More professionals are combining work with leisure, according to new research from Heathrow Express.
A passenger survey by the rail service found that that 63% of respondents have deliberately scheduled business meetings on a Friday or Monday on multiple occasions, allowing them to extend work trips into personal weekend getaways.
The findings reflect the growing popularity of “bleisure” travel, as hybrid working and greater flexibility are making it more common for travellers to add an extra day or two to business trips for personal time.
Strategically arranging meetings at the beginning or end of the working week enables travellers to enjoy a weekend away without increasing the cost of the core business journey. In many cases, employees cover the additional accommodation and leisure expenses themselves, while employers pay only for the business-related travel.
There are also financial benefits for organisations, as travelling outside peak midweek periods may reduce overall transport costs.
Beyond savings, bleisure is helping to improve employee wellbeing and making business travel more appealing to staff.
The shift is also proving beneficial for destinations, hotels, restaurants and visitor attractions, as extended stays generate additional spending beyond traditional corporate travel.
As passenger behaviour evolves, transport providers are adapting their services to focus on flexibility, comfort and seamless journeys that cater to travellers blending work with leisure, says Mark Eastwood, Commercial Lead at Heathrow Express.
“We’re seeing more passengers plan their journeys to make the most of their time away, combining work commitments with a short break where possible. As a result, there is growing demand for travel experiences that are not only fast and reliable, but also more seamless and comfortable end-to-end,” he said.
“Our focus is on continuing to evolve our offering in line with these changing expectations, including through new enhancements such as Premier+ this summer, which will further improve the overall passenger experience.”
As the lines between work and leisure continue to blur, the findings indicate that today’s business travellers are placing greater value on flexibility and balance, with the travel industry responding to meet those changing demands.
