As we move through 2024, the business travel landscape is undergoing a transformation marked by optimism, caution, and a rising trend blending work with leisure—bleisure travel. According to the latest Global Rescue Summer 2024 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey, over half of employees who frequently travel for work expect their business travel activities to maintain the same pace as in 2023. Notably, more than a quarter foresee an uptick in their travel schedules.
These findings present a cautiously optimistic picture for the business travel sector. “This is a promising indicator for the industry, driving continued travel growth,” commented Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies, a leader in medical, security, evacuation, and travel risk management services. Richards, who also serves on the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce, added, “In-person meetings remain a cornerstone for building and nurturing professional relationships.”
The survey results reveal that a significant majority (82%) of respondents expect their business travel to remain consistent or increase for the remainder of the year. However, nearly one-fifth (18%) anticipate a reduction in travel, reflecting ongoing concerns regarding budget constraints and the perceived efficacy of virtual communication tools.
Domestic and International Travel Trends
A closer look at the survey data shows that most business travellers (66%) plan to travel domestically and internationally, while 29% will concentrate solely on domestic travel. A smaller fraction, slightly over 5%, intend to embark on international trips exclusively.
Opinions vary widely regarding the pace of business travel recovery. While 59% of professionals predict that travel will match or surpass pre-pandemic levels, a more cautious 26% expect their work-related travel to be half or less compared to the pre-pandemic era.
The Rise of Bleisure Travel
One of the most striking trends highlighted by the survey is the surge in bleisure travel—a concept that blends business trips with personal or leisure activities. An impressive 74% of respondents reported extending their business trips to include extra days for leisure. This shift underscores a growing desire among professionals to balance work responsibilities with personal fulfilment and enrich their travel experiences.
“Vacations have evolved from a simple escape to a dynamic blend of leisure and productivity,” Richards observed. “Today’s professionals can seamlessly manage emails while soaking in the sun on a beach in the Bahamas, or wrap up a workday in Oslo just in time to witness the Northern Lights.”
This trend reflects a broader movement towards integrating work-life balance into the business travel experience, fueled partly by the rise of remote and hybrid work models.
Impact of Remote and Hybrid Work Models
The shift towards remote and hybrid work arrangements continues to influence travel behaviour. Nearly half (47%) of survey respondents are hybrid workers, dividing their time between remote locations and office environments. This flexibility enables more professionals to incorporate bleisure into their travel plans, further blurring the lines between work and leisure.
For business leaders, this evolving trend presents both opportunities and challenges. As work-related travel increases and bleisure experiences gain popularity, companies must stay responsive to their employees’ needs, particularly in updating duty of care provisions.
“Business leaders must be attuned to these changes,” Richards emphasized. “Understanding the evolving needs of employees is essential, especially as we navigate this new era where the boundaries between work and personal life are increasingly fluid.”
The business travel landscape is evolving as we navigate the second half of 2024. The optimism surrounding travel recovery is tempered by caution, but the rise of bleisure travel points to a future where work and leisure coexist harmoniously. Companies that adapt to these changes and recognise the importance of work-life balance in their travel policies will be better positioned to support their employees and thrive in this dynamic environment.
For more insights and to stay ahead of the latest business travel trends, visit Global Rescue.
Written by: Soo James
