Why I’ll Always Say Yes to Bleisure Travel (and Why More Companies Should Too)

You’ve already packed a suitcase, booked your flights, and cleared your calendar; so why not stretch the experience just a little further? Stay an extra day. Catch up with old friends. Explore a place you might never have visited otherwise.

And I’m not alone in thinking this. According to CTM’s 2025 Millennial and Gen Z Business Travel Report, the next generation of business travellers rank experiencing new destinations and taking a break from routine among the top three things they enjoy most about work trips. It’s not just about the meetings, it’s about the moments in between.

So recently, when the opportunity arose, I did just that.

I was on the Gold Coast for a work conference, one of those events that’s fast-paced and exhilarating. Long days, full schedules, big conversations. It was everything I hoped it would be professionally, but I knew if I flew straight home the minute it wrapped up, I’d miss a golden opportunity: a chance to reconnect with friends I hadn’t seen in a long time. So I stayed.

Turns out, nearly half (47%) of surveyed Millennial and Gen Z business travellers in Australia and New Zealand are doing the same, choosing to extend their work trips for a bit of leisure time. It’s a growing trend that’s reshaping what business travel can look and feel like.

And here’s the thing: I came back to work better for it. Not just rested, but recharged in a way that a weekend at home can’t always offer. That simple act of layering a bit of life into a business trip did more for my mindset than I expected.

That’s the beauty of bleisure travel. Though I almost prefer to drop the buzzword and just call it what it is: a more human way to travel for work.

What companies might not always see (but should) is that these moments matter. When your employer encourages you to take that time, to say yes to an extra night, or to use your annual leave at the tail end of a trip, it sends a powerful message: that you’re trusted. That you’re supported. That your well-being is part of the bigger picture, not just an afterthought.

And when people feel supported, they show up differently. They collaborate more openly. They care more deeply. They problem-solve faster and serve with more heart. I’ve seen it, again and again, not just in my own experience, but in office culture. When employees feel like they’re allowed to blend the personal and professional in ways that work for them, it creates a ripple effect. That energy and engagement spills over into the way we work together and into the service our customers receive.

There are even practical perks. Adding a bit of leisure to a business trip means you’re not booking a whole separate flight later. That small shift has a sustainability upside, helping reduce carbon emissions, something that increasingly matters to organisations and employees alike (especially the younger generations).

But more than anything, it’s about showing that the people behind the job titles are just that: people. People with families, friendships, dreams, and tired brains sometimes need a break. Supporting bleisure travel is a simple way to honour that. And the return on investment? Happier, more engaged humans who bring that energy back into everything they do.

So here’s to making the most of our time away. To booking the later flight. To walking the extra few blocks to see a sunset. To turning a work trip into something that fills your cup, not just your calendar.

Because when work makes space for life, everyone benefits.

At CTM, we work with many of our customers to shape bleisure travel policies that support both business goals and employee well-being. If you’re curious about how this could work for your organisation, our team would love to help you explore the possibilities.