For letting the organizations make a connection with bleisure travelers, the main key is always having an understanding of their specific needs. From health and safety to tech solutions, All Over Trip in this blog will be exploring how the organization will be engaging and supporting this mode of travel that is a hybrid model.
Defining Bleisure
Bleisure, digital nomad, workcation, whatever way one wants to define it, but the blend of work with leisure is seen to be projected to be a trend that is continuous in 2022, and in the years after that. There is a direct proportion relationship between the growth of bleisure travel with the growth of the remote workforce.
An example of this is the recent research carried out on the future of work projects that in the next five years, 40.7 million US professionals will be working fully remote. This flexibility within the work environment as well as schedule opens the door for taking one’s work on the road, quite literally.
Whereas, it is important to be notified that a bleisure traveler is not a vacationer who all day checks their work email. Instead, Bleisure traveler has a purpose to travel and that is work, while they also set aside the time to explore their destination. This might look like a traveler who is paying their visit to their client, and then following their few extra days by tacking the shoreline, or a full-time remote worker that is there booking a monthly stay at a mountain cabin.
Of course, there further lies many of the workers who are not on board with the concept of bleisure and have their preferences sorted to fully disconnect from work while they are on a holiday. However, whether you are making your stay at a hotel, onboarding an airline, or travel agent, you must be aware of this growing style of travel that can help in giving an understanding of how best to connect with and give support to your bleisure guests.
Considering Bleisure Traveler’s Unique Needs
When you are there marketing towards bleisure travelers, you must consider what are the elements that are necessary for a successful bleisure trip. Even though bleisure traveler might have their interest in exploring their destination, they still do have work to look forward to and the responsibilities that they must cater to while they’re marking their stay.
If you are concerned about the prime example of a bleisure necessity then it for sure is strong and free WiFi. While most travelers might be there using Wi-Fi for little web browsing or streaming music, leisure travelers, rely on WiFi since it can either create their work a productive day or a highly stressful one. A guest, their stay, might require to hop on video calls, or a marketing freelancer might need speedy WiFi for editing and creating content.
Furthermore, besides a strong internet connection, bleisure travelers also require spaces where they can hone in and get their work done with true dedication. Hotel workspaces and conference rooms, along with different private accommodations like vacation homes, can let those travelers meet their needs.
While it is also important to consider that on long-term stays, bleisure travelers might also travel with pets or families. Amenities aligned with a productive, focused environment can add a great value to bleisure travelers whether you are highlighting hotel suites with work desks or pet-friendly accommodations.
COVID Safety Protocols Highlighted for Long Stays
It can be expected by the travel organizations that bleisure travelers can book longer stays, and they, therefore, should provide different helpful messaging with this in mind. Information such as real-time travel requirements or details regarding travel insurance programs can significantly help in supporting the guests.
Furthermore, for hospitality organizations, having clarity on accommodation cleaning schedules and protocols can also deliver peace of mind. In AHLA Safe Stay, The American Hotel and Lodging Association addresses these concerns. Along with detailed guidelines on PPE, air quality, and sanitizing, it is advised by AHLA that for minimizing the exposure, housekeeping should refrain from entering a guest’s bedroom during their stay unless they are personally requested by the guest or for adhering to the hotel’s safety protocols.
Also, it is to be remembered that bleisure travelers might have their interest in making use of on-site meeting spaces, or maybe more likely to make use of facilities like hotel fitness centers in conditions where they are there booking a long-term stay.
How to Engage Bleisure Travelers?
Travel organizations increasingly are creating programming that is designed with the bleisure traveler in mind. It is to be considered that engaging with bleisure travelers you are not supposedly a hotel. An example of this is that destination tourism bureaus can also offer great insights to a bleisure traveler by showcasing local coworking spaces, work-friendly cafes, and libraries. On the other hand, airlines can also create loyalty programs as well as destination guides while having bleisure travelers in mind.
Furthermore, there also is a leisure part of the bleisure. Bleisure travelers are always soaking in their destinations whether it is by attending a concert, exploring a national part, or it is a museum exhibition. It is to be remembered that for featuring the excursions that are doable on a balanced schedule, since the guest also has his work to do.
And, as for priority, safety and health of a traveler throughout all the communications should be weaved. Whether there are requirements by the destinations for the vaccine or restaurants with curbside pickup, providing the guests with the health-focused information can therefore offer confidence as well as support during your guest’s stay.
With the evolving future of business travel, bleisure is considered as one of the elements that for sure is gaining ground, and there are enormous opportunities for the different agencies from which they can benefit.