They may be the youngest cohort in the workforce. Still, Gen Z are rewriting business travel rules with the enthusiasm of a gap-year backpacker and the strategic foresight of a seasoned executive. According to fresh research from Flight Centre Travel Group and hospitality heavyweight Hilton, the newest craze in corporate jet-setting is the rise of the ‘frolliday’—a friendship-fuelled getaway where colleagues-turned-mates (or “frolleagues,” if you will) extend work trips into leisure escapes.
And before the Boomers roll their eyes at yet another Gen Z neologism, it’s worth noting this is no flash-in-the-pan fad. Frollidays are fast becoming a fixture in the bleisure (business + leisure) travel calendar—and employers are beginning to take notice.
Gen Z Leads the Charge
New findings from Flight Centre’s leisure division show that 74% of Gen Z travellers are happy to blend business with pleasure. Rather than bolting straight home from a work trip, they’re lingering a little longer, adding a few days of R&R—or simply tagging along with a colleague-turned-confidant for a jaunt to the coast, the bush, or across the globe.
Flight Centre Managing Director Andrew Stark says it’s all part of a cultural shift driven by the values of younger professionals.
“This generation is much more adventurous and prioritises life experience,” Stark said. “Travel isn’t just something they do—it’s core to their identity. With work and life becoming increasingly blended, it’s no surprise that colleagues become trusted travel buddies.”
Work Mates to Soul Mates
The data suggests Gen Z workers aren’t just heading to Bali with besties. They’re transforming their office rapport into lifelong friendships—and using travel as the ultimate bonding experience.
LR – Eliza Woods, Natalie Farmer, Georgia Trainor
Corporate Traveller, Flight Centre’s SME business travel arm, has been tracking the evolution of the bleisure trend. Global Managing Director Tom Walley states that frollidays are the next logical step.
“We all know bleisure travel’s been growing for years,” Walley explained. “Traditionally, it meant solo time tacked onto a work trip or bringing the family along for a portion. Now we’re seeing colleagues pairing up to share the journey. It’s more cost-effective, yes, but also more fun—and let’s be honest, a shared trip to Queenstown beats small talk in the office kitchen any day.”
He adds that many younger professionals don’t yet have families, so they lean on workplace friendships to fill that social travel gap.
“These connections are forged in the trenches of deadlines, meetings and Friday drinks,” said Walley. “So when it comes time to take a break, who better to join you than the person who survived Q3 with you?”
Culture, Connection and Corporate Buy-In
Ironically, the post-pandemic return to office life has helped holidays flourish. While hybrid work is still the norm, many workplaces are placing greater emphasis on in-person collaboration. That, says Walley, is where the magic happens.
“Team culture is stronger than it’s been in years,” he notes. “People are reconnecting, forming genuine bonds—and businesses are encouraging that. They’re also recognising the benefits. Happy employees are productive employees, and if a long weekend in Byron Bay helps boost morale, who’s complaining?”
It seems even the C-suite is coming around. Several businesses now actively support bleisure extensions as part of their wellness and retention strategies. After all, a loyal employee is worth their weight in frequent flyer points.
Real-Life Frolleagues Take Europe
If you’re still unsure whether friollidays are real, meet Natalie Farmer (27), Eliza Woods (25), and Georgia Trainor (24)—three Brisbane-based communications professionals who met in their first post-uni job back in 2022.
LR – Georgia Trainor, Natalie Farmer, Eliza Woods
Fast-forward three years, and the trio are about to board a Flight Centre-booked flight to Europe for a month-long adventure.
“We started at the same company and instantly clicked,” Farmer shared. “We were all in similar stages of life—new careers, steady relationships, still figuring it all out.”
Initially, it was beach weekends to the Gold Coast. Then came interstate trips. And now? Santorini sunsets and Parisian pastries.
“People often ask if it’s hard travelling with work friends,” said Farmer. “But honestly, we trust each other more than some mates we’ve known longer. We’ve had each other’s backs through deadlines, heartbreaks and Friday arvo crises—so Europe should be a breeze.”
Eliza Woods adds that their office camaraderie made trip planning a breeze.
“We all work in the city, so we’d pop into Flight Centre on our lunch breaks and knock out parts of the itinerary. It’s been so easy,” she said.
The Hilton Factor
Coinciding with Flight Centre’s data, Hilton’s 2025 Trends Report shows that 1 in 5 colleagues are now travelling together, with Gen Z twice as likely as their older peers to pack a suitcase with a co-worker.
Hilton’s findings underline the broader lifestyle trend. For Gen Z, work isn’t confined to cubicles or leisure. Travel is about connection, discovery, and the occasional Aperol Spritz with your office bestie.
The shift also speaks volumes about the future of the travel industry. Tour operators, airlines, and hotels are already adjusting their offers to suit holiday travellers, offering flexible check-in, co-working lounges, and group discounts for professional pals.
A Win-Win for All
Let’s be honest—if you can spend eight hours a day grinding out reports with someone, chances are you’ll survive a week sharing an Airbnb in Lisbon. The friolliday isn’t just a new buzzword—it’s a movement reshaping how we work, travel, and relate to each other.
As Gen Z continues to blur the line between business and leisure, the industry—and indeed the old guard of corporate culture—would do well to take notes. After all, the next boardroom deal might just be struck over tapas in Barcelona.
By Michelle Warner
