A new study suggests one in four workers are travelling more for business than before the pandemic, with many embracing the new ‘bleisure’ trend.
Business travel is back on the rise(Image: Getty Images)
A quarter of workers are now travelling more for business than they did before the pandemic, research has revealed. A study of 2,000 adults who have previously travelled for work discovered 18% have undertaken 12 or more business trips in the past year.
During that period, the busiest months for travel were May, September and April, with the average employer willing to splash out £165 for accommodation. Meanwhile, £68 was the average daily allowance for meals and transport.
The research was commissioned by Hotels.com, which has introduced a new business travel experience through its app to make work trips quicker and simpler to arrange.
The app allows business travellers to save work-trip preferences, locate business-ready hotels, rebook favoured stays and earn rewards on corporate trip.
The study also forms part of the global marketplace’s Booked for Business report, which discovered 48% of workers believe the finest business travel destinations combine work and leisure, reflecting what it describes as “the growing importance of ‘bleisure’ travel”.
According to those surveyed, cities London, New York and Paris epitomise this ‘bleisure’ travel trend the most, making them the optimal destinations for work-related travel.
Business travellers are also placing greater emphasis on the benefits they receive when travelling for their jobs – with 26% revealing they make a hotel stay “great.”
These include a complimentary breakfast (51%), room upgrades (32%) and flexible check-in (26%).
But when it comes to completing the job, 57% said access to high-speed Wi-Fi is a crucial priority.
Melanie Fish, travel expert and spokesperson for Hotels.com, said : “Business travel is no longer just about getting from one meeting to the next. Travellers want a hotel and destination that can keep up with both sides of their personality.
From high-speed Wi-Fi and an early breakfast before a big presentation to a great location and a comfortable place to unwind afterwards.”