The rise of remote working during the pandemic has accelerated an always-on culture, resulting in employees’ greater need to disconnect from constant video conferencing and the incessant ping of messaging apps.
“Our study shows that work trips are not only extended for extra down-time, but leisure travel also needs to be flexible and connected enough to allow for an element of remote working or working from anywhere,” said Ben George, senior vice president and commercial director, Hilton, Asia Pacific.
Or digital detox and enjoy a relaxing stay at the beachfront Conrad Bali, known for its holistic wellness experiences such as Sunrise Meditation and Sound Healing therapy — to help you establish rhythms of rest and find work-life harmony in the new normal.
Hilton Honors Members get to switch off after back-to-back conference calls with a 90-minute indigenous signature spa treatment at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, or soothe those muscles with a revitalizing 60-minute massage on the beach at Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa — courtesy of Hilton Honors point redemptions which enables travellers to mix business and leisure to enhance their stay all in one-click of an app.
● There is also the added stress of guilt associated with responding to work emails while on vacation, according to over half of the respondents in Indonesia (59%), Australia (58%), Malaysia (57%), and Singapore (54%), as well as 55% of Thai respondents who travel with younger family members.
● 43% of Indonesian and Malaysian travellers say they want to disconnect from work, but among them, 95% and 81% still spend some time working while travelling with family.
● Across all APAC markets surveyed, respondents chose sitting by the pool or the beach, booking a relaxing spa treatment, and taking a nap as among their top preferred activities if they had time to themselves on vacation.
● Employed respondents from Singapore (66%) and Australia (64%) cannot seem to switch off their work mode, despite saying they would like to.
Savouring the stay: For the overworked soul, learn to savour stillness at ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & Resorts – with activities such as summer stargazing, floating meditation in an elegant onsen-thermal pool, or slipping away into the luxury spa at the foothills of Northern Kyoto.
While travelling has always been an avenue for adventure, respondents have renewed desire to stay in and wind down rather than head out for more strenuous activities.
For the traveller who likes to mix work and play, check in to Hilton Sydney for a seamless stay in the Central Business District.
This highlights the importance of considering where you stay — where guests are taken care of to afford them the freedom to focus on what matters: whether it’s to work, relax, or enjoy the best of both worlds. Results revealed that the lines between work and personal trips had become increasingly blurred – with vacation time being added to work trips.
In addition to its proximity to the city centre, an array of award-winning restaurants and a spectrum of meeting and event spaces, executive room and suite guests can enjoy access to the executive lounge, which features private meeting rooms.
Whether this is a mindset nurtured from years of multiple lockdowns or fatigue from the stressors and uncertainty of the pandemic, it is clear that wellbeing is a priority for the 2022 traveller to be freed from the pressure of being always switched on.
This corresponds with extended stays at hotels, which offer an ideal environment for working from anywhere when it is preferred. Hilton’s booking data recorded an increase of up to two days in the average length of stay from 2019 to 2022 in the Asia Pacific—with Singapore and Bangkok taking the lead at five and four days, respectively. When you need to produce an inspiring presentation while on the move, it matters where you stay — the environment, food, amenities make all the difference.” Across the region, gainfully employed respondents would choose to do some form of work.
At the same time, travelling, with India (98%) ranked at the top, followed by Thailand and Indonesia (95%), Malaysia (81%), Singapore (65%), and Australia (64%).
The pandemic has redefined travel, and as the leading hospitality company, Hilton, unpacks its newest survey findings, travel trends spotlight how the past two years have changed how people travel and why. Modern touches include spacious workstations – fitted with ergonomic Herman Miller chairs and desks – and lounge access for executive suite guests. Located at the heart of the business district, work in elegant rooms or meeting and event spaces complemented with utmost graceful service.
At Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park, guests get direct access to a state-of-the-art convention centre, a collection of five distinct dining experiences, a rooftop swimming pool and a spacious fitness centre. Wellness does not have to take a backseat to work here, as visitors can unwind with an array of wellness amenities for when the Zoom fatigue gets real. This signals a need to establish new rhythms of rest and reconnecting, emphasizing why now, more than ever, it matters where you stay. The wellness space features a hydrotherapy pool atop Maldivian waters that are customized to target tension and increase circulation while boosting immunity and improving sleep quality for the restless traveller.
Level up your virtual background with dazzling views from the iconic Waldorf Astoria Bangkok. A stone’s throw from various retail and entertainment options, these hotels make disconnecting after work a breeze. Target aching shoulders with relaxing hot-stone massages from Alysium Day Spa or hit your movement goals with fully equipped gym and workout classes at Fitness First Pitt Street Platinum within the building. “More than ever, this puts the spotlight on the stay itself and what the hotel experience can offer in totality. At the same time, there is an emerging preference among travellers to make the most of the remote working flexibility that more companies are now offering. While the sky shifts to dusk, dip into Bangkok’s sky-high bar scene with a bespoke cocktail in hand at The Loft — you’re officially out of the office.
Written by: Jill Walsh
