As corporate travel evolves, the integration of bleisure—where business meets leisure—alongside sustainable practices is no longer just a trend but a strategic necessity for forward-thinking organisations.
Employers increasingly recognise that offering bleisure travel as a perk enhances employee well-being while also helping to attract and retain top talent. In fact, the Future Market Insights Report reveals that bleisure travel now accounts for 30-35% of the global business travel market.
At the same time, sustainability is taking centre stage, with businesses embedding environmental goals, carbon budgets, and carbon reporting into their travel programmes—ensuring that corporate travel aligns with broader sustainability commitments.
Read on to discover how to effectively incorporate bleisure travel while making sustainability a priority in your corporate travel policies.
The rise of bleisure travel—why it matters
Bleisure travel is more than just an opportunity to extend a work trip for leisure—it’s a key driver of work-life balance, employee well-being, and overall job satisfaction. Employees who can incorporate personal time into their business travel often return feeling refreshed and more engaged. In turn, this contributes to higher productivity, improved performance, and stronger employee retention.
Research indicates a growing demand for bleisure, with a significant majority of business travellers expressing interest in incorporating leisure time into their work trips. Companies that acknowledge this shift and implement clear guidelines can ensure fair and structured access to bleisure travel—avoiding it becoming an exclusive perk while maintaining oversight and efficiency.
At the same time, clarity in corporate travel policies is essential. Many employees remain unaware or uncertain about their organisation’s existing travel guidelines, highlighting the need for better communication. By establishing transparent, well-defined policies that support both bleisure and sustainable travel, companies can create an approach that benefits employees, business objectives, and the environment alike.
How to integrate bleisure travel into corporate travel policies
1. Set clear boundaries between business and leisure
Clearly defining when work obligations end and personal time begins helps employees manage expectations before their trip. Companies should also outline policies on remote work during leisure time, especially as digital nomadism and flexible work arrangements become more common.
2. Engage key stakeholders from the start
HR, finance, and legal teams should be actively involved in shaping a bleisure travel policy. HR’s role is particularly crucial in tracking requests and assessing the policy’s impact on employee satisfaction and cost savings. A well-structured approach ensures alignment with the company’s broader travel and workforce strategy.
3. Define expense guidelines
Employees need to understand which costs the company will cover and which fall under their personal responsibility. Transparent expense policies help prevent misunderstandings and ensure smooth reimbursement processes.
4. Consider duty of care and travel insurance
- Comprehensive travel insurance: Coverage should extend to both the business and leisure segments of a trip. Employees may need to secure additional insurance for personal travel, and companies should encourage them to review their coverage in advance.
- Defining duty of care responsibilities: Employers must determine whether their duty of care extends to the leisure portion of a trip. This includes assessing destination risks, geopolitical concerns, weather conditions, and healthcare access. If duty of care extends beyond business hours, companies should establish protocols for traveller tracking and emergency response. Additionally, employees should be encouraged to follow travel advisories and health guidelines, particularly if they stay outside the company-booked accommodation.
5. Address cancellation policies
If a business trip is cancelled, what happens to the leisure portion of the itinerary? Employers should specify that any personal travel arrangements are the employee’s responsibility. Legal teams can help draft disclaimers to clarify these obligations.
6. Clarify eligibility for bleisure travel
Eligibility should be based on a legitimate business need rather than proximity to a desirable travel destination. Companies should also define the approval process, ensuring oversight from managers or HR before confirming bleisure requests.
7. Maintain professional standards
Employees must uphold professional conduct even during their leisure time, particularly when interacting with preferred suppliers. Social media guidelines should also be reinforced to protect the company’s reputation.
8. Tailor policies to fit organisational needs
Bleisure travel policies should be customised to align with company values and operational requirements—there’s no universal approach. Clear communication throughout the policy development process is essential to avoid confusion and ensure compliance.
Embedding sustainability into corporate travel policies
Alongside the rise of bleisure travel, businesses must also prioritise sustainability in their corporate travel policies. As environmental responsibility becomes a core focus, companies should implement strategies that minimise their travel footprint while maintaining efficiency and employee satisfaction.
Below are key strategies to integrate sustainability into corporate travel:
1. Choose eco-conscious partners
When planning business trips, prioritise partnerships with providers that support sustainable travel.
Opt for accommodations with green certifications or EV charging stations, select ground transportation that includes electric or hybrid vehicles, and encourage employees to use micro mobility options like e-bikes for short urban commutes.
