Banish the boring business trip and embrace a blend of work and play. Enter the world of bizcations, a perfect mix of business and vacation and the term most popularly used to describe the growing trend towards business travellers tagging on a leisure experience before or after a business trip.
This is where an ASATA agent can add value as the travel expert, offering guidance on how to enhance your business trip with complementary leisure experiences. Save time and money by relying on your ASATA agent to find you the best leisure deals for your bizcation.
Although bizcations are nothing new, the introduction of Gen Ys in to the workforce, whose lines between professional and personal life has blurred, has meant increasingly traditional business travel is enhanced with a leisure experience, according to research.
A recent survey conducted by Hotwire.com revealed that almost half of American adults used their business trips to discover a new destination. The survey found that younger travellers, defined as 18 to 34 years old, were more likely to mix business with pleasure compared to their older counterparts.
A similar survey among US business travellers by SKIFT and American Express revealed that the chance to explore an area topped the list of reasons road warriors would turn a business trip in to a vacation. Business travellers also cite the benefit of visiting friends and family in the area as a key reason for extending their stay.
The growing trend of bizcations comes as corporates increasingly allow for more flexible travel booking guidelines, giving business travellers the opportunity to expand their travel horizons.
You may have little say about having to undertake a business trip, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of the opportunity to explore a new destination, particularly as hotels in these business hubs are often left having to fill their rooms over the non-busy weekend periods and therefore offer very affordable deals.
Otto De Vries
CEO: ASATA