By Dominique Van Wezop, General Manager at Radisson Hotel and Convention Centre O.R Tambo Airport
Corporate travel has made a significant comeback, with global spending expected to reach R27.3 trillion by the end of 2024, and projected to surpass R36.9 trillion by 2028 according to the Global Business Travel Association. In South Africa, it’s reemerging with a refreshed approach that reflects the changing priorities of today’s professionals. No longer confined to rigid itineraries and conventional meeting rooms, business travel in 2024 is embracing the “bleisure” trend — a seamless blend of business and leisure. This evolution caters to the growing demand for experiences that are both productive and personally fulfilling, revolutionising how we view work-related travel.
A big proponent of this transformation has been the shift to remote work, flexible schedules, and digital nomadism. The significant reshaping of the nature of work has also, unsurprisingly, changed the way we travel for business. Bridging professional commitments with leisure experiences, bleisure travel enables travellers to maximise the value of their trips. Whether it’s adding a few days to explore Cape Town’s vibrant culture after a conference or conducting meetings in a hotel that offers coworking spaces and spa facilities, the opportunities to integrate work and play have never been more appealing.
For professionals, this trend is not just about convenience. Combining work and leisure reduces stress, enhances creativity, and fosters a healthier work-life balance. Organisations are increasingly recognising these benefits, viewing bleisure as a tool to promote employee well-being and job satisfaction, which, in turn, boosts productivity.
Redefining Meeting Spaces and Flexibility
The rise of bleisure travel has driven a significant transformation in how hotels approach work-focused amenities. Traditional, formal boardrooms are being replaced with dynamic, collaborative meeting spaces that inspire creativity and foster engagement. From Cape Town to Johannesburg, hotels are integrating natural light, ergonomic seating, and relaxed breakout lounges to create environments conducive to productive discussions and innovative thinking.
These reimagined spaces cater to the preferences of modern professionals, blending functionality with aesthetics to enhance the overall work experience. Additionally, hotels are addressing the unpredictable schedules of bleisure travellers by offering flexible check-in and check-out options. This approach allows guests to customise their stays to fit their travel needs, providing the freedom to maximise leisure time or sync accommodations with flight schedules, eliminating the stress of rigid timelines.
Blending Luxury with Comfort and Culture
Hotels are going beyond traditional offerings to cater to the dual desires for productivity and leisure among bleisure travellers. High-speed Wi-Fi, state-of-the-art business centres, and coworking spaces are complemented by luxury amenities such as rooftop pools, wellness programs, and curated cultural experiences. For example, Stellenbosch hotels offer immersive vineyard tours to help professionals unwind, while still providing coworking hubs that enable remote work.
Simultaneously, boutique apartments and extended-stay accommodations are gaining traction, offering home-like comforts such as kitchens, laundry facilities, and spacious living areas. These accommodations allow travellers to settle into their destination, enjoy authentic cultural immersion, and maintain work commitments seamlessly. This blend of luxury, comfort, and connectivity positions hotels as key players in the evolving bleisure landscape, meeting the needs of today’s discerning professionals who value both productivity and enriching experiences.
The Future of Bleisure Travel
As flexible working arrangements become the norm, the bleisure trend is set to grow exponentially. Companies will continue to invest in travel options that support employee well-being while delivering value to the business. Destinations and hospitality providers must innovate to stay ahead, creating tailored solutions that align with modern traveller expectations.
In South Africa, the return of corporate travel signals a pivotal moment for the tourism and hospitality industry. By embracing the bleisure trend and reimagining the business travel experience, the sector has the potential to redefine what it means to work, relax, and explore in today’s interconnected world.
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