Business travel in Australia is undergoing a seismic shift as corporate travellers increasingly blend work with leisure, sparking a “bleisure” boom across the nation. Fresh data from Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) reveals that Australian professionals are extending their trips, particularly in Queensland, which has become the epicentre of this emerging trend.
According to an analysis by FCTG’s corporate brands, Corporate Traveller and FCM Travel, the duration of corporate trips is lengthening, with four- to five-day trips experiencing an 18% year-on-year growth. In contrast, single-day trips are growing slower, signalling a shift in corporate travel preferences.
Cairns and Brisbane: Bleisure Capitals of Australia
Cairns has emerged as a leader in bleisure travel, with corporate travellers averaging an impressive eight-day stay. Brisbane follows closely, where professionals spend an average of five days, outpacing Sydney and Melbourne, where average stays are four days each. These trends underscore Queensland’s growing appeal as a destination where business meets relaxation.
Tom Walley, Global Managing Director of Corporate Traveller, highlights the appeal of these destinations: “Cairns is setting the pace for bleisure trips in Australia, while Brisbane’s unique mix of professional opportunities and cultural experiences makes it a standout destination. Approximately 75% of our customers are extending their business trips for leisure.”
Brisbane’s growing status as a bleisure hub is further supported by significant infrastructure projects such as the opening of the Kangaroo Point Bridge in December 2024 and the Queen’s Wharf precinct in August 2023. These developments have drawn significant construction-related travel to the city alongside finance, insurance, health, and social assistance professionals.
Sunshine Coast Shines Brighter
While the Gold Coast has long been a favourite, the Sunshine Coast is now taking the lead in corporate stays, with an average duration of five days compared to the Gold Coast’s four. Events such as concerts, sporting spectacles, and conferences drive this shift. Whether it’s Taylor Swift or Coldplay in Sydney, the NRL Magic Round in Brisbane, or the Australian Open in Melbourne, significant events increasingly catalyse extended stays.
Brisbane Airport: A Gateway to Bleisure Bliss
Brisbane Airport’s strategic position as Australia’s most connected domestic airport has played a crucial role in facilitating the rise of bleisure travel. Ryan Both, Executive General Manager of Aviation at Brisbane Airport, notes:
“Corporate travelers are spending more time in Brisbane, not just for conferences but to immerse themselves in the city’s vibrant cultural scene and enjoy quick getaways to the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast. This unique blend of work and leisure positions Brisbane as a premier bleisure destination in Australia.”
Hotels Capitalizing on the Trend
Crystalbrook Collection, which operates four hotels in Cairns and one in Brisbane, reports a 29% increase in corporate stays in 2024 compared to 2023. Kylie Brajak, Group Director of Sales and Distribution at Crystalbrook, attributes this growth to the appeal of combining business with leisure:
“When business travelers can trade spreadsheets for sunsets and laptops for cocktails, extending their stay becomes an easy decision. Our properties are strategically located in entertainment hubs, offering the perfect balance of work and play.”
Crystalbrook’s properties boast luxurious amenities such as pools and on-site dining venues, encouraging professionals to mix business with relaxation.
The Driving Forces Behind Extended Stays
Several factors are fueling the rise of extended business trips in Australia. FCTG’s Walley explains: “It’s about maximizing efficiency—rolling multiple meetings, events, or conferences into one trip. Health and wellness have also climbed the corporate agenda, and extending a trip for leisure is a great way to recharge.”
The 2024 GBTA Business Travel Index Outlook further supports these findings. Based on responses from over 4,100 business travellers worldwide, the report highlights that one-day trips are now the least popular, signalling a global shift toward more immersive travel experiences.
Bleisure as a Recruitment Tool
Companies increasingly recognise the value of bleisure travel as a recruitment and retention strategy. Offering employees the opportunity to extend business trips for leisure aligns with modern workforce expectations, fostering satisfaction and productivity.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Bleisure Travel
As Queensland continues to lead Australia’s bleisure boom, the trend shows no signs of slowing down. Events, infrastructure developments, and the growing emphasis on work-life balance drive this transformation, creating opportunities for businesses to cater to evolving traveller needs.
Walley concludes: “Mixing business with pleasure was once considered a luxury, but it has become the norm. This shift offers valuable insights for organizations looking to adapt and thrive in the changing landscape of corporate travel.”
Written by: Christine Nguyen