2. Promote virtual collaboration
The rise of remote work has shown that many business meetings can be just as effective without travel. Companies should actively encourage virtual interactions by providing employees with the necessary tools, training, and reimbursement for communication expenses.
Opting for virtual meetings, especially for short trips, not only reduces the organisation’s carbon footprint but also boosts efficiency and safety.
3. Introduce a “stay or go” decision framework
A structured decision-making process can help employees assess whether travel is truly necessary or if a virtual alternative would be just as effective. This framework should outline sustainability-focused criteria for choosing meeting locations and optimising travel routes.
Regularly sharing insights on cost savings and carbon reduction can encourage employees to make more sustainable choices—such as consolidating multiple trips into one or prioritising longer, essential travel to minimise emissions and enhance duty of care compliance.
4. Encourage sustainable transportation options
Employers should promote eco-friendly travel options such as public transport, carpooling, cycling, and walking whenever possible for work-related travel.
Providing employees with access to multimodal transport options—such as taxis, public transit, e-bikes, e-scooters, or rental cars—can help reduce reliance on private vehicles and support more sustainable commuting and business travel decisions.
5. Make travel policies more inclusive
A sustainable travel policy should also prioritise diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) to ensure accessibility and fairness for all employees. This includes accommodating travellers with special needs, using accessible formats for travel guidelines, and fostering partnerships with diverse suppliers.
Additionally, providing cultural awareness resources for different destinations can promote inclusivity and respect during business travel.
6. Support eco-friendly commuting choices
Employers should promote the use of public transport, carpooling, cycling, and walking for work-related travel whenever possible. Providing employees with access to a variety of transport options—such as taxis, public transit, e-bikes, and car rentals—can help reduce reliance on private vehicles.
Encouraging multimodal transport empowers employees to make more sustainable choices while supporting corporate sustainability goals.
7. Incentivise green travel choices
Employers can encourage sustainable commuting and business travel by implementing reward programs for employees who opt for eco-friendly transportation. This could include subsidies for public transit passes, reimbursement for cycling-related expenses, or priority parking for carpooling employees.
Recognising and rewarding these choices not only reduces environmental impact but also fosters a culture of sustainability within the workplace.
How businesses benefit from sustainable travel practices
1. Driving ESG commitment through smarter travel
Sustainability is now a business necessity, with investors, regulators, and customers expecting companies to act on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals—including travel.
By embedding sustainable practices into business travel policies, companies can demonstrate their ESG commitment, enhance brand credibility, and stand out in a competitive market. Prioritising eco-conscious travel choices can also play a vital role in attracting top talent and fostering long-term client relationships.
2. Cutting costs while going green
Sustainable travel isn’t just good for the planet—it’s good for business. Companies that adopt eco-friendly travel policies often see significant cost savings.
- Travel smarter: Prioritising virtual meetings over flights can drastically cut travel expenses while reducing emissions.
- Eco-friendly stays: Partnering with hotels that use renewable energy, and sustainable practices can lead to long-term savings.
- Offset and benefit: Investing in carbon offset programs not only balances emissions but can also offer tax advantages.
3. Keeping up with employee expectations
Sustainability matters to today’s workforce. Employees want to work for companies that don’t just talk about green initiatives but actively implement them—especially when it comes to travel.
By offering eco-friendly travel options, integrating carbon calculators, and prioritising greener transport, businesses can foster a culture of responsibility and engagement. It’s not just about policies; it’s about proving to your team that sustainability is a priority through real, meaningful action.
4. Futureproofing against regulations
Governments are tightening emissions regulations, with carbon taxes and mandatory sustainability reporting becoming the norm. Businesses that delay action risk financial penalties and compliance headaches.
Getting ahead of these changes by implementing sustainable travel policies now not only keeps you compliant but also positions your company as a forward-thinking leader in corporate responsibility.
Unlock the full potential of bleisure travel with Holiday Tours
At Holiday Tours, we recognise that business travel is evolving, and a well-structured bleisure policy should align with both corporate objectives and sustainability goals. Every choice your company makes—from selecting eco-friendly hotels to encouraging responsible transport options—demonstrates your commitment to a greener future.
Our team of experts works closely with you to create a travel framework that balances business needs with employee flexibility while minimising your organisation’s environmental impact.
Let Holiday Tours help you lead the way in sustainable corporate travel, making a positive impact on both people and the planet!
LEARN MORE ABOUT SUSTAINABLE BLEISURE TRAVEL
REACH OUT TO US AT +603 2303 9100 (PRESS 3) OR [email protected]
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