Bleisure travel statistics reveal specific traveller behaviours that hotels can leverage to capture more bookings and revenue. But digging a little deeper into the numbers reveals that hotels should sell local experiences, reward loyalty, and maximise the value of every stay.
NB: This is an article from SiteMinder, one of our Expert Partners
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Over half of all business travellers seek to explore whatever destination their work has sent them to. This reveals that no matter where a worker is sent, or why they’re sent there, a sense of curiosity is a constant – most want to see what the local area has to offer.
Two-thirds of bleisure trips begin with a conference, which means businesses will look to book hotels with on-site conference facilities, while bleisure travellers will keep an eye on the non-work amenities. The best hotels will offer both.
Finally, bleisure stays are typically quite short – only one in six extends beyond three nights – so travellers will look for accommodation providers that allow them to maximise their limited time, potentially through organised tours. The good news for hotels is that, while short, these stays are numerous, with the average bleisure traveller taking a trip every two months.
How can hotels capitalise on the growing bleisure travel trend?
Keeping the statistics above in mind, what can a hotel do to capitalise on the bleisure travel market?
- Work & play packages
Business travellers want to explore the destinations they’re sent to. A hotel should actively encourage this exploration by developing work and play packages that give guests the opportunity to experience the culture, attractions, and experiences of the local area when their laptops are closed. Remember that bleisure stays are typically short, so any tours and experiences need to be run frequently and efficiently, and ideally scheduled outside of work hours. - Create flexible coworking spaces
With 67% of bleisure trips starting with a conference, on-site meeting facilities are a must for any hotel looking to attract these travellers. Your guests will also look for versatile co-working spaces with all the amenities they might need, so they can work efficiently and give themselves more time to relax and explore.
