More SME employees than ever are extending business trips for leisure time, according to new research from Travel Counsellors for Business.
Its survey of 1,000 UK SMEs shows that 76% of respondents now typically extend overseas work trips for leisure or personal time – a sharp increase from 48% in 2024.
Of those who do, 57% extend by 1–2 days and 32% by 3–4 days.
Travel Counsellors believes this suggests a growing appetite for balance and wellbeing alongside business productivity.
The trend also extends to family travel with 58% of SME travellers saying they would bring a partner or family member on an overseas business trip, compared to 42% last year.
The vast majority (96%) of SME travellers report that they enjoy travelling overseas for business, with only 4% saying they never enjoy it.
One in five SMEs (20%) now actively encourage employees to extend business trips for leisure purposes.
Other wellbeing measures include reducing indirect flights (20%) and minimising travel outside working hours (18%).
Melanie Quinn, Director, Travel Counsellors for Business, said: “The move to actively build leisure time into business trips reflects a fundamental shift in how SMEs value corporate travel. Travelling for work is no longer just about productivity and profit, it’s also about people.
“Whether it’s taking time to relax and recharge after meetings, exploring new cultures, or spending extra days abroad with family, businesses are increasingly recognising that supporting employee wellbeing delivers long-term benefits for engagement, retention and performance, far beyond the bottom line.”
