travel Security for Corporations 

• Educate Employees on the Risks: Regularly communicate policy updates, risk management expectations, and emergency protocols. 
• Leverage Traveler Tracking and Intelligence: Use traveler tracking and incident response tools to maintain situational awareness and support travelers in real time. 
• Review and Audit Travel Security Programs: Continuously monitor compliance and update policies as travel trends and risks evolve. 

Taking Action to Support your Organization’s Bleisure Travel Security

Bleisure travel is driving a sharp increase in demand for corporate travel security services. As 60% of global business travelers now extend work trips for personal enjoyment, companies face new challenges in risk management, insurance, and duty of care. To address these, organizations should:

• Develop clear bleisure travel policies.
• Leverage technology for traveler tracking and situational awareness.
• Regularly educate employees on security risks and emergency protocols.
• Partner with trusted travel security and duty of care providers.

Ultimately, as bleisure travel continues to reshape the corporate travel landscape, organizations must proactively adapt their travel security strategies. At Convoy Group, we recognize that the boundaries between business and leisure are increasingly fluid – and your duty of care doesn’t end when the workday does. 

Our team specializes in:

• Implementing robust travel security policies tailored for blended travel.
• Providing real-time traveler tracking and incident response.
• Ensuring employees are protected throughout their entire journey.

By partnering with Convoy Group, you can confidently reduce organizational risk and meet the rising demand for corporate travel security services.