Will we see bleisure travel – where business trips are extended for leisure – become a mainstream feature of global corporate travel programs in 2026?
As highlighted in our Business Travel Trends 2026 report, statistics from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) already shows that 43% of programs now have defined bleisure policies, supporting employee satisfaction and work-life balance. And the global bleisure travel market size already accounted for $816.24 billion in 2025 and is predicted to increase from $961.78 billion in 2026.* With hybrid work models and flexible schedules, it’s possible to see that blending work and personal time can turn business trips into richer, more fulfilling experiences.
Companies are also recognizing the value of bleisure in boosting employee satisfaction, retention, and productivity. Our parent company Navan found that 54% of business travelers took at least two trips that blended business and leisure in 2024. And that trend looks set to continue as 89% of business travelers are expressing a desire to extend their next business trip to include leisure time.
The blended mindset between work and play could continue to reshape how travelers spend their downtime. This shift could also reflect broader trends in personalization and wellbeing as bleisure trips often include cultural immersion, wellness activities, and sustainable choices. However, companies may still need to navigate challenges around insurance coverage, tax implications, and policy compliance.
9 POINTS TO CONSIDER FOR BLEISURE TRAVEL POLICIES
Define clear boundaries between work and leisure
Clarifying when business ends and leisure begins helps employees understand expectations before travel. Employers should also outline policies regarding remote work during leisure time, particularly as remote work and digital nomadism have gained popularity.
Involve key stakeholders from the outset
HR, finance, and legal teams should play an active role in designing a bleisure policy. Including HR in this process enables Human Resources Information Systems to track requests. This can help measure the program’s success regarding employee satisfaction and cost savings. This holistic approach ensures the policy is aligned with the company’s overall travel and people strategy.
Set clear expense guidelines
Employees should know which expenses are covered by the company and which are their responsibility. Clear communication regarding expense claims ensures that employees understand the boundaries while avoiding unnecessary disputes.
Establish policies for cancellations
What are the cancellation policies for the leisure side if a business trip gets cancelled? Incorporate a disclaimer; employees are responsible for any personal travel commitments. Ask your company’s legal team to assist with the details.
Ensure comprehensive travel insurance
Travel insurance should cover both business and leisure segments of the trip. Companies should encourage employees to review and, if necessary, arrange additional insurance for their leisure portion.
Define duty of care responsibilities
Does a company’s duty of care obligations to their business traveler or conference delegate extend to their leisure time? Employers must conduct a risk assessment for each destination, highlighting any safety concerns. Include details on geopolitical unrest, extreme weather possibilities, and accessibility to healthcare. This is important as respondents to research for the International SOS Risk Outlook 2026 rated geopolitical tensions as the top security concern.
Establish whether the company will maintain its duty of care obligations during the traveler’s leisure time, such as traveler tracking, monitoring, and response to incidents. Encourage travelers to follow travel advice and health guidelines. If the traveler is not in the accommodations booked for use during the business trip, are they staying in a safe place?
Clarify eligibility
Make it clear who is eligible for bleisure travel. There needs to be a legitimate business reason for that trip and not simply because it is in or near a destination earmarked for leisure. Establish which individuals need to be part of the approval process for bleisure requests, such as team managers or HR.
Upholding professional standards
Employees engaging in bleisure travel should understand the expectations for conduct during their leisure time. This is particularly important when traveling with a preferred supplier, as any incidents can impact the company’s reputation. Additionally, employees should be advised on social media guidelines to maintain a professional image.
Tailor your organization’s policy
Each organization has a different view on bleisure and what constitutes working hours and personal time during any trip. No one-size-fits-all approach can be adopted. Tailor policies to the individual requirements of the company and employees. Clear communication is important throughout when creating a bleisure travel policy to prevent misunderstandings.
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*Source: Bleisure Travel Market Size to Hit USD 3,573.74 Billion by 2034
