Going on another boring work trip? Back-to-back meetings, boozy happy hours, endless small talk? It’s enough to make you need a holiday! So why not make the most of being away by turning your business trip into a bleisure (business + leisure) trip? Here’s how to make it happen.
1. Book your out-of-town meetings for the start or end of the week
That way you can spend the weekend at play and save your precious annual leave for another trip. If you spin it right, you might even be able to get work to pay for an extra night of accommodation (you want to be fresh and on time for that early Monday meeting!).
2. Clear it with your boss
Make sure your boss is in-the-know and on board. They’ll be reviewing your expense claim, so it’s best to be upfront and avoid any awkward conversations down the line.
3. Research your flights
Your flights will be covered by the business (it’s one of the best things about bleisure), but you don’t want to blow out the budget or get stuck paying extra out of your own pocket. Make sure your travel dates don’t result in airfares that are way out of line with what you’d have paid if you travelled only for work. Some weekend fares are cheaper than the peak periods when business people travel, so you may even end up saving your company $$!
4. One base or two?
To really give your weekend that holiday feel, move out of the corporate cookie-cutter hotel you were sharing with your boss and set up digs at a trendy boutique hotel in another part of town (maybe somewhere on the coast: think Sydney CBD to Bondi Beach). Or stay with friends – bleisure at its best!
5. Go OOO
If you’re taking a well-earned day or two off at the end of a hectic work trip, don’t forget to turn on your “out of office” message. Now you can relax…
6. Careful what you pack
Ditch the suit and get funky! Make sure you pack some casual threads, as well as your joggers, bathers, and goggles. Then get out and explore! Or not. Maybe just lie by the pool, order a mojito and a pizza, and chill. We’ll see you there 😉
Book your next bleisure trip!
